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Here is analysis of what could you expect on Croatia open 2012. Courses-planners will be Ivica Urbanc and Matjaž Štanfel and they will do their best to put real orienteering challenge in front of you! Course-planing process for CO starts 15 month before competition. First we determine exact positions of finish arena, than we choose apropriate position for start (which should be both attractive and usefull - for ex. in shade). After that, we are planing courses for elite categories and we are making several testing during this preparation period. 6 months before official start of event courses for all categories are done. In this last period we are again checking terrains, maps and control descriptions. 1 month before competition last field check is made and maps are prpared for printing. FIRST STAGE – KARST HEAVEN – GOLUBINJAK (short-middle)
SECOND STAGE – MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY – KRK (sprint)
REST DAY – EXPLORE CROATIA On rest day we are ready to provide… Well, simply said - something for everybody! For all of you who consider 5 stages not enough for your orienteering appetite we will provide several training maps in area Gorski kotar and Kvarner. Courses will be marked in forest with paper orienteering markers. We can offer trainings on several types of terrain – karst (from extremely stony to rock-free), alpine (above 1000 m made under ice age influence), continental (with steams and river network under water erosion), park and urban. Beside NP “Risnjak” – which is heaven for hikers and mountain lovers, this year on rest day we will provide bus transport from Delnice to NP Plitvička jezera! Soon we will publish online booking for bus. NP Pilitvička jezera is the oldest and most beautiful national park in Croatia with impressive lakes and waterfalls. Note that we will not provide you orienteering maps from Plitivice. Also, you may visit some of Croatian islands but unfortunately, there will not be official boat transport organized.
THIRD STAGE – WHERE SOUTH MEETS NORTH – SUNGERSKI BUKOVAC (long)
FOURTH STAGE – SWAM AND LAKE DAY – SUNGERSKI LUG (short long)
FIFTH STAGE – FIFTH GEAR STAGE – SUNGERSKI LUG (middle)
HERE we will publish preliminary course lenghts (you may expect that in few months)... |
On first stage virgin terrain will be presented on new map “Golubinjak”. Golubinjak will cover protected park-forest close to small highland village – Lokve. Expect very detailed karst with plenty of high cliffs, giant boulders and caves but with almost no paths (if you think that we are lying take a look at 
Time to relax… Explore old town of Krk with map and compass in hand! Narrow labyrinth of streets without traffic is just perfect for orienteering. Expect plenty of route-choices (including few long legs on course) on two types of terrain – urban and park (Mediterranean with pine trees) in one event! From finish arena we will organize boat transport towards start which all competitors will use. Finish will be placed on beach “Dražica”, few meters from Adriatic sea and some km north of 45° N longitude so do not forget to take swimming suite ;). Sun, fun and sea guaranteed!
Yes, you have read it well – “where south meets north”. Quite strange terrain(s) for orienteering… Start in extremely flat "Scandinavian" terrain, get lost in demanding hilly karst area and finish in continental terrain with steep slopes and long routes… Three types of terrain in 3 km radius? Is it possible – you wonder? On Croatia open 2012 we are here to put out all answers! Map will be positioned on altitude from 770-950 m and will be drawn in scale 1 : 10 000 (although it will be long distance stage, terrain is too detailed for 15 000 scale therefore all categories will use 10 000).
On this stage expect flat and fast terrain… Unique flat type of terrain will occur on 80% of courses while 20% will be continental terrain. Terrain is quite unique and represents mixture of Dinaric karst with Scandinavian vegetation . Also, on terrain there is a lot of marshes very similar to ones in north. That is also reason why Sungerski lug area is strict forest reserve. Some stony areas may occur. Map will be positioned on altitude from 770-850 m and will be drawn in scale 1 : 10 000.
Real stage for true technical orienteers. Flat, fast and detailed describes this last stage of CO 2012. 100% of orienteering fun on this stage included. Expect many control points with many changes of directions. Since terrain is quite flat expect longer courses (up to 6,7 km for men elite) but wining time will be 35 min. Map will be positioned on altitude of 800 m and will be drawn in scale 1 : 10 000. For senior categories (M45, W40 and older) we will prepare map in scale 1 : 7 500.
