Bulletin nº4
Pre-start information 18/07/2019
16º WORLD ROGAINING CHAMPIONSHIPS
5º CAMPEONATO IBEROGAINE
27TH – 28TH OF JULY 2019
A copy of this newsletter will be sent to all runners by email. There will be printed copies available in Registration. In order to save paper we have decided not to print a copy for every participant.
Format and rules
In accordance with IRF council, In the WRC2019 the rules of the Rogaining International Federation will have the following deviations:
Compulsory gear (Rule D9)
For safety reasons and because of high mountain environment, (Range of weather conditions in the highest checkpoint could be from 20ºC to 2ºC in July) the list of mandatory gear include:
- SI card with non-removable wristband
- Competition number bib. Number bibs must be visible during all the competition
- A whistle
- A beanie or cap which covers the head
- A thermal top with long sleeves
- A jacket for mountain weather conditions
- A GPS tracking device provided by organization (one for team)
- An emergency blanket (one for team)
- Mobile phones will be allowed in race for safety equipment, but competitors must carry them sealed in an opaque tamper-proof bag provided by organization. The phone only can be removed from the bag in case of emergency. Teams who wish to carry a mobile phone must demand the special bag to the organization.
- Please, remember that watches with GPS are not allowed, all competitors can only use a normal watch.
Gear
Apart from compulsory gear we recommend the next items:
- Sun protection
- Water, 2 litres
- Some money.
Compulsory gear control
Organizers can check a compulsory gear from any team anytime; in the start area, during the race or after the finish, in the finish area.
Course
The total number of checkpoints will be 86. Total sum of score is 508 points. Two digit numbers are used for the checkpoints from 21 to 99, the first digit show the score of the checkpoint (from 2 to 9). Also we put seven checkpoints with three digits number (102,103,105,106,107,108,109), these seven checkpoints score 10 points each.
Penalty score for finishing after the nominated finish time is 1 point for each started minute after the nominated finish time (12:00 on Sunday, July 28). Teams finishing 30 minutes after nominated finish time, will be considered LATE.
The shortest line connecting all checkpoints is 103 km with over 9.000 m of height gain.
Checkpoints (control flags) are well visible from different directions and are located 1 meter from the ground. They don’t have reflectors. The course map and the control description alings perfectly to the exact point where the checkpoint is located. If no punch signal (no light/no sound) when you punch the SI station, you can use the emergency punch checkboxes on the map. If a control flag is missing, you must protest at the finish area. Organization can use GPS tracking in order to check this protest. Only when a checkpoint is confirmed missing, the GPS tracking may be used to score checkpoints in a protest. Missing SI stations is not a reason for unsealing bag with prohibited devices.
Note; although you can use SI Air cards, they don’t work in AIR mode, competitors must inserting the SI card into the station. Everybody use the same regular mode in punching stations.
The three closest checkpoints to the start (23, 24, 25) are in a wide element with easy approach. They are 3 SI stations each. Checkpoints 33, 47, 48 have double SI station. The goal is to reduce the risk of queues in first checkpoints.
Course and terrain will provide a lot of different route choices and planning scenarios. Organizers are encouraging all the teams to consider seriously the mountain terrain, where the height gain will be more important than distance for a good planning.
The hash-house is located near to the centre in competition area, provides a good option to visit during the race in order to rest or refuel. On the competition terrain there will be 17 water stations; natural or in plastic bottles (marked on the map with a big blue square). The main river and other natural water courses are not recommended to drink because of cattle in the high areas. If any team decides to use one of these unmarked natural sources, we will strongly recommend using a water purification system.
Control description.
Competitors can download control description in English, Catalan and Spanish from the webpage. Moreover, you can download information about water and safety points.
Remember that we have printed on the competition map (waterproof) control description in English and in IOF symbols. Also, separate sheets with control description will be available in start area in plain paper, in English, Catalan and Spanish.
