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Rogaining

Rogaining is an orienteering sport of long distance cross-country navigation, involving both route planning and navigation between checkpoints using a variety of map types. In a rogaine, teams of 2–5 people choose which checkpoints to visit within a time limit with the intent of maximizing their score. Teamwork, endurance, competition and an appreciation for the natural environment are features of the sport. Championship rogaines are 24 hours long, but rogaines can be as short as two hours.

Types of Rogaine
According to the duration of the control time, the rogaine competitions are divided into:

short: 3-5 hours;
average: 6-11 hours;
long: 12-23 hours;
classical: 24 hours.

By the way the teams move around the rogaine competition are divided into the following types:

Rogaining running;
rougaine on skis;
Rogaining on a bicycle.
Rogaining competitions can also be conducted using other means of movement of participants that do not contradict the essence of the Rogaine, for example, water rogains with movement of teams on kayaks are held.

Depending on the control time and mode of movement, competition formats (disciplines) are formed, for example “rogaine 12 hours run” or “rouge 6 hours on a bicycle”.

World, European and Russian championships in Rogaining run are held with a control time of 24 hours.

Basic play
Teams of two to five members visit as many checkpoints as possible in the time allowed. Shorter duration rogaines often allow solo competitors. Checkpoints are scored differently depending on level of difficulty in reaching them; therefore teams choose a strategy (for example, to visit many low score checkpoints). Teams travel entirely on foot, navigating by map and compass between checkpoints in terrain that varies from open farmland to hilly forest. A central base camp known as a “hash house” provides hot meals throughout the event and teams may return at any time to eat, rest or sleep. Teams travel at their own pace and anyone from children to grandparents can experience the personal satisfaction that comes from cross-country navigation at their own level of competition and comfort. Team members stay within earshot of each other.

The duration of a championship rogaine is 24 hours, but shorter variations such as 3-, 6-, 8-, 12- and 15-hour events are also held (sometimes concurrently with a 24-hour event). Depending on the terrain, experienced rogaining teams can cover more than one hundred kilometers over the 24-hour period. There have also been longer events (dubbed “Endurogaines”) lasting 48 and 50 hours. In their native Australia, rogaines are usually held every month during weekends near full moons, with annual state championships and an annual national championship. They require dozens of volunteers to run, including course setters and caterers and are often attended by hundreds of participants. A competitive 24-hour rogaine requires a map area of around 250 km2 (c. 100 mi2), for relatively flat terrain; terrain with significant climbs may require far less or far more area, depending on the placement of checkpoints.

Rules of the Rogaine
International rogaine rules are developed and approved by the International Rogaining Federation. International rules are applied when holding World Championships, Europe and other international competitions, as well as competitions being qualifying for the world championships.

In Russia, the Russian rules of Rogaining competitions are in effect, developed and approved by the Roggein Federation of Russia.

Teams and members
In the Rogaining competitions, teams consisting of two, three, four or five people take part. Depending on the gender of the participants, all teams are divided into groups :

“Men’s teams” – the team consists only of men;
“Women’s teams” – the team consists only of women;
“Mixed teams” – the team includes at least one woman and one man.

Depending on the age of participants, all teams are included in groups :

“Open group” – the age of participants is not regulated. This group includes all teams.
“Youth” – all team members must be under 23 years old on the first day of the competition.
“Veterans” – all team members must be at the age of 40 or older on the first day of the competition.
“Super Veterans” – all team members must be 55 years of age or older on the first day of the competition. Teams that are members of the group “Super Veterans” are also included in the group “Veterans”.
“Ultraveterans” – all team members must be 65 years of age or older on the first day of the competition. Teams that are members of the group “Ultraveterans” are also included in the group “Veterans” and in the group “Super Veterans”.

Places in Rogaining competitions are awarded in several categories, depending on the gender and age of the participants in the team .

Variants
Other forms of rogaining are popular, particularly in Australia during the months when normal rogaines are not held because of the weather. Popular variations include:

Metrogaine: An event of usually around 6 hours and held in predominantly urban areas.
Cyclogaine: Usually run for six hours in areas with trails suitable for mountainbiking.
Snogaine: Held in areas that are snowbound and participants may either snowshoe or ski to reach checkpoints.
Paddlogaine: A rogaine on a water covered area, such as a set of interconnected lakes. Participants can generally use any human-powered watercraft.

