View source for Orienteering

{{Short description|Sport using maps and compasses}}
{{Distinguish|Orientation|Amateur radio direction finding}}

{{Infobox sport
| name       = Orienteering
| image      = Tajfuto.jpg
| alt        = Man holding a map at a control point
| imagesize  = 220px
| caption    = An orienteer punching a control point
| union      = [[International Orienteering Federation]] (IOF)
| firstlabel = First public contest
| first      = 1897, [[Union between Sweden and Norway]]<ref name=iof_past_present />
| region     = Worldwide
| clubs      = 78 national federations
| contact    = No
| team       = Individuals or teams of varying size
| mgender    = Mixed participation, with most competitions held in separate divisions
| type       = Outdoor
| equipment  = [[Compass]], [[orienteering map]], control punch
| olympic    = No
| world      = [[1966 World Orienteering Championships|1966]]<ref name=iof-woc1966>{{cite web |url=https://old.orienteering.org/events/?event_id=6 |title=World Orienteering Championships 1966 |publisher=[[International Orienteering Federation]] |access-date=22 October 2016 |archive-date=6 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706033745/https://old.orienteering.org/events/?event_id=6 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| IWGA       = 1995<ref name="IWGA">{{cite web |title=Orienteering |url=https://www.theworldgames.org/sports/Orienteering-34 |publisher=International World Games Association |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Orienteering pictogram.svg|thumb|Official IOF orienteering pictogram]]

'''Orienteering''' is a group of [[sports]] in which participants use a [[map]] and [[compass]] to [[navigation|navigate]] from point to point in unfamiliar terrain as quickly as possible.

The sport originated from [[land navigation|military land-navigation]] training in the late 19th century. It has since evolved into several competitive forms where participants race against the clock while navigating through checkpoints. Variants include [[automobile orienteering|automobile]], [[underwater orienteering|underwater]], [[mountain bike orienteering|mountain bike]], [[ski orienteering|ski]], and [[trail orienteering|trail orienteering]]. The most common form is [[foot orienteering]], also known as ''FootO''.

In formal foot-orienteering competitions, participants are given a specially prepared [[orienteering map]], usually topographical, which they use to locate [[control point (orienteering)|control points]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orienteering.ca/about_orienteering.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002091244/http://www.orienteering.ca/about_orienteering.htm |title=About Orienteering |publisher=Canadian Orienteering Federation |access-date=11 August 2008 |archive-date=2 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Orienteering is part of the [[World Games]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldgames-iwga.org/vsite/vcontent/page/custom/0,8510,1044-167458-184676-18067-62418-custom-item,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060108194551/http://www.worldgames-iwga.org/vsite/vcontent/page/custom/0,8510,1044-167458-184676-18067-62418-custom-item,00.html |title=Orienteering |publisher=International World Games Association |access-date=29 September 2008 |archive-date=8 January 2006 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> and the [[World Police and Fire Games]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2009wpfg.ca/content/sports/index.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001075023/http://www.2009wpfg.ca/content/sports/index.shtml |title=Sports |publisher=World Police Fire Games |access-date=29 September 2008 |archive-date=1 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of orienteering}}

Orienteering originated in [[Sweden]] in the late 19th century. The term ''orientering'' (Swedish for “orientation”) was first used in 1886 at the [[Military Academy Karlberg]], describing navigation across unfamiliar terrain using a map and compass.<ref name=iof_past_present>{{cite web|url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/iof/past_present|title=Past & present|publisher=International Orienteering Federation|access-date=2008-09-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802131200/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fiof%2Fpast_present|archive-date=2008-08-02}}</ref> The activity developed from [[Military education and training|military land navigation]] exercises into a civilian sport.  

The first civilian competition open to the public was held in [[Norway]] in 1897, when the country was part of the [[Union between Sweden and Norway]].<ref name=iof_past_present/> In 1901, the first Swedish public event included control points at historic sites such as [[Spånga Church]] and [[Bromma Church]], a [[round church]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orientering.se/t2.asp?p=3398 |title=Milstolpar i utvecklingen |publisher=Svenska Orienteringsförbundet |language=sv |access-date=2008-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926233231/http://www.orientering.se/t2.asp?p=3398 |archive-date=2007-09-26}}</ref>

[[File:World Orienteering Championships 2007 - middle distance 04.jpg|thumb|World Orienteering Championships 2007 in [[Kyiv]], [[Ukraine]]. Winners of the middle-distance event: [[Simone Niggli-Luder]] (Switzerland) and [[Thierry Gueorgiou]] (France).]]

