Competition Instructions

41. Venla Relay

The competition will start as a mass start on Saturday, 16^th June 2018 at 14:00. Runners must register their Emit car details no later than 20 minutes before the start of the race. After the Emit card has been read and reset runners will proceed to the start area. After this, instructions given in the section “Start” will be followed.

All courses include approximately 500-700 meters of marked route. All legs have forking. Competitors born in years 2002-2003 are recommended to run leg 3. The finish line for the Venla Relay will be closed at 22:30.

70. Jukola Relay

The competition will start as a mass start on Saturday, 16^th June 2018 at 23:00. Runners must register their Emit car details no later than 20 minutes before the start of the race. After the Emit card has been read and reset runners will proceed to the start area. After this, instructions given in the section “Start” will be followed.

All courses include approximately 500-700 meters of marked route. All legs have forking. Competitors born in years 2002-2003 are recommended to run legs 4 or 5. The finish line for the Jukola Relay will be closed at 15:00.

Competition Rules and Instructions

The rules of the Finnish Orienteering Federation (FOF) apply together with the instructions given by the organizers. The FOF rules for orienteering sports can be found in Finnish at www.suunnistusliitto.fi. whilst the competition rules will be published on the competition’s information board.

Competition Terrain

The competition terrain is located in Hälvälä, Hollola. The most recently held national orienteering competition on this terrain took place in 2007. An old map of the area can be found from the competition information board and on the Lahti-Hollola-Jukola website.

The competition terrain is dominated by many ice-age formed depressions along the edges of which are Pine forests and rocky areas. The terrain is rocky in many places but there is are also areas of good runability.  The deepest depressions are around 40 meters deep but the majority of the depressions are much flatter. The area has undergone normal amounts of forestry work and these can be seen more clearly in the eastern part of the terrain where there are clear tree line patterns. There has been limited amount of fresh forest thinning however visibility on the ground is good. All in all on offer is one of Finland’s largest genuine depression filled terrains.  More information and pictures of terrain.

In the terrain, there are TV production related constructions which are not marked on the competition map. TV controls are not marked in the control descriptions. You may also come across organizers running with cameras, camera helicopters or camera cars in the terrain.

The competition will be partly staged on terrain which has, for decades, formed part of the Finnish Defense Forces training ground. The most probable areas where unexploded ordinance is likely to be has been inspected before the competition, but

If any competitor detects any suspect objects on the ground:

* DO NOT TOUCH!

* MARK THE OBJECT if you can, using any available means.

* NOTIFY the organizers of the exact location of the suspicious object.

The Finnish Defense Force are fully prepared for handling unexploded ordinance.

Competition Map and Control Descriptions

The competition map is in the scale of 1:10 000, with a contour interval of 5 meters, no index contours, description ISOM2017. Mapped 2016-2018 by Arvo Paulin and Jarmo Pikkarainen. The material used was a land survey map using the Surveying Instrument’s laser data and aerial photographs. The size of the map in both relays A3. The map is enclosed in a plastic cover. The control descriptions are printed on the map. The control codes are also printed next to the control numbers.

There is warm-up training map available during the competition weekend using terrain to the north of the competition center. The course markings and control descriptions are the same as the ones used in the competition. There are flags and codes in the control points. Maps are sold for 5 euros at the Jukola Information center starting from 15th June 10:00.

Out-of-Bounds / forbidden Areas

Out-of-bounds areas are generally indicated with purple criss-cross stripes on the competition map (see below). A continuous purple line on the edge of an out-of-bounds area on the map means that there is also a continuous Stop tape in the terrain. All private gardens and cultivated land are also forbidden to enter. In addition to these forbidden areas mentioned above there are a number of small out-of-bounds areas (e.g. bird nests) in the terrain which are cordoned off with a out of bounds tape. Due to their small size they are not indicated on the competition map.

Out of bounds / forbidden area tape

Controls and Punching

The actual race controls are similar to the model controls. Model controls are located at the competition information center and adjacent to the entrance gates. The Jukola relay controls for legs 1–4 are provided with reflectors. The controls have to be visited in numerical order. The control’s number and code are printed on the map next to the control symbol. The competition also requires competitors to punch in the finish and in the changeover, at the end of the finish and changeover lines.

Please be aware that in the terrain control points can be very close together and are very similar looking so please make sure you visit the correct control point that is marked on the map.

The above figure shows the locations of the last control points. There is signposting from the last controls to the changeover and finish. Be careful that you visit the correct final control point.