Allowed and prohibited actions of teams and participants

Competitors are required to do :

observe the rules of rogaine;
plan and implement their path in accordance with their level of physical and technical preparedness;
Assist other participants in the event they are injured or in a condition that threatens their life and health;
during the competition, constantly wear the number issued in the competition secretariat, so that it is clearly distinguishable by the judges and other participants;
in the case of the organizer’s demand for the availability of compulsory equipment, to have it with him during the competition;
during the competition, be constantly in the voice contact with other members of his team;
All the equipment or equipment brought from the center of the competition back to the competition center.

Participants of the competition are prohibited :

To take dope, use forbidden pharmacological means, forbidden methods, artificially enhancing the capabilities of the human body;
Announced area of the competition;
go out to the competition area before the competition starts;
during the competition to apply any means of transportation, except for those provided for the format of the competition in which they participate. This rule does not exclude the possibility of participants crossing water bodies, even if it requires swimming, provided that water objects were not prohibited for crossing;
to carry with you during the competition any navigation equipment (satellite navigation receivers, altimeters, pedometers, etc.), including built-in (in mobile phones, clocks, etc.), with the exception of a magnetic compass, an ordinary clock and a card issued by the organizers;
use when planning the route and carry along during the competition other cartographic materials, except for the card issued by the organizers;
Use mobile communication and other radio receiving and transmitting devices, except for situations that threaten the life and health of participants;
Use other means for planning the route, except for the means for measuring distance and scoring. In particular, it is forbidden to use computers and special programs for route planning;
to spoil the equipment of control points, food points or any other equipment placed in the competition area by the organizers;
To build bonfires in the competition area, except for situations that threaten the life and health of participants;
cross and visit closed for movement and dangerous sections of the competition area, as well as areas in private ownership;
leave garbage in the area of the competition, except for places specially designated for this purpose by the organizers;
before the start of the competition, leave food, equipment or equipment in the competition area, except for the competition center, for the purpose of their subsequent use during the competition;
take help or cooperate with others during the planning of the route or at a distance, or intentionally follow another team;
rest more than 100 meters from the control point, except when the control point is combined with the power point.

The competition area and the location of checkpoints
Competition area in Rogaine – a land area on which the competition is held, the area, safety requirements and other parameters suitable for Rogaining competition.

The area of the competition area is determined and the location of the control points is planned by the organizers of the competitions, taking into account the format of the competitions (the control time of the competitions, the way of movement of the teams), the level of preparedness of the teams, the type (patency and intersection) of the competition area.

According to the rogaine rules, the area of the competition area, the number, cost and location of control points should be planned so that the team that scored the most points in a certain format of the competition visited most of the control points indicated on the map for this format, but not all checkpoints .

The location of control points is planned so that for successful performance in competitions the participants needed physical endurance, the ability to plan a route and master the methods of navigation on the terrain.

The competition center (the place of start and finish of the competition) is located, if possible, in the center of the competition area. The location of the competition center and control points should ensure that there are many possible options for passing checkpoints by teams.

Competition map
The map in the Rogaining competition is a special prepared for the competition area scheme with designated checkpoints and the competition center.

For a rogainers used map scale of 1: 25,000 to 1: 50,000. When holding competitions with a control time of 3 to 6 hours, it is possible to use maps of a larger scale, and when running a bicycle competition with a control time of 12 hours to 24 hours, a smaller scale. The map should have a section of the relief no more than 20 meters, ensuring the accuracy of the relief reading by the participants on the map. The map should be colored and easy to read with both artificial and natural lighting.

The map shows the scale, the section of the relief, the lines of the magnetic meridian are applied and the checkpoints and the competition center are indicated by a purple (red, purple) color.

The accuracy of the map and the reliability of the mapping of the terrain objects should be such that the teams when driving through the district of the competition would not receive an advantage or, conversely, would not be in worse conditions if this can not be assessed in competitive conditions based on information obtained with the help of the map.

The competition map is given to each participant of the competition, regardless of the number of participants in one team. Cards issued to participants must be protected from moisture.

The applied system of conventional signs, which depicts objects on the map, is notified in advance to the participants of the competition .

Checkpoints
The checkpoint (KP) is the point on the terrain in the competition area, equipped in accordance with the Rules and indicated on the competition map.

Control points should be located on the objects marked on the map and clearly identifiable in the terrain. The location of the control point must be uniquely determined by means of a map and a legend.