Affordable compasses helped the sport expand during the 1930s. By 1934, about 250,000 Swedes participated, and orienteering had spread to [[Finland]], [[Switzerland]], the [[Soviet Union]], and [[Hungary]]. After [[World War II]], it spread across Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania. In 1959, Sweden hosted an international conference with delegates from 12 countries, leading to the formation of the [[International Orienteering Federation]] (IOF) in 1961.<ref name=iof_past_present/> By 2010, the IOF included 71 member federations worldwide.<ref name=iof_nations>{{cite web|url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006|title=National Federations|publisher=International Orienteering Federation|access-date=2006-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061227191403/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006|archive-date=2006-12-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> World Championships were held biennially until 2003 and annually thereafter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orienteering.asn.au/promotion/facts/History/|title=Orienteering: A Brief History|publisher=Orienteering Australia|access-date=2008-11-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719230326/http://www.orienteering.asn.au/promotion/facts/History/|archive-date=2008-07-19}}</ref>

Orienteering remains most popular in [[Scandinavia]], home to long-running events such as the [[Jukola relay]] and [[Tiomila]], both established in the 1940s. The [[O-Ringen]], held annually since 1965, attracts around 15,000 competitors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/The+Jukola+Relay+is+about+much+more+than+orienteering+/1135228145846|title=The Jukola Relay is about much more than orienteering|last=Pulkkinen|first=Sanna|newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat|access-date=2008-11-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629121925/https://www.hs.fi/english/article/The+Jukola+Relay+is+about+much+more+than+orienteering+/1135228145846/|archive-date=2007-06-29}}</ref>

The sport was originally practiced in forest terrain but later expanded to [[fell]], [[heathland]], and [[moorland]] areas. Urban and park orienteering became established in the 1990s and 2000s through events such as the [[Park World Tour]], supported by dedicated urban map standards (ISSOM) and electronic timing systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parkworldtour.org/|title=Park World Tour|access-date=2021-06-25}}</ref> These formats are now included in national and international ranking systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/page/rankings|title=British Orienteering Rankings|access-date=2012-02-05}}</ref>

==Variations==
Orienteering sports combine significant [[navigation]] with a specific method of travel.  Because the method of travel determines the needed equipment and tactics, each sport requires specific rules for competition and guidelines for orienteering event logistics and [[Course (orienteering)|course]] design.

[[International Orienteering Federation]], the governing body of the sport, currently sanctions the following four disciplines as official disciplines in the sport of orienteering:
* [[Foot orienteering]] (FootO)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orienteering {{!}} International Orienteering Federation |url=https://orienteering.sport/orienteering/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=orienteering.sport |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Mountain bike orienteering]] (MTBO)<ref>{{Cite web |title=MTB Orienteering {{!}} International Orienteering Federation |url=https://orienteering.sport/mtbo/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=orienteering.sport |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ski orienteering]] (SkiO)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ski Orienteering {{!}} International Orienteering Federation |url=https://orienteering.sport/skio/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=orienteering.sport |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Trail orienteering]] (TrailO)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trail Orienteering {{!}} International Orienteering Federation |url=https://orienteering.sport/trailo/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=orienteering.sport |language=en}}</ref>

Moreover, [[International Amateur Radio Union]] (IARU) sanctions the following orienteering sport:
* [[Amateur radio direction finding]] (Radio orienteering or ARDF) [including variants [[Fox Oring]] and [[Radio Orienteering in a Compact Area]] (ROCA)]

Other orienteering disciplines include, but are not limited to:
* [[Biathlon orienteering]]
* [[Canoe orienteering]]
* [[Car orienteering]]
* [[Mountain marathon]]ing
* [[Mounted orienteering]]
* [[Rogaining]]
* [[Underwater orienteering]] (disputed; may be classified instead as a form of [[scuba diving]])
* Sport Labyrinth – micro orienteering

[[Adventure racing]] is a combination of two or more disciplines, and usually includes orienteering as part of the [[Racing|race]].

==Governing bodies==
===International===
At international level, the [[International Orienteering Federation]] (IOF)<ref name=iof_about_us>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/iof/about_us
 |title        = About us
 |publisher    = International Orienteering Federation
 |access-date   = 2008-08-11
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080802131135/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fiof%2Fabout_us
 |archive-date = 2008-08-02
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref> defines rules and guidelines<ref name=iof-rules1>{{cite web |url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/document_library/rules_and_guidelines |title=Rules and Guidelines |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |access-date=2008-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925141301/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fdocument_library%2Frules_and_guidelines |archive-date=September 25, 2008 }}</ref> which [[Sport governing body|govern]] four orienteering sports: [[foot orienteering]], [[mountain bike orienteering]], [[Ski-orienteering|ski orienteering]], and [[trail orienteering]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/iof/about_us |title=About us |access-date=2008-05-26 |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725034421/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fiof%2Fabout_us |archive-date=2008-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is based in Sweden<ref>{{cite web|url=https://orienteering.sport/iof/governance-and-organisation/iof-office/|title=IOF Office|access-date=2022-07-25|publisher=International Orienteering Federation|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220725105746/https://orienteering.sport/iof/governance-and-organisation/iof-office/|archive-date=2022-07-25}}
</ref> and it claims on its website to aim to "spread the sport of orienteering, to promote its development and to create and maintain an attractive world event programme."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/iof/vision_and_values |title=Vision and values |access-date=2008-05-26 |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725034611/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fiof%2Fvision_and_values |archive-date=2008-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since 1977 the IOF has been recognised by the [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]].<ref name=iof_pastpresent>{{cite web|url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/iof/past_present|title=Past & Present|publisher=International Orienteering Federation|access-date=2008-09-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802131200/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fiof%2Fpast_present|archive-date=2008-08-02}}</ref>