Please note; there is a mistake in the control description about checkpoint 85. It has the next text; the south eastern re-entrant, clearing, this is ok in control description sheet, and in IOF symbols. But in English text in the map there is a mistake, it says the south-western re-entrant, clearing.
Emergency points and phone numbers.
General emergency phone in Spain and in France are 112. Firstly we strongly recommend to phone organizer’s emergency phones printed on the maps (Three different, from three different companies).
Moreover, we have two safety points on the course, in Niu de l’Aliga Refuge (close to the highest point) and in Pla de les Forques Refuge. Controllers will be in these points from 16:00 on Saturday to 10:00 on Sunday.
Map
The map scale is 1:25000, with a contour interval of 10 meters, and with 5 meters form-lines where necessary. The elements of the map are represented with orienteering ISOM symbols and styles.
The base map has been made from different sources of data*:
- Contours and vegetation has been drawn from LiDAR data.
- Planimetry has been obtained from 1:5000 topographic map
- The whole terrain has been checked trough orthophotos to complete and correct the above information.
* All the source data has been taken from the Institut Cartogràfic I Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC).
Additionally, an extensive fieldwork has been carried out in order to add details and elements that were not visible in the source data.
Competition maps will be printed on waterproof and tear resistant synthetic paper (Poliart). A separate map, same size and scale as the competition map but printed on regular paper, will be provided for each team for planning purposes. It is not necessary to submit this map to the organizers. The exact map sheet size is 57cm x 81cm.
As a 1:25000 scale map, only the main and big elements have been represented, but in some areas with less elements on the terrain, some smaller elements may be represented (for example, a single small cliff might be represented in an area with no other details).
Forest is represented differently from typical rogaining maps: forest areas are printed in 2 colors depending on their runnability, similar to orienteering maps. White and green colors will be used for this purpose. This representation has to be taken as estimation, because it’s taken automatically from LiDAR data. This means that it gives you an idea of the density of the forest but you may walk through some green areas while it can be almost impossible to cross others. Similarly there are some white areas with undergrowth that can be difficult to pass.
There’s a network of trails and dirt roads. The mapmaker has made a big effort to draw them all but, in an area where the human influence is present, every season new trails are opened while old trails get lost. There may be some new trails in areas where wood works are taking place of near shepherds’ places. Some small trails (“cow trails”) may not be represented.
There are several fences in the terrain. Most of them are used to keep the livestock under control, and are passable, but they can be electrified, so try not to touch the wires. Only the main fences are drawn in the map. Similarly to the trails, they can vary from season to season. In general, only the fences with 2 wires or more are represented.
There’s plenty of livestock in the terrain (cows, horses, sheep, goats). Although they are peaceful, please be careful and try not to approach them in order to not disturb them. You may find other wild animals; please be respectful to them.
Forbidden areas and safety
There’s a railway and a road that cross the course, which are forbidden to cross and to travel along. This railway and road are clearly represented in magenta color. There are some specific points where you may cross them; these passing points are marked with a symbol on the map. It’s forbidden to cross this elements in any other point. Competitors that do so, will be disqualified. You may cross other regular roads of the map, but we don’t recommend to go along for them for obvious safety reasons. Be extremely careful when you cross them.
Similarly, there are some downhill bike trails that are represented in the map with a magenta discontinuous line. It’s strictly forbidden to follow these trails from 10:00 to 19:00, as high speed bikes are descending and competitors could cause serious accidents. You may cross this trails all the time, but taking extreme precautions.
Finally, there’s an extensive forbidden area (clearly marked in the map) because there’s high livestock density in it. Competitors that enter this area will be disqualified.
Big cliffs have been represented on the map. Please be careful when entering areas with cliffs, especially at night. There are other very steep areas that are not represented as a cliff but that can be dangerous, also especially at night. These areas, represented with high parallel contour density, may have some hidden cliffs in them. Be extra careful in all these areas.
Weather:
We will show in the Event centre a very accurate weather forecast on Friday before the WRC starts. Please, take care with weather conditions.
