Classes
There are three kinds of classes available:
- Competitive classes: the ultimate test for experienced orienteers who want to race individually, in their age category, for the glory of being the Alberta Champion.
- Short classes: non-competitive - for those looking for less navigational difficulty, while still in their age class (M/F 15-16 S, M/F 17-20S and M/F21 S)
- Open classes - open to everyone, regardless of age or gender. Intended for people who want to choose the course length and difficulty time that suits them best, and for those who want to run/walk in teams of two or more people.
Championship Classes
Championship classes are age-based and will follow Orienteering Canada's Course and Category Guidelines for Championship Events. They are for individuals only - no teams. NEW: Start times will be assigned for these classes.
Competitive, Championship Classess
Short - non-competitive classes
Open Classes
Open classes are "age-less" and are open to everyone, regardless of age or gender; all participants must be members of a recognized orienteering club. If you are not a member, you can become a member for a day ($5) or a club member ($30) of FWOC if you would like to enter in the Open Category.
These classes are open to individuals and also to teams of two or more (see below).
These classes are intended for people who want to choose the course length and course difficulty that suits them best.
As there is no assigned start time for Open categories, Open participants can start when they are ready as per start crew instructions. The open classes are categorized in terms of race format, technical difficulty and length, the higher the course number the more difficult the course.
Technical Difficulty:
Length: See Course notes for each event.
Teams
Championship classes are age-based and will follow Orienteering Canada's Course and Category Guidelines for Championship Events. They are for individuals only - no teams. NEW: Start times will be assigned for these classes.
Competitive, Championship Classess
- All ages are as of December 31, 2019
- Separate classes for Males & Females in the following age groups:
10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19-20, 21+, 35+, 45+, 55+, 65+, 75+, 80+, 85+, 90+ - These classes are intended for experienced orienteers who want to race at the highest level in their age group.
- Medals (gold, silver and bronze) will be awarded to the top three finishers in each class who are Alberta residents and members of an Alberta orienteering club (AOA, EOOC, or FWOC).
Short - non-competitive classes
- Separate classes for Men & Women in the following age groups:
15-16(B), 17-20(B), and 21+(B) - These classes are intended for orienteers who want to race in their age group, but on a shorter and less technical course.
- Courses have significantly less navigational difficulty than the corresponding competitive age class.
- Medals are not awarded, but top three athletes are called to the podium for public recognition.
Open Classes
Open classes are "age-less" and are open to everyone, regardless of age or gender; all participants must be members of a recognized orienteering club. If you are not a member, you can become a member for a day ($5) or a club member ($30) of FWOC if you would like to enter in the Open Category.
These classes are open to individuals and also to teams of two or more (see below).
These classes are intended for people who want to choose the course length and course difficulty that suits them best.
As there is no assigned start time for Open categories, Open participants can start when they are ready as per start crew instructions. The open classes are categorized in terms of race format, technical difficulty and length, the higher the course number the more difficult the course.
- Open 1 - Beginner: Point-to-point. TD1. Short length
- Open 2 - Beginner: Point-to-point. TD2. Short length
- Open 3 - Intermediate: Point-to-point. TD3. Medium length.
- Open 4 - Long Intermediate: Point-to-point course. TD3. Medium length.
- Open 5 - Advanced: Point-to-point. TD4. Medium length.
- Open 6 - Expert: Point-to-point. TD5. Long length.
Technical Difficulty:
- TD1: Very easy. All controls on man-made line features, "handrails", such as paths, fences, and powerlines.
- TD2: Easy. All controls on natural or man-made handrails, including streams, edge of clearings, etc or raised point features close to the line feature.
- TD3: Controls on large features close to handrails.
- TD4: Controls on any feature in the forest; careful map reading may be required.
- TD5: Controls on any feature in the forest, rugged terrain; careful map reading will be required.
Length: See Course notes for each event.
Teams
- Teams of two, three or four are welcome and can compete in the Beginner or Intermediate classes.
- Team members each pay the fee for their age.
- Teams require just one SI Card.
- All team members must belong to a recognized provincial/territorial association.
- The “team leader” should register online; members of the team register and pay their fees on the day.