===National===
<!--Country/nation. Note UK is one nation comprising four countries-->
{{See also category|National members of the International Orienteering Federation|l1=International Orienteering Federation members}}

There are governing bodies for most of the individual nations that are represented in the sport of orienteering. These national bodies are the rule-making body for that nation. For example, the [[British Orienteering Federation]] is the national governing body for the [[United Kingdom]]. The federation was founded in 1967 and it is made up of 13 constituent associations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/about/index.php|title=About British Orienteering|access-date=2008-05-25|publisher=British Orienteering Federation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127105559/http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/about/index.php|archive-date=2008-01-27}}</ref> For the [[United States]], the national governing body is [[Orienteering USA]].

===Regional===
Most nations have some form of regional governing bodies. These are not rule-making bodies but are there to assist in coordinating clubs within that region, e.g., they may allocate dates so that clubs do not clash with their events.

===Local===
{{See also|Category:Orienteering clubs|l1=Orienteering clubs}}

Clubs are usually formed at a local level and affiliated to their national governing body. It is clubs who put on events usually open to all-comers. Clubs may also put on practice, training, and social events.
Open clubs are open to anyone and there is usually no restriction on joining them.
Closed clubs restrict their membership to specific groups. For example, BAOC (British Army Orienteering Club)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baoc.org.uk/ |title= BAOC Online |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=baoc.org.uk }}</ref> has restrictions on who may join, principally British Army personnel.

===Related sports===
* The [[International Rogaining Federation]] [[sports governing body|governs]] [[rogaining]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rogaining.com/ |title= International Rogaining Federation |access-date=2008-10-28 |publisher=www.rogaining.com }}</ref>
* Separate organizations govern [[Mounted orienteering|competitive mounted orienteering]] in the United States and Europe (and the two sports are dissimilar).
* The [[International Amateur Radio Union]] [[sports governing body|governs]] [[amateur radio direction finding]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaru.org/|title=International Amateur Radio Union|publisher=International Amateur Radio Union|access-date=2008-11-13}}</ref>

==Competition and results==
[[File:Orienteering symbol.svg|thumb|The international orienteering flag, typically used to mark control points]]
===Basics===
The competition, or race, is intended to test the navigational skill, concentration, and running ability of the competitors. High levels of [[physical fitness|fitness]] and running speed are required to compete successfully at an international or elite level. To ensure fairness between competitors the map is not usually provided until the start, and starts are normally staggered with competitors starting at not less than one-minute intervals.<ref name=nutshell>{{cite web |url=http://orienteer.com/nutshell.htm |title=Your first orienteering event |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=orienteer.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516084924/http://www.orienteer.com/nutshell.htm |archive-date=2008-05-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The objective on each leg is to follow the fastest route between controls. The fastest is not always the shortest route, and can depend heavily on [[Route choice (orienteering)|route choice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oq.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=85|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224192329/http://www.oq.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=85|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-02-24|title=Foot Orienteering|publisher=[[Orienteering Queensland]]|access-date=2008-09-28}}</ref>

===Map===
[[File:Orienteringskort bygholm 2005.PNG|thumb|left|An orienteering map]]
Orienteering competitions use specially prepared [[orienteering map]]s. They are topographic maps although much more detailed than general-purpose maps. The ISOM map scales are 1:15,000, 1:10,000, or 1:7,500, with grids aligned to [[Magnetic declination|magnetic]] [[north]]. Map symbols are standardized by the IOF,<ref name=iof-map-2000>{{cite web|url=http://orienteering.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/International-Specification-for-Orienteering-Maps-2000.pdf |title=International Specification for Orienteering Maps|access-date=2011-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019053446/http://orienteering.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/International-Specification-for-Orienteering-Maps-2000.pdf|archive-date=2011-10-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> and designed to be readable by any competitor regardless of background or native tongue.

===Courses===
[[File:Orienteering map control points.svg|thumb|right|An example of how control points are shown on an orienteering map]]
Orienteering events offer a range of courses, of varying physical and technical difficulty, to meet the needs of competitors. The orienteering [[course (orienteering)|course]] is marked in purple or red on a map.<ref name=themap>{{cite web |url=http://www.williams.edu/Biology/Faculty_Staff/hwilliams/Orienteering/map.html |title=The Map |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=www.williams.edu }}</ref> A [[triangle]] is used to indicate the start and a double [[circle]] indicates the finish. Circles are used to show the control points.<ref name=ounlimited>{{cite web |url=http://www.orienteeringunlimited.com/ODetails.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010412133640/http://orienteeringunlimited.com/ODetails.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2001-04-12 |title=Details of the sport of orienteering |access-date=2008-09-28 }}</ref>

