Controlling Classic Series Events

The controller supervises and checks the work of the course setter and organiser but is not expected to personally carry out any of their tasks.

Safety

The controller ensures that the applicable safety policy is followed throughout the planning and running of the event. The Event Safety Coordinator has overall responsibility for decisions relating to safety, search and rescue at the event.

Course Planning

The controller checks the planned courses to ensure the following:

• That the courses comply with the event’s format guidelines (length, winning time, physical and technical difficulty). Note additional requirements applicable to championship events.
• That the courses are a fair test of orienteering skills.
• That possible routes avoid crossing any out-of-bounds, dangerous, or sensitive areas.
• That the courses comply with the OA rules.

The courses are the product of the course setter’s creative vision. The course setter is responsible for planning the courses and for placing/collecting the controls.

Field Checking

The controller checks the taped control sites to ensure the following:

• That the map is fair and accurate, particularly:
  • The control sites and the surrounding features are correctly mapped.
  • Relevant attack points and route choice features are correctly mapped
• The tapes are correctly located as indicated by the map and control descriptions.
• The control descriptions are complete, accurate, and meet IOF specification. 
• That the arena, parking, start, and finish areas are suitable.

Initial taping of control sites is the responsibility of the course setter.

Final Checks and Approvals

• Approve Final Courses for Printing
  • Check that the map and courses are final and include any course changes/updates. 
  • Ensure that map and course files comply with the guidelines in Best Practice for Purple Pen maps (link coming).
• Approve final event information, including start lists, for publication. 
• Check that the correct number of printed maps and descriptions are available and of satisfactory quality.

Event Logistics

The controller should confirm with both the organiser and course planner that any necessary bookings, personnel, and equipment have been arranged. This includes any access keys and phone numbers.

Transport of equipment, rostering of personnel, and external bookings are the organiser’s responsibility, however some equipment (e.g. maps, controls, water for drinking on courses, etc.) may be handled by the course setter.

Checking Control Placement

After the course planner has put out controls, the controller must check every control site.

Ensure that:

• The controls are placed correctly as indicated by the map and control descriptions.
• The controls are placed at the appropriate height to be visible when the competitor is at the described location and are not hidden.
• The correct SI unit is at each control.
• Taped routes are sufficiently marked.
• Water has been placed at the correct points.
• All SI units have been activated.

It may not be possible for all controls to be placed and checked separately by the course setter and controller in a reasonable timeframe. If necessary, the controller and course setter may agree to share the task of placing controls. If this is done, every control must still be independently checked. For example, the controller places controls 101-120, the course setter places controls 121-140, the controller must then check controls 121-140 and the course setter must check controls 101-120. 

During the Event

Ideally, the Controller should have no set tasks during the event. It is the controller’s job to oversee the entire event and to confirm everything is running smoothly. At minor events, where helpers are scarce, the controller may help the course planner or organiser with low-priority tasks.

Complaints and Protests

The Controller’s expertise may be required in assisting the Organiser to adjudicate any complaints, and with forming the protest jury, should one be required.

After the Event

Together with the Event Safety Coordinator, ensure all competitors have returned safely and confirm that there is no need for a search. Confirm that there are no significant injuries or incidents that require further action.

In the event of a search or other major incident, the controller may need to provide support to the organiser.

Check results to ensure that there are no outstanding issues.

Ensure control collection is done safely, and the assembly area is clean and tidy.