Registration
Registration will be located in Museu Josep Maria Figueres in la Molina (500 meters from the event center). All the competitors must come to the registration office before to park in event centre area.
All competitors will receive a runner’s bag with information and gifts from our sponsors. Also competitors can pick up the WRC2019 jacket.
Into the bag participants will have a yellow textile wristband. All the competitors are asked to wear this wristband until they leave the competition area, because of these wristbands are the control for organizers in event centre area.
Also there will be a plastic thyvek orange wristband. This orange is to be used only during the competition to carry the electronic tag. Remember that only organizing controllers will remove this wristband after competition.
Each team receives a 5 l water container. Everybody can ask for more when it ends.Although there are different water taps in event centre, this water that use people in La Molina station has not sanitary control. That is why organization prefer to give runners bottled water just for drinking.
Indemnity forms for signing by each team member will be available at registration.
Each participant under 18 years shall submit his/her written permission from their legal guardian, for taking part in the competition at registration.
SI card collect
The SPORTIdent (SI) electronic punching system will be provided to the competitors who have rented during the registration process. To collect SI rental cards, competitors must leave a ID card or a 70€ amount. This money will be reimbursed when competitors turn the SI card.
In case of lost rental SI cards competitors will be charge with 70€. Please take care.
Planning area
After receiving the maps in waterproof paper, plus an extra map in plain paper, competitors can use event centre area to plan their route. This area will include an undercover planning zone, the tent area and two big car parks close to the competition centre. Competitors shall not leave this area starting from the moment of distribution the maps till the start signal. Organizers will check observation of IRF rules during the planning process by inspections. Please, note that only cars or caravans in the two big car parks closest to the event centre are inside the planning area. People who park in other areas cannot go to their vehicles.
Broadcast media area
The event organizers will broadcast live tracking data and estimated progressive scores of teams based on the data obtained from a number of checkpoints on the course from two hours following the start of the competition. Remember that no member of any team is allowed to access any internet capable device at any time from the commencement of map handout until 30 minutes after the advertised finish time (both on course and at the event center.).
WRC2019 Schedule
Thursday, 25 July 2019
- 14:00 Camping at the hash house opens, model maps available and model course opens
- 16:00 Registration 1st day opens
- 21:00 Registration 1st day closes
Friday, 26 July 2019
- 10:00 Registration 2nd day opens
- 14:00 IRF Meeting in La Molina.(During IRF meeting registration will close.)
- 21:00 Registration 2nd day closes
Saturday, 27 July 2019
- 8:00 Registration 3rd day opens
- 9:00 Map handout
- 11:00 Start area opens.
- 12:00 Start
- 17:00 Catering available at the hash house
- 21:18 Sunset
- 21:50 The end of civil twilight
Sunday, 28 July 2019
- 6:10 The beginning of civil twilight
- 6:42 Sunrise
- 12:00 Finish
- 12:30 Catering at the hash house
- 15:00 Award ceremony
Monday, 29 July 2019
- 11:00 Camping at the hash house closes.
Official competition time
The official competition time will be shown on screens in hash-house area. Synchronize your watches on your own with the official time
GPS device collect
The GPS device delivery will be on Saturday from 8:00 to 11:40 a.m close to the start area. All the teams must go to this point in order to tie the GPS device to their competition backpack.
In case of lost rental GPS device competitors will be charge with 130€. Please take care.
Map handout
At 9:00 near to start area, there will be different queues divides according to the team number. Please, only one representative from each team with the number bib shall arrive to the corresponding queue.
Entering Start Area
Before entering in start area, competitors must take the GPS device. No team can enter in the start area without GPS device. All teams must enter in the start area from 11:00 at latest 11:40 AM. Whole team shall arrive and enter together. Attached SI cards will be checked by organizers at start area gates. There will be a compulsory gear control. After that, competitor pass through the clean-check and SIAir off controls. Each competitor must be sure his attached SI card is cleaned and checked. The start is given at 12:00 on Saturday, July 27 with a spectacular and traditional well audible sound.