====Age-related classes====
At international, national, and the larger events, courses are classified by age, e.g., M35 for men 35 years of age and older. Classes requiring similar distances and difficulties are usually combined into a smaller number of courses, e.g., M60 will normally share a course with W50, and often with M65 and W55. The results are normally arranged by class.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyprus-orienteering.com/htmldocs/pdf/ColourCodedexplained.pdf|title=Courses and classes - cutting through the confusion.|year=1997|publisher=Cyprus Orienteers|access-date=2015-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904010428/http://www.cyprus-orienteering.com/htmldocs/pdf/ColourCodedexplained.pdf|archive-date=2015-09-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Ability-based courses====
In the smaller events courses are provided by ability. The United States<ref name=ounlimited/><ref name=ClueSymbols>{{cite web |url=http://www.williams.edu/Biology/Faculty_Staff/hwilliams/Orienteering/clues.html |title=Orienteering Clue Symbols |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=www.williams.edu }}</ref> and the [[United Kingdom]] use colour coding to define the difficulty of the courses. Short, easy courses are provided for beginners and younger competitors, with technically and physically demanding courses being provided for experienced orienteers. Ranging from easy and short to long and technical, there are; White, Yellow, Orange, Light Green, Green, Blue and Brown.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.runningforfun.co.uk/orienteering.html|title=Orienteering |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher= www.runningforfun.co.uk }}</ref>

====Permanent courses and other events====
Some orienteering clubs have set up permanent courses, which can be used for personal, or club, training. Non-standard permanent markers are used as control kites, and maps of the courses are usually available publicly for a fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.us.orienteering.org/new-o/resources/permanent-courses|title=Permanent Courses|publisher=US Orienteering Federation|access-date=2012-05-04}}</ref> The courses are usually set up in public areas and there may be some restrictions on access, e.g., daylight hours only. Clubs also organise informal events for practice and training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sloweb.org.uk/poc/pocinfo.htm |title=Permanent orienteering courses |publisher=South London Orienteers and Wayfarers |access-date=2008-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828191654/http://www.sloweb.org.uk/poc/pocinfo.htm |archive-date=August 28, 2008 }}</ref>

===Controls and control description sheet===
[[File:Control description en.svg|thumb|upright|Control description sheet (pictorial)]]

[[Control point (orienteering)|Control points]] are placed on features on the map that can be clearly identified on the ground. Control points are marked in the terrain by white and orange "flags".<!--(or white and red) needs to be in history-->

Competitors receive a "control description sheet" or "clue sheet" which gives a precise description of the feature and the location of the kite, e.g., boulder, 5m, north side. For experienced orienteers the descriptions use symbols (pictorial), in accordance with the ''IOF Control descriptions''.<ref name=iof-controls-2004>{{cite web |url=http://orienteering.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IOF-Control-Descriptions-2004.pdf |title=IOF Control descriptions |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |access-date=2008-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727152944/http://orienteering.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IOF-Control-Descriptions-2004.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-27 }}</ref>

===Control card and punching===
[[File:SportIdent station with stick.JPG|thumb|SportIdent station with electronic puncher (note that the puncher is normally worn on a finger) with a backup needle puncher attached]]
Each competitor is required to carry an electronic or paper control card, and to present it at the Start and hand it in at the Finish.  The control card is marked by some means at each control point to show that the competitor has completed the course correctly. Most events now use electronic punching, although cards and needle punches are still widely used.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://orienteer.com/nutshell.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051221055013/http://orienteer.com/nutshell.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-12-21|title=Your first orienteering event|publisher=orienteer.com|access-date=2008-11-13}}</ref>

===Results===
The winner is normally the competitor with the fastest time, but other scoring systems can be used, e.g., score events and Trail-O. Most events produce provisional results 'on the day', with draft results on the Internet that night; the final results being confirmed a few days later. With electronic punching<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/downloads/documents/Appendices_IElectronicPunching.pdf |title=Appendix I : Electronic Punching |access-date=2008-10-23 |publisher=www.britishorienteering.org.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807175505/http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/downloads/documents/Appendices_IElectronicPunching.pdf |archive-date=2008-08-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the results can include ''split times'' for competitors. These show the times between controls and aggregate times to each control. With suitable computer software these times can be displayed in a graphical form (Progressograph).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/event/organisers.php#responsibilities|title=Organisers are responsible for|publisher=British Orienteering Federation |access-date=2008-11-13 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080804112125/http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/event/organisers.php#responsibilities <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-08-04}}</ref>

===Safety===
Each competitor is responsible for his or her own safety. There are no rules, but there are guidelines, which should be followed. The basic safety check was the ''stub check''. The competitor hands in his stub at the start and his control card at the finish. Event officials match the two and any unmatched stubs represent a missing competitor. This has been superseded with electronic punching in that event officials can now request a 'still to finish' report listing all those competitors who punched at the start but have not yet downloaded their electronic card. All competitors must report to the finish whether they have completed the course or not.<ref name=nutshell/><ref name=ounlimited/>