The control point on the terrain is marked with a triangular prism symbol with a side of 30×30 cm. Each face is divided by a diagonal from the bottom left to the upper right corner into a white field at the top and orange (red) at the bottom. Control points are equipped with marking means, which should be in the immediate vicinity of the prism. The designation (number) of the control point is applied to the prism and (or) means of marking. If part of the duration of the competition falls on the dark time of the day, checkpoints can be equipped with light-reflecting materials .

Each control point is given a unique designation (number) – a two-digit or three-digit number, which is indicated on the map and on the equipment of the control point on the ground. Also, each control point is assigned a value – a number indicating the number of points that the team receives for visiting the control point. The first digit in the two-digit, or the first two digits in the three-digit, designation (number) of the control point shows the cost of this control point, for example, KP 35 – 3 points, KP 107 – 10 points .

When assigning value to control points, account is taken of:

The complexity and accuracy of navigation that is required from the teams to take a checkpoint;
inaccessibility of the place where the item is located (for example, the point is located on the top of a high mountain);
distance from the competition center;
distance from neighboring control points.
The exact location of control points on the terrain is described using legends. The description of the location of checkpoints is given in verbal form, in a manner understandable to any person. Legends of control points are placed on a map or on a separate sheet, which is given out to participants along with the map .

Marking systems
Visiting of control points by teams is controlled by means of an electronic or mechanical marking system.

The electronic marking system consists of a station located at a checkpoint and an electronic chip issued to each participant in the team. When the participant’s electronic chip contacts the station, the number of the control point and the time of the mark in the chip are recorded. At the finish, this data is read from the chip and an automatic calculation of the team’s results is made. In Russia, the most widely used in the Rogaining competitions were the systems of the electronic mark SportIdent and SFR.

The mechanical marking system consists of a needle composter located at the checkpoint and a control card issued to each team or each participant in the team. When using the mechanical marking system, the participant for marking at the control point should punch through the composter hole in the cage of the control card with the number corresponding to the number of the control point.

In order to control visits to checkpoints by all participants who are members of the same team, the judges can register to all participants the chips (control cards) on the wrist with a special control bracelet. Control bracelets can be cut and removed from the participants only by the organizers of the competition. In case of damage (rupture) of the control bracelet, which allows to remove the chip (control card) from the wrist, one of the team members or the loss of the chip (control card) by one of the team members is disqualified.

In case of using the electronic system of marking and fixing chips on the participants, the organizer of the competitions can set the time interval for marking the participants entering into one team at the checkpoint (for example, 1 to 2 minutes). In case of exceeding the time interval of the mark by the participants at the control point, points for visiting this control point are not charged .

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The order of start, finish and determination of results
Maps and legends of checkpoints are issued to teams for planning routes 2 to 4 hours before the start.

In the Rogaining competitions a general start is used – all the participants start simultaneously. In the case of conducting competitions in several formats (in terms of duration and mode of movement), participants may be dispersed in different formats according to the start time.

During the competition, teams can return at any time to the competition center for rest, eating, replacing equipment.

Finish teams can at any time during the entire control time of the competition format in which the team participates.

When the team is late for the finish within 30 minutes after the end of the set check-time, the team receives a penalty, the amount of which depends on the time of delay. The number of penalty points for each full or incomplete minute of delay of the team for the finish is determined by the organizer of the competition. In practice, one point is subtracted from the result of the team most often for each full or incomplete minute of the delay of the command over the control time. When the team is late for the finish, the team is disqualified for more than 30 minutes.

The team is considered to finish only after the finish of all members of this team. The finish time of the team is determined by the last team member .

The results of the teams are determined by the sum of points for the checkpoints visited, minus the penalty for being late for the finish. A team that has scored more points, and with equal points has an earlier finish time, is given a higher position .

Catering of participants
During the 24-hour rogain competition, the participants’ feeding center is organized in the competition center. Teams during the competition can return to the competition center to visit this food station. The food center in the competition center can also be organized on shorter rogainas with a duration of less than 24 hours. Also, in addition to the food station, food points can be organized in the competition center .

In the event that there are no natural sources of quality drinking water in the area of the competition or insufficient, the organizer of the competition must ensure that drinking water places in the area of the competition are placed, the number of which must be such that participants do not have to carry a large amount of water with them. Drinking water at such points should be available for the duration of the competition .