Finish
The finish control time is 12:00 on Sunday, July 28. After finishing the course, by punching the SI finish, only organizers will be allowed to remove the wristband. Participants who carried mobile phones during their course will be requested by organizers to present unopened sealed bag right after the finish.
Showers
There will be showers in La Molina swimming pool from 10:00 to 14:00. Please use the yellow wristband to enter. Capacity can be limited during some hours.
Wi-Fi
There will be free Wi-Fi available in the event centre area. Password will be offered to all competitors in registration area.
Shops and Buffet
We will have orienteering equipment shops in the Event Centre and a Bar service that serves all kind of drinks and sandwiches.
Results
After the finish, each competitor gets a printout of SI cards data. The individual SI printouts shall be considered as a preliminary. Also, preliminary team results will be shown at the event centre in organization screens. Final results will be published not before 13:00 on the WRC2019 website and displayed at the event centre.
Protest
Within 45’ of the nominated finish time, a team may submit a protest about any team thought to have breached the rules, about the preliminary results or about any actions of the organizers that they consider may the competition unfair. Protests shall be submitted to organizers in writing, and in English.
Jury
Any protest are considered and determined by a three person jury. Members of the WRC2019 jury are Richard Robinson, Jan Tojnar and Roberto Pascual. Any IRF member or observe present at the event center can be called as an alternative jury member in case of a protest involving one of the nominated jury members.
Prizes
The team with the highest score in each class is granted the title of the World Rogaining Champions. Three best teams in each class are awarded prizes.
The winners of each category plus the three open teams will be awarded with our sponsor headlamps (Silva) and a Camelbag backpack. All the podium teams will be rewarded with different local products.
Model event
Model event will be available from 12:00 on Thursday, 25th July, until start WRC on Saturday. We will use the Rogaining Castellar de n’Hug map in 25.000 scale. Despite the cartography is not exactly the same, mappers are different, the terrain is quite similar.
Model maps are available at the registration (web page pre command)
The start point will be in the Castellar de N’Hug road, about 15 kms from the event centre. There will not be parking assistance in model event. There are 10 controls in the terrain and it takes 2/3 hours to visit all in walking mode.
There will not be transfer to model event. But we offer a wall information with car sharing options.
6 hours event
6h event will be from 13:00 to 19:00 on Saturday. Detailed information is in the specific link included in the web site. This race is intended for local rogainers and WRC participant’s partners.
IRF meeting
The IRF meeting will be held at 14:00 to 17:00 on 26th July in Museu Josep Maria Figueres in la Molina (500 meters from the event center) . Everyone interested will be warmly welcomed.
Catering
Hash-house menu from 17:00 July 27th.
Coffee, tea, chicken or vegetal broth, soda drinks, isotonic drinks, beer, candies and nuts, fruits, cookies, chocolate, sandwiches, cheese, rice or pasta with olives ,tuna and corns, rice or pasta with tomato sauce, rice or pasta with Bolognese sauce (with meat).
Please note that in order to prepare the closing meal; we will not offer hot meals from Sunday 28th at 11:30, and the dining room will be close during one hour. All the other meals will be available.
After race meal from 12:30 July 28th ; Traditional fideuà with squids, salad, drinks and fruits.
We will have special menu for vegetarians who has ordered before.
Organizers
Ricard Belascoain – Event Director.
Raquel Font – Chief materials and intendance.
Carles Loré – Mapper.
Assumpció Termens – Shop, merchandising and volunteers
Maria Gràcia – Sponsorship and community manager.
Pep Mayolas – Field Work & Course Vetter.
International Rogaining Federation (IRF),
IbeRogaine,
Federació de Curses d’Orientació de Catalunya (FCOC).
Event advisor
Gill Fowler (Australia)
Contacts
Web-site URL www.wrc2019.cat/en