Check this out:
http://news.worldofo.com/2009/05/25/new-iof-rules-no-more-gps-watches-on-wre-events/
There are changes made in IOF rules recently. It's valid from 1st of June.
What about mtb-o? Any rumours?


K.

MTBO rules are far more specific in a sense that they clearly refer to GPS systems, but they still allow "carry" (if not used).

21.5 During the competition the only navigational aids that competitors may use are the map and control descrïptions provided by the organiser, and a compass. A cycle computer may be used provided that it does not incorporate any satellite-based navigation aid.

I see no point in changing this, as I see no benefit (maybe out of ignorance?) from using GPS systems under normal race conditions for bikers with decent navigational skills. However there potential benefits in using them as tracking devices.

I am not aware of any intended changes, but it is true that apparently not many Foot-O competitors were asked before the changes were introduced.

I think the IOF wants to be at the safe side and its easier and clearer to disallow everything than say that you can carry a GPS but you are not allowed to use it for navigation as they had planned a while ago.

In the MTBO-commission it was decided that a GPS-device will not really help a reasonably good orienteer. It only might help you to find back to the map if you get totally lost but then your result is not interesting anymore anyway.

Reasons for prohibiting GPS according to IOF-IT-commission:

• In ski-o races competitors have used GPS-devices to track their courses and after that they had a basic map of the terrain with tracks and information how fast you can go there. This map was used as preparation for the next day's race in the same terrain. A situation that is quite similar possible in MTBO even though I have never heard of anybody doing that in MTBO.
  

• In butterflies (as they occur quite often in foot-o) it is possible to mark the butterfly control as a waypoint in your GPS-device and to go back to it you just need to follow the advice of the GPS.
  

• Development of technology is quite fast and you dont know what GPS-devices can do in a few years time. So its easier to close all loopholes by prohibiting them completely.
  

The IT-commission also said that the IOF wants to check the use of such devices at international races (I guess mainly WOC) and not allow competitors to start with these respective disqualify them. I am not sure if they care about MTBO and I dont think they will send anybody to Israel to do that.

Michi

I use a GPS-mouse as tracking tool. But it has no display only a compass function to show the north. I don't see a reason to restrict such tools.
I don't think somebody is preparing a map with velocities that quite often depend on the situation as well. When you have been on a certain track the race before you will know the quality in the next race as every other competitor.
But I think it is good to prohibit GPS-devices with display that can be used for orienteering. Even if you loose time when you get lost it may be faster for you to find back. And even for backenders it might be important to get fair competition rules.

However, there is more, not only GPS (Galileo and a Russan system - I forgot the name).