Strategy and tactics in Rogaine
Strategy and tactics – one of the significant components of the Rogaine, as a sport. Perfect physical form, endurance, possession of technical methods of navigation on the ground for all their importance, in themselves, will not ensure success in rogaine competitions, because athletes must also have the ability to strategically and tactically think, have certain strategic and tactical knowledge to reach the team goals.

The main strategic goal of any team claiming to win is to dispose of their physical abilities and powers in order to gain the maximum number of points for the established control time.

Rogaining competitions start for teams not at the moment of launch, but at the time of issuing cards. Maps are not accidentally issued 2 – 4 hours before the start. Over this period of time, teams must demonstrate all their strategic and tactical planning skills. To implement the main goal, the team draws up a strategic plan of action, including the procedure for passing control points, the route through selected checkpoints, the time schedule for the route, possible options for adjusting the order of passing checkpoints and the route. Drawing up such a strategic plan and especially its implementation in changing competitive conditions is a difficult task, from the decision of which the success in the Rogaining competitions largely depends.

The initial data for solving the main strategic task are:

Area of the competition area.
Type of terrain (intersection, patency, road network development, condition of soils).
Weather
The number of control points established in the competition area.
Cost of control points.
Physical readiness of team members.
Location of drinking water sources and food points on the ground, if any.
On the basis of these initial data, the team must compose its order of taking checkpoints and the route through these checkpoints.

The area of the competition area, the number and location of control points in the Rogaining competitions are such that for a set monitoring time no team, including the team – the absolute winner, will be able to take all the control points. Therefore, when compiling the route, the team must determine which control points to take and which ones to not.

The number of control points that a team can take for the control time of the competition is determined by the distance that the team can overcome during the control time on a certain type of terrain in certain weather conditions, that is, speed. Experienced teams already know approximately what distance they can overcome in direct time for the control time of competitions in a certain type of terrain.

The team needs to really assess its strengths and capabilities and determine the length of the proposed route. Errors in the planned length of the route are very critical, because, overestimating their capabilities, the team will have to reduce its route “on the go”, and very likely a delay at the finish with the penalty points. With an underestimation of their own strength, the team will have to increase its route, but “on the go” during the competition make it optimally difficult.

Since the control points in the Rogaine have a different cost and are located at different distances from each other, when compiling the route, the determining parameter is the number of points per kilometer of the distance. However, the route planning is not limited to choosing the shortest route with the maximum number of points. Since the control points are located on the ground, the teams need to take into account a multitude of other factors affecting the speed of movement between the control points: the development and condition of the road network, relief, overgrowth, water objects, etc. These factors determine how to choose the order of taking control points and tactics of choosing the path between control points. Therefore, the most accurate parameter determining the decision about which items to take is the ratio of the cost of the checkpoint to the time, spent on its capture. Therefore, when planning a route, checkpoints are first of all excluded, in which this ratio is the smallest of all control points.

When planning the route and the order of taking control points, it is also taken into account at which time of day (light or dark) checkpoints will be taken. In the dark, as a rule, movement through the terrain is more difficult and time to take control points is wasted more than by day.

The rogaine competition rules allow teams to return to the competition center at any time. Therefore, when planning the order of taking control points, the team must decide whether it will enter the competition center during the competition check-in time. This determines the number and weight of equipment, which the team takes with them to the competition area.

Also, when planning a route, a timetable is drawn for the distance. To do this, the team needs to determine the likely arrival time at several key checkpoints. By deviations from this time, the team will be able to judge whether a team is ahead of schedule or with a lag, and accordingly to correct the route and order of taking control points. Also, it is necessary to provide options for reducing and increasing the route, in case of lagging or advancing the schedule, respectively.

When planning a route, teams basically use two technical methods of working with a map: using a curvimeter or using a thread and pins. When using a curvimeter with its help, the distance in a straight line between the selected control points is measured or the length of the real path is measured, and the measured distance correlates with the capabilities of the team. When using a thread and pins, a thread is first prepared, the length of which corresponds to the length of the intended command route along the line between the control points in accordance with the scale of the map, and then this thread bends around the punctured checkpoints on the map in order to draw the thread so as to collect the maximum number of points.

Also one of the main tactical tasks in rogaine is the choice of the way between control points. The tasks of choosing the way are solved by the teams both before the start in the process of planning the route and during the competitions. The choice of the path of movement is a difficult task, in the process of which the team, on the basis of analysis of the maps displayed on the map and actual terrain characteristics, makes decisions on the version of the traffic allowing the least effort and time to arrive at the control point.

