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Ski Orienteering
Ski orienteering is a cross-country endurance winter sport. Similar to the orienteering disciplines practised in the summer season, ski orienteering requires an extremely high level of both physical and mental fitness.
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An elite level ski-orienteer needs excellent skiing and map reading skills - and the ability to combine those two. The athlete has to take hundreds of route choice decisions at high speed during every race. |
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The prepared ski tracks are of various quality. Throughout the competition the ski orienteer has to make decisions about which route is the fastest between the controls. The route choice is made on the basis of the quality of the ski tracks, gradient and distance, all of which can be read from the map.
In respect of physical condition, ski orienteering is comparable with marathon running or cross-country skiing. To be successful in ski orienteering, the athlete must master all skiing techniques, classical and free technique as well as all general downhill and turning techniques.
The World Ski Orienteering Championships is the official event to award the titles of World Champions in Ski Orienteering. The World Championships is organised every odd year. The programme includes Sprint, Middle and Long Distance competitions, and a Relay for both men and women.
The World Cup is the official series of events to find the world's best ski orienteers over a season. The World Cup is organised every even year.
Having its origins in the 1890s, ski orienteering is a sport with long traditions. Ski orienteering is a Recognized Olympic Sport.
Equipment:
RACING EQUIPMENT: Ski orienteers use the same kind of racing skis, ski poles, suits, boots and bindings as cross-country skiers.
MAP HOLDER: A specially designed map holder attached to the chest makes it possible to view the map at competition speed while skiing at full speed.
MAP: The map provided by the organiser shows the control points which must be visited. The map is designed to give all the information the competitor needs in order to decide which route is the fastest, such as the quality of the tracks, gradient and distance.
COMPASS: The compass is attached to the map holder or to the skier's arm.
CONTROL CARD: A control card is attached to the competitor's arm. At each control, the competitor punches the card as proof of having visited that control.
