|
For more information, click on one of the following
links.
What is orienteering?
Punching systems
Map and compass
Types of event
Return to the main About Orienteering page.
Return to the CLOK Home Page
|
Punching systems
I mentioned earlier that each control point includes a way of enabling
competitors to prove that they have visited that control. There are two
different systems for doing this.
In a "conventional" punching system, each control has a pin punch, which
competitors use to mark the appropriate box on their control card.
Each pin punch has its own particular pattern of pins, so the marks in the
boxes on a competitor's control card show which controls he or she has
visited.
Over the last couple of years we have been introducing electronic punching.
Each control has an electronic box and competitors carry electronic
control cards, generally called "dibbers". When a dibber is inserted into
a control box the box transmits its ID and the time to the dibber. When
this information is downloaded at the finish you get a complete record of
which controls you visited at what times.
The best way to get a practical understanding of these punching systems is
to go along to an event and ask someone to demonstrate the punching system
before you go out on your run.
Go back to the main About
Orienteering page.
|
