O-Ringen Magazine, nr 1 2024

Arvid and Nora analyse easy and
moderately difficult route choice legs
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ARVID STARK
NORA STARK
In order to find out how juniors and recreational runners
on easier and moderately difficult courses should think
about route choice, we’ve enlisted the help of Arvid,
16, and Nora, 14. They are two strong young orienteers
from Västerviks OK who know how to tackle the terrain,
maps and route choices on the Småland coast. They’re
not strong just because they both have the surname
Stark (Swedish for “strong”) but because they have both
improved a lot as orienteers in recent years and are often
successful in local competitions.
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STAGE 4, EASY (NORA STARK)
I can see two options here. I would choose the green one, as
running to the left seems to avoid the climb. There are clear
contour features on the route and a good way into the control
along the wall.
The blue route has easy orienteering and is quick. It’s a bit
longer so I don’t think it’s the quickest, though the approach to
the control is easy.
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STAGE 3, EASY (NORA STARK)
The green option has both easy running and easy orienteering.
It has a lot of paths and an easy approach to the
control.
The red option also features lots of path running, as well
as an easy way to the control from the path. I don’t think it’s
quickest, though, and I would choose the green route.
The red route is the shortest but I think it’s slower as it includes
more tricky map-reading. It’s also more difficult to run
through the marshes, and this route has more climb.
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STAGE 3, MODERATE (NORA STARK)
My choice is the green one, following the stream to the path
and then the path all the way to the control.
The red option, straight, has a lot of climb as well as the
most orienteering and the approach to the control is more
challenging. I would avoid this route.
The third option is the blue one. It’s straighter than the
green one but also has a lot of path running, although the
collecting features are a bit harder to use.
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STAGE 3, DIFFICULT (ARVID STARK)
Blue: I think this is the easiest option as you pass clear collecting
features from start to finish. This route also has some path
running, which is good if you’re tired. I think this is also the route
with the least climb.
Green: This route choice is my favourite. You’re close to the
red line and pass clear features all the way. This makes the route
choice easy to execute.
Red: This route is both challenging and easy. At the start you
have to get over the hills and crags, then you need a good bearing
to find the right path. Once you’re out on the path you just
have to run.
STAGE 4, MODERATE (ARVID STARK)
Green: This option is my favourite. You stay just to the left of
the red line, passing clear features. Under the power line, at
the corner of the green, there’s a small, open hill. You then
follow the contour round until you come to a boulder between
two hills. Then there’s a large boulder to act as an attack point
on the edge of the circle.
Red: This choice is a bit shorter than going left but there’s
much more climb.
Blue: On the way out from the control you go under a ruin
and follow the shape of the hill above the light green forest.
After that, go up between the two crags to the open marsh.
Your attack point is the boulder to the east of the hill in the
circle. This choice is probably the least runnable.
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36 O-RINGEN MAGAZINE NO. 1 • 2024 O-RINGEN MAGAZINE NO. 1 • 2024 37