2007 Sierra Ski-O Week
Course Specifications for the 2007 Sierra Ski-Orienteering Week
See the Schedules page for links to pages describing each event. Each of those pages lists the course specifications for that race day. For a general listing of our targeted guidelines, see the following table:
Max Length (KM)
Course Short Medium Long Description
------- ----- ------ ---- ---------------------
White 2- 3 3- 4 4- 5 For beginning skiers who are orienteering for the
first time. Each course leg offers a trail choice at
a trail junction. Optimal routes are on beginner
trails.
Competitive classes: F-white and M-white
Orange 4- 6 6- 8 8-10 For intermediate ski orienteers who are at least
novice skiers. Each course leg offers a moderate
route selection with optimal routes on intermediate
or beginner ski trails.
Competitive classes: F55+, F-16, F-orange, and
M-orange
Green 6- 8 8-10 10-14 For advanced ski orienteers able to ski on black
diamond trails. Each leg can offer a complex route
selection (multiple route choices) on any trails.
Controls can be placed in places requiring good
skiing skills to punch in efficiently (for example,
on a steep downhill). We generally do not use the
toughest black-diamond trails on this course.
Competitive classes: F40+, F-20, M55+, M-16,
F-green, and M-green.
Red 8-10 10-14 14-18 Same as green only longer and more physically
challenging.
Competitive classes: F-21+, M40+, M-20, and M-red.
Blue 10-14 14-18 18-21 Same as red only longer and more physically
challenging. Anything goes on this course--be
prepared.
Competitive classes: Amazon (for non US Champs
events) and M-21+.
These descriptions are not exact. The exact definition, according to USOF guidelines, is that the blue course should be designed so that a 100-point skier will finish in 60-90 minutes. USOF also has only four courses (no green course). So that female competitors other than F-21+ can enjoy competing on advanced courses offering complex routing, we created a short advanced course. The generous attendance that we have been enjoying at our events easily justifies this expansion of courses.
When events are scheduled back to back, we generally shorten the long courses to medium-length courses, except where there is a US championship event. In the case of the 2007 Sierra Ski-O Week, there is a rest day before the US Long Course Championship, which enables everyone the rest they need to compete at their best at the US Champs.
Short courses are about 65 percent as long as the long courses.