Outfit and equipment teams
Rogaining competitions have a significant duration, take place outdoors in the natural environment with changing weather conditions during the competition. In these often unfavorable conditions, the team needs to continue its competitive activities and move along the distance. In this case, the equipment and equipment of athletes in the rogaine competition is very important for achieving high results.

Clothing
Rogaining competitions take place in natural conditions, sometimes not very comfortable for athletes. The task of clothing is to protect the athlete from adverse environmental factors (high or low temperatures, rain, wind, etc.) and create more or less comfortable conditions for the athlete in the competitive process.

Requirements for athlete’s clothing:
Clothing should be protected from cold at low temperatures.
Clothing should be protected from the wind, and should not be blown out during the cold season.
In hot weather clothes should protect from direct sunlight, but at the same time should not prevent the evaporation of sweat.
Clothing should protect from branches of trees and shrubs, burning and stinging plants.
Clothing should protect the body of the athlete from insect bites.
Clothes should be comfortable and comfortable.
Modern sportswear meets all these conditions. Synthetic high-tech garments after wetting practically do not absorb moisture and quickly dry, which prevents hypothermia and allows athletes to continue competitions in dry and light clothes.

Rogaining competitions have a long duration, and weather conditions during the competition can dramatically change – it can rain, snow, it can become very cold, especially at night. Therefore, athletes in addition to the clothes in which they started, have a spare dry and warm clothes for the upper body. Especially it concerns 24 hour competitions.

Footwear
Shoes are one of the most important parts of the outfit. To the selection of shoes for competitions on Rogaine athletes fit very responsibly.

Shoes for competitions for Rogaining must meet the following requirements:

Should be convenient
Should be easy
Must be strong
Must not absorb a lot of water
Must dry quickly
Should provide foot ventilation
It should provide good adhesion to the ground.
Protect the foot when striking against rocks, roots and uneven ground.
In full measure, all these requirements are met by special models of sneakers for cross-country terrain.

The correct choice of socks is also important. Socks should not overheat the foot, should not strongly absorb moisture, should dry quickly, should fit tightly around the foot and do not form wrinkles.

To avoid sand, pebbles, needles, branches, sportsmen use special sports gaiters that cover the top of the shoe.

Backpack
For carrying equipment and food with them during the competition, participants use small backpacks. For competitions lasting 24 hours, the most suitable are rucksacks with a volume of 10 – 12 liters. Smaller rucksacks or waist bags are used in less prolonged competitions.

The rogaine backpack should be lightweight, it should provide a comfortable fit and comfortable weight distribution, air circulation on the back surface. Very good, when the backpack has several compartments for small things, outer mesh pockets, light reflectors and a special compartment for the drinking system.

To carry liquid for drinking at competitions on Rogaine, special plastic containers with a volume from 1 to 2 liters with tubes are used. Such containers, called still drinking systems (hydrosystems, hydrators, camelbacks), are inserted into a special backpack department and allow you to drink liquid directly on the run.

Lamp
For movement in the dark, each participant in the team must have a flashlight.

The lantern should be light and compact. The power of lighting a flashlight should provide the ability to safely move and navigate in the dark. The capacity of the battery (battery) of the flashlight should ensure its stable operation during the entire dark time of the day. The lantern should be waterproof and have a light beam angle adjustment. In order to release hands, the flashlight should be worn on the head, for example, using an elastic strap.

Compass
The magnetic compass is the basic navigation device necessary to determine the direction of motion.

The best compasses for Rogaine are liquid, in the flask of which a special liquid is filled to ensure the stability of the magnetic needle with swings and turns.

The most common compass on the platform (such a compass is attached to the hand with a lace) and “finger” (mounted on the thumb with an elastic strap). Both types of compasses have a centimeter scale for measuring distances on the map.

Clock
Wristwatches are an indispensable element of equipment. The clock allows not only to observe the traffic schedule and monitor the expiration of the control time, but also approximately measure the distance traveled, if the average speed is known.

Whistle
In accordance with the Rules of the International Rogaining Federation (IRF), each participant must have a whistle with him during the entire time at the distance. In emergencies, the competitor must make a series of short signals with a whistle.

On many modern backpacks there is a whistle that is located on the shoulder strap around the shoulder.

First Aid Kit
The first-aid kit is also an indispensable element of equipment, especially in daily competitions. The first aid kit should include dressings, disinfectants, painkillers and adhesive plasters.

Source from Wikipedia

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