===Personal clothing===
IOF rule 21.1 is that the specification for clothing is delegated to the national organising body, and no specific clothing is required.<ref name=iof-rules2>{{cite web|url=http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?/iof2006/document_library/rules_and_guidelines/foot_orienteering|title=IOF Foot-O Rules|access-date=2008-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614090613/http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.php?%2Fiof2006%2Fdocument_library%2Frules_and_guidelines%2Ffoot_orienteering|archive-date=2008-06-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> Unique among English speaking countries, Ireland and the UK require legs to be covered. Rule 7.1.1 requires ''full body cover'': the torso and legs must be covered,<ref name=bof-rules>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/downloads/documents/2007Rules_Jan07.pdf|title=BOF Event Rules|access-date=2008-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704171146/http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/downloads/documents/2007Rules_Jan07.pdf|archive-date=2008-07-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> while organizer may allow shorts (e.g., in park or street orienteering).  In the United States, rule A.34.1 states that competitors are free to choose clothing that they are most comfortable in (full leg cover is ''not'' required), unless specifically stated in the meet announcement. In Australia, under the 2021 rules, 2.1.21, the choice of clothing is also left up to the competitor, and full leg cover is not required.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Australian Orienteering Rules|url=https://orienteering.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/OAFootCompetitionRules2021.pdf}}</ref> In Canada, no specific clothing is required, but participants are encouraged to wear clothing suitable for the weather, and hiking or running shoes. Similarly in New Zealand, there are no rules in force limiting orienteers to running only in full leg cover. 

The early competitors used standard athletic clothing, i.e., shorts and an athletic vest, which provided little protection for racing through [[undergrowth]]. Purpose-made lightweight [[nylon]] full-body suits were later adopted. The early ''O-suits'' were made in muted colours but modern suits are generally multi-coloured. Clubs often organise the bulk purchase of clothing, which are then made in the club colours with the club's name prominently displayed. Some competitors prefer [[Spandex|lycra]] [[tights]] or leggings. [[Gaiters]] are also often worn. Lightweight studded (and often cleated) orienteering shoes are commonly used.

===Personal equipment===
[[File:Compasses orienteering.jpg|thumb|Thumb compass and protractor compass]]
The basic equipment required for orienteering is usually listed as a compass and appropriate outdoor clothing. Most national bodies recommend that a [[whistle]] be carried for safety reasons.

Competitive orienteers usually use specialized equipment:
* A [[thumb compass]], or [[protractor compass]] on a short wrist cord.
* A clear map case to protect the map. May be provided by organizers in competitions.
* A clear plastic sleeve, worn on the forearm, to hold control descriptions.
* A map board, fixed to the handlebars or worn on the arm or strapped to the torso  (MTB-O, Ski-o and [[Amateur radio direction finding|ARDF]] only).
* IOF rules forbid the use of artificial aids that competitors can refer to during a race, so [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] and other electronic navigation devices are not used. ([[Amateur radio direction finding|ARDF]] may allow them at some events).  [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] logging devices that track and record position, without allowing competitors to refer to the data during the race, are permitted, and are increasingly being used for post-race route-choice analysis and live tracking for event spectators.

<gallery>
File:Eun Kyoung Sung from South Korea at the 2004 ARDF World Championship.jpg|[[Amateur radio direction finding|ARDF]] orienteer wearing a map board on his left arm
File:Lob-fran-crop.jpg|[[Ski orienteering|Ski orienteer]] wearing a map board on a torso harness
File:Wilimy-crop.jpg|Mountain bike orienteer with a map board on bike handlebars
</gallery>

==Competition types==
[[File:Gold Relay UK WOC 2008-crop.jpg|thumb|left|Foot-O relay, the winner crosses the line – joined by the rest of his team]]

Orienteering events can be classified in many different aspects:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://orienteering.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IOF-Rules-2018-v1.14final.pdf |title=IOF rules |date=2018 |website=orienteering.org |access-date=2017-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221909/http://orienteering.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IOF-Rules-2018-v1.14final.pdf |archive-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* By method of travel: [[FootO]], [[SkiO]], [[Mountain bike orienteering|MTBO]], etc.
* By the length: sprint, middle, long
* By the time the competition was held: day, night
* By the number of competitors: individual, team, relay
* By the visiting order of controls: cross-country (in a specific order), score (free to decide order)

===Long===
Classic orienteering involves a race between controls in a preset order.  The winner is the person who completes the course in the shortest time. This is called a "cross-country" course as distinct from a score course (see below). Courses are normally designed so that the fastest route is not straightforward to find on the map, or to follow on the ground. The classic race has a typical winning time of 75–90 minutes. As of 2007, the IOF have dictated that the "classic" course should be redesignated the "long".

===Middle===
[[File:Orienteering.jpg|thumb|An orienteering control]]
The middle distance is a shorter cross-country race than the classic (or long), with a winning time in the region of 30 minutes and with an emphasis more on fine navigation than route-choice. When races of this distance were run in the mid-late 1990s, they were called "short" races, or "sprint-O". The short distance was introduced as a world championship discipline in 1991. More recently, though the IOF have renamed this distance as "middle".