Spectator control

The spectator control is located to the west of the wind shelter area. This control point is located approximately 800m walking distance from the information center. The access route to this control is marked on the area map (Taulamatintie, Juhanintie, Eerontie).

All competitors (in both Venla and Jukola relays) there will visit this control. TV pictures are broadcast from this control to competitors in the exchange area. The fastest competitors will take about 4 minutes to come from the spectator control to the change over area.

Emit punching system

Punching in the competition will be carried out with the electronic Emit punching system. Instructions of how to use the system can be obtained from the competition information center. Each team must have at least three Emit cards. The same card be used in both the Venla relay and in the Jukola relay. A card cannot be used in two consecutive legs or by two different teams in the same relay.

The team material includes an Emit card check slip for each member of the team. This must be attached to the Emit card. On this slip, you must write the letter V (for the Venla relay) or the letter J (for the Jukola relay), your team number and your leg number. The backup slip should be attached to the Emit card with a small piece of thin tape.

The number of your Emit card will be registered when you enter the start / changeover area through the entrance gate (marked with the text “Suomen suurin kuntokoulu”). There your card is read for the results service. Thereafter you will have to insert the card into an Emit reset unit, which clears the card for your leg. After that the Emit card cannot be changed. If your Emit card cannot be read at the registration you will be given a rental Emit card provided by the organizer. You will not be allowed to compete with a broken / unread card. After finishing the leg, you must return the organizer’s card to the Info, where you will be charged 40 € for using the card. Your own card will then be given back to you.

Only a competitor with a competition number can access the start / exchange area. Competitors cannot leave the start / exchange zone after Emit reset. The emit reset point is opened one hour before the start of the Venla / Jukola relay and is open during the relay. The reset point closes 30 minutes after the later restarts.

After finishing their leg, competitors will be guided to the Emit-punching check-out. There the data of the card will be read. If there are any problems with the punching data, the competitor will be guided to the Wailing Wall.

All hired cards must be returned to the Info in the same bag as they were on receiving them. If a team has hired multiple cards they must be returned together. Unreturned or lost cards will be charged at 80€ each. If a card is hired only for the Venla relay then is must be returned to the information center immediately after the relay has finished.

Make sure that you use Jukola’s proper competition card. Only the original unregistered electronic competitive card is allowed in competitions.

The last-minute rental fee for the EMIT card is 40€ / card. If you want rented Emit cards with the team material, you need to make a pre-booking via the registration system by no later than 31^st May 2018.

There are Emit card testing units at the information center and next to the emit check-in area. To test your Emit card, place it onto an Emit card testing unit which is provided with a LED light. If you see the LED light blink, your card works. If the card’s battery is run down or is about to run down the light does not blink. In this instance the competitor will need to rent a new card before checking in at the entrance gate.

Competitors are also advised to test their emit cards in the model control points which are located at the information center and next to the entrance gate The actual controls, the changeover and the finish all have the same kind of punching as the model controls. For the electronic punching to work properly, the Emit card must be put onto the control unit in the right way all the way into the bottom. Because of its shape, the Emit card fits to the control unit one way only. When the punching is done properly, the backup slip in the Emit card will be marked with a pin, in addition to the electronic mark in the actual card.

Starts

The start is situated in Sarvingintie on the old runway in the center of the competition center. The starting area is fenced two hours before departure. The fence is dismantled immediately after the start. Training / Warm-up clothes must not be left on the start area fencing. Clothing must be left in a location where the competitor will be able to collect them after their leg has completed.

The entrance to the departure area is via the entrance gate (“Suomen suurin kuntokoulu”), emit registration and emit reset. You cannot leave the check-in area after check-in. There will be toilets and clean water available.

At the start area, follow the instructions given by the announcer and the officials. About eight minutes before the start, go to your place in the start grid. After that point, the start area cannot be entered anymore. You must approach your place from the western side. There are number plates at the ends of the rows (1-20, 21-40, etc.)  showing which row should have which teams in it.
You will be given a folded map by an official. When you get the map, you must make sure that the map has got your team’s number on it. It is always the competitor’s responsibility to check that the map is the correct one, both in the start and in the changeover. The folded map is sealed with a tape. To unfold the map before the start signal is strictly forbidden. Opening the map too early will lead to disqualification of the team. (If you arrive no more than 15 minutes late you can get the map from an official after the starting signal).

The Finnish Defense Forces will fire the starting gun. You are not allowed to move forward before the gun is fired. Teams that false start or cause others to false start will be disqualified! The handing of the maps and the actual start will be videoed.

