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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Crammed 40 minutes #orienteering into 1 hour this morning... Bought the Christmas #tree too (didn't just nick one from the wood - no axe!)
dadge (Adrian) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:01:16 -0000
Crammed 40 minutes #orienteering into 1 hour this morning... Bought the Christmas #tree too (didn't just nick one from the wood - no axe!)
OROC 280 http://www.nopesport.com/news/1261-new-look-inov-8-orienteering-shoes-coming-in-april-2010
Inov8uk (inov-8 UK) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:57:40 -0000
OROC 280 http://www.nopesport.com/news/1261-new-look-inov-8-orienteering-shoes-coming-in-april-2010
Jörgen Mårtensson criticizes IOF http://bit.ly/5PuKf7 #orienteering
orienteeringis (Orienteering.is) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:50:19 -0000
Jörgen Mårtensson criticizes IOF http://bit.ly/5PuKf7 #orienteering
Arboga OK, Julserien etapp 1 - November 29th 2009 - Orienteering Map from RunOway maps http://bit.ly/5JosVu #omap
orienteeringmap (Orienteering Maps) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:36:11 -0000
Arboga OK, Julserien etapp 1 - November 29th 2009 - Orienteering Map from RunOway maps http://bit.ly/5JosVu #omap
Gløggløpet - December 19th 2009 - Orienteering Map from Terje Mathisen http://bit.ly/6PsIi3 #omap
orienteeringmap (Orienteering Maps) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:06:30 -0000
Gløggløpet - December 19th 2009 - Orienteering Map from Terje Mathisen http://bit.ly/6PsIi3 #omap
Quick orienteering race in -10 and snow today. 7.8 k in 42'. Magnets in Bikernieki.
anatolijs (anatolijs) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:14:19 -0000
Quick orienteering race in -10 and snow today. 7.8 k in 42'. Magnets in Bikernieki.

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