===Relay===
A [[relay race]] is run by a team of competitors each running a course, and the result is based on the team's total time. Relays usually employ a mass start instead of a staggered start. Relays are part of [[World Orienteering Championships]] both as sprint relays and as cross-country relays. Additionally, there are popular mass club races out of which [[Jukola relay]] has the highest number of participating clubs 1,787 (in 2015), while [[25-manna]] has the highest number of legs 25.  To reduce competitors following each other, various spreading methods might be used. This is called "gaffling", which is a Swedish word meaning "forking". The key principle is that every team must run every leg (between each pair of two controls), but not necessarily in the same order. The IOF have introduced the nomenclature to try to clarify the usage of the word "leg". In orienteering usage, leg normally refers to the part of a race between two control points. In relay (non-orienteering) usage, leg refers to the part of a race run by a single team member. The IOF prefer "lap" for this latter term, but despite this, in common parlance, "leg" is used for both terms.

===Score===
Competitors visit as many controls as possible within a time limit. There is usually a mass start (rather than staggered), with a time limit. Controls may have different point values depending on difficulty, and there is a point penalty for each minute late. The competitor with the most points is the winner.
The large-scale, endurance-style version of a Score-O is known as a [[Rogaining|rogaine]], competed by teams in events lasting (often) 24 hours. A very large area is used for competition, and the map scale is smaller. The format originated in Australia. The term ROGAINE is often said to stand for Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation and Endurance; this is essentially a [[backronym]], as the name actually originates from the names of Rod, Gail and Neil Phillips, who were among Australian Rogaining's first participants.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ptoc.org/begin_guide/htdocs/courses.html|title= Point-to-point orienteering (also called Cross-country orienteering)|access-date=2008-05-08}}</ref>

===Sprint===
Very short races, with winning times in the region of 12–15 minutes, often held in city [[park]]s and other more urban settings. Map scales are usually 1:5,000 or 1:4,000. Control sites can include benches, litterbins, sculptures, and other objects common to urban parks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lazarus.elte.hu/mc/specs/issom2005.pdf|title=International Specification for Sprint Orienteering Maps|date=April 15, 2008|publisher=International Orienteering Federation|access-date=2008-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050506211804/http://lazarus.elte.hu/mc/specs/issom2005.pdf|archive-date=2005-05-06|url-status=live}}</ref> The sprint distance may also be held in the forest, when it would be called a "forest sprint" as opposed to an "urban sprint". This distance was pioneered in the late 1990s as an elite event by the Park World Tour organisation who organised an independent "world cup" in park sprint orienteering. In 2001 in Tampere, the IOF included a sprint distance in the orienteering world championships.

===Ultrasprint===
[[File:BDHX.jpg|thumb|300 px|A setting for indoor ultrasprint orienteering]]
Ultrasprint events are held in a specially constructed labyrinth. Due to the limited area of the labyrinth, ultrasprint is a more spectator-friendly form of orienteering. Also, as the course is artificial, identical courses can be set in different geographical locations for simultaneous local competitions as parts of a larger tournament.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nopesport.com/news/1139-sheffield-ultrasprint| title = Sheffield Ultrasprint}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://sportlabyrinth.com/index/0-10| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090901161831/http://sportlabyrinth.com/index/0-10| url-status = usurped| archive-date = September 1, 2009| title = Sport Labyrinth| date = 9 May 2021}}</ref>

===Night===
[[File:Start.jpg|thumb|Studying the map at the start of a night orienteering competition, or "night-o"]]
Competitors use a [[Headlamp (outdoor)|headlamp]] to navigate in the dark. Reflective markers often are used on control point flags, which shifts the tactics from precision navigation to searching.  Competitors can travel at high speed to the vicinity of the control point, then sweep the area with the light to catch a reflection off the control flag.  If a night event starts before dark, a mass start must be used so all competitors have equal time in the light and dark. The two classic club relays, Tiomila and [[Jukola]], both include night legs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.4orienteering.com/terrain_association/56/
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116062027/http://www.4orienteering.com/terrain_association/56/
|url-status=usurped
|archive-date=January 16, 2013
|title=Night Navigation
|access-date=2008-05-08
}}</ref>  Full length (24-hour) rogaines and many adventure races run through the night, without a light period, and competitors may choose not to rest.

===String===
Competitors follow a string around a short course, noting down things that they find on the way. This is generally used by young children and people new to the sport who want to find out what it is like.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://orienteeringusa.org/youth-leaders/materials/o-young |title=The String Course |access-date=2012-05-04 |publisher=Orienteering USA}}
</ref>

===Precision===
Precision orienteering generally is not a speed event, but rather a test of the competitors' ability to precisely match map and terrain.  Examples include [[trail orienteering|trail-O]] (untimed), TREC style [[mounted orienteering]], and [[Radio Orienteering in a Compact Area]] (ROCA).  Both trail-O and ROCA use decoys in the vicinity of the control point.

