O-Ringen Magazine, nr 1 2024

We’re staying in Småland 2025!
40% choose easy to moderate orienteering
What makes O-Ringen unique? The answer will vary
depending on who you ask, which itself is part of
the magic. However, most people would agree that
the orienteering itself plays a vital role. Here, we’ve
summarised the process of making maps, in particular
the maps for O-Ringen’s Jönköping project.
Are you a child who has just started orienteering? Are you
a junior who has managed to step up one or two difficulty
levels? Are you a recreational runner who enjoys just
the right amount of challenge on a moderately difficult
course? We have something for everyone!
We might as well say it right from the beginning; making a
map isn’t an exact science, more like an art within a certain
framework. Orienteering maps will always provoke some
discussion. There are many ways to interpret reality and
the chances are, you’ll come across something in the
forest that you think should be on the map.
Our goal, especially with five stages awaiting us, is that
the maps should be consistent. As a runner, you should
recognise the way the map has been made from stage
to stage, from mapper to mapper. It’s one thing for the
terrain to vary, which it will, but the basis for this should
stay the same. An open area or a dense one should feel the
same, whether you’re competing at Stage 1, 3 or 5.
So what should we do to achieve this?
Contracts have been drawn with professional mapmakers for
the five foot orienteering stages. These contracts include some
formal/technical requirements, for example that maps must be
drawn according to current norms, including requirements for
Level 1 events, in the latest version of OCAD and that maps must
be made at 1:15,000 scale.
However, it’s the “soft” side of the process that we are endeavouring
to make sure is consistent in the terrain. Together with the
designated map co-ordinator and all the mapmakers, we took a
walk through the forest in autumn 2023, before any surveying began.
We walked through the Stage 3 area and discussed everything
from open to dense forest areas, from boulders to crags and from
charcoal burning platforms to dot knolls. Spending some hours
together like this is key for achieving our aim.
Permission to start
After this, each mapmaker is allowed to begin work in their area.
After around 1 km² has been surveyed, the map co-ordinator visits
the area and comments on what the mapper should think about
for the rest of the project, as well as if any adjustments should be
made, all based on the what we discussed in that walk together.
The mapmakers can then continue and finish their work. There
remains the possibility to discuss things with the other mappers
and with the map co-ordinator. Then there’s a final check of the
map and the map is approved for use at O-Ringen.
With this way of working we feel reassured that we are working
to make consistent maps. We still have to remember that no matter
what we do, there will always be differences of opinion regarding
maps, and that’s fine – and all part of orienteering!
The fact is that 40% of O-Ringen competitors take part on courses
up to Violet colour level (moderately difficult orienteering). If we
choose to focus on levels Orange and below, these are chosen by
about a quarter of competitors. For us organisers, it’s important to
really take note of that. It can be easy to search for the toughest and
most difficult terrain when we choose competition areas but in fact
it’s just as important to look for areas that are suitable for easy and
moderately difficult courses.
What we look for is areas with plenty of line features. Ideally
more than just paths, so we have variety and challenge, as well as
a variety of point features. The terrain should be relatively open
to ensure both good runnability and visibility. The area should
be quite flat or only moderately hilly. The list is quite long and
it’s impossible to tick all the boxes every day but we feel satisfied
with the five areas we can offer in Jönköping, with variation and
challenge for each difficulty level.
On stages 1 and 2, which are
separated by a large marsh, you
will find fewer line features. Apart
from the roads and paths in the
area, the edges of marshes and
clear hills will have to be used
as handrails. These two stages
will also feature more variation
between the denser and more
open forest than the later stages.
Stage 3 might just be the perfect
area, with a mixture of well-used
forest close to town and mature
Småland forest. You will truly feel like you’re out in the middle of
the forest, while at the same time there are plenty of line features
to choose from. It’s “just” a case of choosing the correct path at
the junction and above all maintaining
map contact so you don’t miss one of the
small paths. Don’t forget to take in the
views on the run-in!
For stages 4 and 5 there’s a different
terrain type. The forest opens up in a
different way and the contour shapes
are different, with more medium to
large hills. It’s definitely time to wonder
whether you should run over or round!
Stage 3. Stage 4.
MTBO and Trail-O
Photo: Peter Holgersson.
Mapmakers for O-Ringen Jönköping 2025
For foot orienteering
• Stages 1 and 2: Egidijus Koukenys
• Stage 3 and Sprint areas: Håkan Öhlund
• Stages 4 and 5: Jerker Boman and Karl-Erik Engblom
Map co-ordinator: Christer Carlsson
Are you tempted to try MTBO or Trail-O? How about giving
it a go and seeing how it works?
Each discipline will have five days of competition at O-Ringen
2025 in Jönköping. You can take part for the whole week or choose
one or more individual stages.
For anyone who wants to try something new, there will be
chance to do this on the activity day. On this day the MTBO and
Trail-O will have the same arena, which means you can try both,
or if your family want to try different ones you can easily do this at
the same time. Come and try it!
Jönköping is famous for being a cycling city. Vätternrundan
passes through here and there are mountain bike arenas at both
the IKHP clubhouse and Hallbystugan, for example. This gives us a
wonderful opportunity to offer competitors great variety, from easy
to technical cycling on flat to steep ground.
O-Ringen stages 1, 4 and 5 will use the same arena as the foot
orienteering, however there will be a remote finish on stages 1 and
5. We’re focusing on community!
For the Trail-O, the aim is to use just three arenas, while making
sure there is a good variety of controls. The arenas will be in or
near Jönköping but the exact locations will be secret for a while
longer. The maps are now being made. Exciting!
74 O-RINGEN MAGAZINE NO. 1 • 2024 O-RINGEN MAGAZINE NO. 1 • 2024 75