Orienteering is a running sport involving navigation with a map and compass. The traditional form (sometimes referred to as "Foot Orienteering" or "Foot-O") involves cross-country running, though other forms have evolved. The competition is a timed race in which individual participants use a special purpose map and a magnetic compass to navigate through diverse terrain (often wooded) and visit, in sequence, control points that are indicated on the map. The course of control points is kept a secret from competitors before the start, when they are provided with a detailed topographic map on which the course is marked. Competitors start at staggered intervals, are individually timed, and are expected to perform all navigation skills on their own. Standings are determined first by successful completion of the course, then by shortest time on course. Rules and principles of the sport are defined by the International Orienteering Federation.

The English name derives from the Swedish word "orientering". The term was first used to describe the sport in 1918 by Major Ernst Killander, then President of the Stockholm Amateur Athletic Association, in publicity for the first large scale competitive meet held in Sweden.Palmer, Peter (1997). The Complete Orienteering Manual. Wiltshire, England: The Crowood Press Ltd., ISBN Booksoures/1861260954, p. 19.

History

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Early days

Orienteering originated in Scandinavia, as a military exercise, in the late 19th century. The competitive sport form began in Norway where the first competition was sponsored by the Tjalve Sports Club on 31 October 1897 and held near Oslo. The course was quite long by modern standards, at 19.5 km, on which only three controls were placed. Peder Fossum won the event in a time of 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 7 seconds.Palmer, Peter (1997). The Complete Orienteering Manual. Wiltshire, England: The Crowood Press Ltd., ISBN Booksoures/1861260954, p. 18-19. The first large scale orienteering meet was organized in 1918 by Major Ernst Killander of Stockholm, Sweden. Killander was a scout leader who turned to the sport as an opportunity to interest youth in athletics. The first large scale event was organized south of Stockholm and was attended by 220 athletes.Boga, Steven (1997). Orienteering: The Sport of Navigating with Map & Compass. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA: Stackpole Books. ISBN Booksources/0811728706. p. 1. Killander continued to develop the rules and principles of the sport, and today is widely regarded throughout Scandinavia as the "Father of Orienteering."

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Going to the battlefield eventually (currently off the way en route to Costco). Orienteering for the Linds.
yesmarcus (Marcus Cullen) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:49:15 -0000
Going to the battlefield eventually (currently off the way en route to Costco). Orienteering for the Linds.
Celine Dodin: Toussaint en Provence 2009: 26-27-28 octobre 2009 Je n\�tais pas l� au.. http://bit.ly/4yzXVJ #orienteering
worldofo_news (worldofo.com - news) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:22:19 -0000
Celine Dodin: Toussaint en Provence 2009: 26-27-28 octobre 2009 Je n\�tais pas l� au.. http://bit.ly/4yzXVJ #orienteering
Feet, blisters, ankles! - Attackpoint : Orienteering training... http://tinyurl.com/yb65k7z
aimee_48grx (Aimee Hooper) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:20:43 -0000
Feet, blisters, ankles! - Attackpoint : Orienteering training... http://tinyurl.com/yb65k7z
@iamkermee wow...you take your orienteering seriously
ukdavew (Dave Williams) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:50:49 -0000
@iamkermee wow...you take your orienteering seriously
Currently there are 560 fans on our facebook page @WOC2010 join us at http://bit.ly/ADGlm for more info. #orienteering
WOC2010 (WOC 2010) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:28:25 -0000
Currently there are 560 fans on our facebook page @WOC2010 join us at http://bit.ly/ADGlm for more info. #orienteering
Currently there are 560 fans on our facebook page @WOC2010 join us at http://bit.ly/ADGlm for more info. #orienteering
Gjervan (Paul Gjervan) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:27:55 -0000
Currently there are 560 fans on our facebook page @WOC2010 join us at http://bit.ly/ADGlm for more info. #orienteering

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