==The Olympics==
Efforts begun in 1996 to promote the inclusion of orienteering in the [[Olympic Games]] have so far been unsuccessful, although orienteering became a sport in the [[World Games]] in 2001, and is a sport in the Summer [[Deaflympics]].  Supporters recognize that the sport is neither television- nor spectator-friendly, the venue of competition is often necessarily remote from major cities, and the duration of the event is longer than most other individual competitions.<ref name="Brady">{{cite web|last=Brady|first=Gerry|title=The Olympics, Orienteering and Ireland|publisher=The Irish Orienteer|year=2008|edition=94|url=http://orienteering.ie/tio/94/OLYMPICS.htm|access-date=2008-08-16}}</ref>  Efforts to develop a format suitable for Olympic competitions have focused on park orienteering, micro-orienteering, and short-distance relays. Sprint Orienteering on foot as a format of the sport is most likely to be included in Olympic Games, as this discipline is becoming more and more popular worldwide and can have a significant spectator interest. According to the website of a Chicago Orienteering club, "the International Orienteering Federation is committed to entering the Olympic World."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicago-orienteering.org/newsletter/article0303f.htm|title=Current Status of Orienteering in the Olympics|publisher=Chicago Area Orienteering Club|access-date=2008-09-28}}</ref>

Although not an official [[demonstration sport]], an international [[ski-orienteering]] event was held in [[Sugadaira Kōgen]], [[Japan]], as part of the International Cultural Festival held in conjunction with the [[1998 Winter Olympics|XVIII Winter Olympic Games]] in [[Nagano, Nagano|Nagano]] in 1998.<ref name="IOF_Council">{{cite web|url=http://www.orienteering.org/press/ccil0197.htm |title=Extensive discussion on the Olympic item |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |access-date=2008-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061201155503/http://www.orienteering.org/press/ccil0197.htm |archive-date=December 1, 2006 }}</ref>  The International Orienteering Federation petitioned the International Olympic Committee in 2002 to include ski orienteering in the [[2006 Winter Olympics|2006 Winter Olympic Games]], noting that it could share the venue with the [[biathlon]] competitions.<ref name="Rönnberg_1">{{cite web|url=http://www.orienteering.org/ozine0203.htm |title=Ski Orienteering's Olympic Bid |last=Rönnberg |first=Barbro |date=March 2002 |work=O-zine |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |access-date=2008-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209145610/http://www.orienteering.org/ozine0203.htm |archive-date=December 9, 2006 }}</ref> In its formal recommendation that ski orienteering not be included in those games, the Olympic Programme Commission focused on a lack of participation in the sport outside [[Nordic countries]], "the challenges for broadcasters and spectators to easily follow the competition", and the costs associated with new technology and a new results system.<ref name="olympic_programme_commission">{{cite web|url=http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_520.pdf|title=Review of the Olympic Programme and the Recommendations on the Programme of the XX Olympic Winter Games, Turin 2006|last=Cararro|first=Franco|year=2002|publisher=Olympic Programme Commission|access-date=2008-09-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050513184657/http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_520.pdf|archivedate=2005-05-13}}</ref> In 2005, the [[International Olympic Committee]] confirmed that ski orienteering was under consideration for inclusion in the review process of the Olympic sport program for the [[2014 Winter Olympics|2014 Winter Olympic Games]].<ref name="Rönnberg_2">{{cite web|url=http://www.orienteering.org/ozine0512.pdf |title=Green light for continued Olympic campaign |last=Barbrod |first=Rönnberg |date=December 2005 |work=O-Zine |publisher=International Orienteering Federation |access-date=2008-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209144914/http://www.orienteering.org/ozine0512.pdf |archive-date=December 9, 2006 }}</ref>  On 28 November 2006, the Executive Board of the [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]] decided not to include any new sports in this review process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=1972|title=Olympic programme updates|publisher=International Olympic Federation|access-date=2008-09-28}}</ref>

== Events ==
=== World Orienteering Championships ===
{{Main|World Orienteering Championships}}
The World Orienteering Championships (WOC) is an annual event organised by the [[International Orienteering Federation]].  The first World Championships was held in [[Fiskars, Finland|Fiskars]], [[Finland]] in 1966. They were held biennially up to 2003 (with the exception of 1978 and 1979). Since 2003, competitions have been held annually.

The format of the World Orienteering Championships alternates every 2 years, with even years hosting sprint format events and odd years hosting forest format events.<ref>{{Cite web|title=World Orienteering Championships 2023 awarded to Switzerland and WOC 2025 to Finland {{!}} International Orienteering Federation|url=https://orienteering.sport/world-orienteering-championships-2023-awarded-to-switzerland-and-woc-2025-to-finland/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=orienteering.sport|language=en}}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, when applying the Olympic-style [[Olympic medal table#Medal count ranking|gold first rankings method]] to medals won at the World Orienteering Championships, [[Sport in Europe|Europe]] has been dominant, with [[Sweden]]'s 171 medals won marking them as the most successful world championships nation.

=== World Games ===
{{Main|Orienteering at the World Games}}
Orienteering has been a part of the World Games program since 2001.

=== European Championships ===
{{Main|European Orienteering Championships}}
As Orienteering is a sport practiced primarily in Europe, the European Orienteering Championships is also an important event in the orienteering calendar. As of 2021, the European Championships is held in tandem with the World Championships, with the European Championships hosting the Sprint events when the World Championships hosts the Forest events and vice versa.

=== World Cup ===
{{Main|Orienteering World Cup}}
The annual Orienteering World Cup is hosted over a number of events throughout the year, with winners of the overall world cup being awarded following the final event.

=== World University Orienteering Championships ===
{{Main|World University Orienteering Championships}}
The World University Orienteering Championships are hosted biannually.

=== Junior World Championships ===
{{Main|Junior World Orienteering Championships}}
The Junior World Championships has been held every year since 1990.

=== European Youth Orienteering Championships ===
{{Main|European Youth Orienteering Championships}}
The European Youth Championships are the main international event for Junior orienteers below the age of 18.

=== O-Ringen ===
{{Main|O-Ringen}}
A multi-day event with open entry held in different locations in [[Sweden]], O-Ringen is the largest multi-day orienteering event in the world.

=== Jukola relay ===
{{Main|Jukola relay}}
A night relay with open entry held in different locations in [[Finland]], Jukola is the largest relay orienteering event in the world. Jukola is considered equal to Tiomila as the most prestigious event in club orienteering.

=== Tiomila ===
{{Main|Tiomila}}
A night relay with open entry held in different locations in [[Sweden]], Tiomila is considered equal to Jukola as the most prestigious event in club orienteering.

== Semiotic Research ==
Finding the way around the outdoors is still very important. When people visit [[National park|National Parks]] or other wild lands, they need to know where they are going on trails and paths. Over the years nature changes. Trees grow and fall over, wildfires occur, and floods take place. Therefore, signage and environmental markers need to change too. In one study, National Park staff asked 36 participants to think out loud while going through the park, reading the park map, and interpreting signage throughout the park. The researchers analyzed and reviewed the participants' comments to evaluate signage design and placement. This helped the staff understand how to improve signage so that hikers felt more at ease and oriented. Novice hikers, especially, may not understand non-textual hiking signs such as blazes, cairns, and ducks.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Soh|first1=Boon Kee|last2=Smith-Jackson|first2=Tonya L.|date=2016-11-05|title=Designing Cues for Recreational Parks to Support Wayfinding Behaviors|url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/154193120304700616|journal=Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting|volume=47|issue=6|pages=913–917|language=en|doi=10.1177/154193120304700616| s2cid=129167796 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Other studies have focused on novice orienteers solving orienteering tasks. One involved eight hiking volunteers. Half did a recording and audio during the hike while half verbalized after the hike what they saw and experienced. [[Hiking|Hikers]] described their orienteering activity and made suggestions on how to improve the teaching of orienteering and orienteering practices.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Comprehensive Analysis of Navigation by Novice Orienteers Based on Two Orienteering Tasks|last=Saury|first=Jacques|publisher=De Boeck Supérieur|year=2014|isbn=9782804189907|location=France}}</ref>

A central problem is [[map]] reading skills and understanding the imprecision of maps as a scaled down abstraction of an area at a single point in time. Hikers unused to orienteering often lack these skills and this understanding. Also, there are many kinds of maps, people need to be aware of the differences, what type of maps will work best for them, and particular issues such as scale and [[magnetic declination]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Biegler|first1=Robert|last2=Pfuhl|first2=Gerit|date=2017-02-09|title=Do humans know the imprecision inherent in a map?|url=http://ojs.meta-carto-semiotics.org/index.php/mcs/article/view/24|journal=Meta-carto-semiotics|language=en|volume=4|issue=1|pages=15–19|issn=1868-1387|archive-date=2021-04-27|access-date=2019-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427145146/http://ojs.meta-carto-semiotics.org/index.php/mcs/article/view/24|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Semiotics]] is an important tool to improve one's understanding of maps and way-finding in the outdoors. [[Topography]] and symbols for water, trees, private vs. public land etc. are all important semiotic markers for reading maps, orienteering, and finding one's way around the wilderness. Map symbols need to be simple, understandable, and meet professional [[cartography]] standards. Carto semiotics helps make sense of symbols used in different types of maps such as [[globe]]s, [[Raised-relief map|relief models]], and [[animation]]s. Carto semiotics also includes the study of [[Cartography|map keys]], legends, and units of measurement between destinations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://icaci.org/files/documents/ICC_proceedings/ICC2009/html/refer/30_1.pdf|title=OVERVIEW OF THE SEMIOTICS OF MAPS|last=Schlichtmann|first=Hansgeorg|date=Spring 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513001440/https://icaci.org/files/documents/ICC_proceedings/ICC2009/html/refer/30_1.pdf|archive-date=2015-05-13|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Adventure racing]]
* [[Cross country running|Cross-country running]]
* [[Fastpacking]]
* [[Fell running]]
* [[Geocaching]]
* [[Letterboxing (hobby)|Letterboxing]]
* [[Off-trail hiking]]
* [[Rallying]] ([[Rally raid]])
* [[Trail blazing]]
* [[Underwater orienteering]]
* [[Wayfinding]]
* [[Rogaining]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wiktionary|orienteering}}
{{commons category|Orienteering}}
{{Wikivoyage|Orienteering}}
* [http://www.orienteering.org/ International Orienteering Federation]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v58-RqssqUc YouTube.com:  Orienteering, USOF style]

{{Orienteering}}
{{Sports of the World Games program}}
{{Extreme sports}}
{{Racing}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Orienteering| ]]
[[Category:Individual sports]]
[[Category:Navigation]]
[[Category:Outdoor locating games]]
[[Category:Racing]]