The route from the starting / changeover area to the K point (the actual starting point) is signposted on both sides. The K point does not need to be emit stamped.

The starting point is narrow. Observe precautions when starting and re-starting. The runners of the first leg can familiarize themselves and warm-up to the first curve towards the K-point (apprx. 300 m).

Changeover

There are marked routes from the last controls to the changeover / finish line.  Before arriving to the changeover or finish, the competitors will be split to separate lanes on the basis of their leg numbers at the point of separation, choose the lane above which you can see your leg number on an electronic screen. NB! The numbering on the screen changes during the relay. The fastest teams in each leg will be guided to the leftmost lane. The organizers will be responsible for guiding the runners into the correct lanes.

Having arrived in the changeover area, punch your Emit card and hand over your map to an official. Then go to the map stands and get the map for the next runner of your team. Check that the map is the correct one: it has got your team number and the number of the next leg. NB! To unfasten the map, pull it upwards from the stand. Any other action may result in the breaking the map bag.

Take the map to the next runner of your team waiting at the changeover fence. There are guide signs on the changeover fence indicating at which section of the fence the changeover has to take place, depending on the team’s number. The map has to be given to the next leg runner at the changeover fence at the area indicated on the number bib. If the next runner is not found in a reasonable time, the map should be taken to the help (“Helppi”) point to wait for the next runner.

It is the competitors’ own responsibility to make sure they take the correct map from the stand. It is also the leaving competitors’ own responsibility to check they have received the correct map. The wrong choice will lead to disqualification. If there is no map for your team on the stand the arriving competitor should report this at the help point located at the end of the exchange booth area. The help point officials will guide the outbound competitor to the

point where the new map is given (“reserve map point”) which is about 400 meters away from the changeover fence on the way to the K point.

If you arrive at the changeover fence late, you must contact help point officials (after you have gone through the Emit check-in). The officials will give you the correct map, handed to them by the previous runner.

Only competitors wearing bib numbers are allowed to enter the changeover area. Competitors enter the area through the entrance gate and go through equipment inspection, Emit card registration and Emit reset. The arriving competitors coming from the terrain for a changeover can be seen from the changeover from about 300m away. In the changeover area there are also online terminals that can be used to find out when and where the team member currently in the terrain last visited an online control.

The exchange area has a toilet and a water point. There is also a first-aid point located near the exchange zone checkout port.

A competitor who has come from the terrain for a changeover cannot leave the area without visiting the Emit check-out point, where the card is read for the results system. The changeover times and the positions of the teams are based on the changeover punching. The changeover punching area is under video surveillance.

Please pay attention to other competitors on both sides of the changeover fence! Avoid warming up in places where you might block runners already competing. A separate warm-up area is reserved for competitors waiting for the change to the west of the path leading to the K-point. On the path between the starting area and the K-point It is only permissible to warm up near the starting area.

Closing of the changeovers and the re-start

Venla Relay

The changeover area will be closed at 18:30. Any runners of those teams that have not finished by then will take part in the mass re-start. The mass restart for the runners of legs 2-4 will take place at 18:45 from the map stands. Those runners who have not yet run will be required register their Emit cards into the system no later than 20 minutes before the start. After the reading and re-set of the Emit cards the runners will go to the map stands app. 5 minutes before the start, according to instructions given by the announcer and the officials. Any teams that false start will be disqualified. The finish line for the Venla relay will be closed at 22:30.

Jukola Relay

The changeover area will be closed on Sunday 17^th June at 8:45. Any runners of teams that have not finished by then will take part in two separate re-starts. The re-start for leg 7 will take place at 9:00. This group has to be at the Emit card registration no later than 8:40. After the reading and re-set of the Emit cards the runners of leg 7 will go to the map stands app. 5 minutes before the start, according to the instructions given by the announcer and the officials.

The runners of legs 2-6 have to be at the Emit card registration no later than 9:00. The re-starts for legs 2-6 will take place at 9:20. The runners will be guided to a waiting area. After the first re-start of the leg 7 runners has been completed the runners of legs 2-6 will go to the map stands, according to instructions given by the announcer and the officials. Any teams that false start will be disqualified. The finish line for the Jukola relay will be closed at 15:00 after which will begin the control collection from the forests.

Finish

In both relays all last leg runners will be guided to the leftmost lane, according to signs. The positions of the first 50 teams in the results will be determined, by the finishing judge Matti Kotilainen, on the basis of crossing the finish line. Other teams’ results will be based on the punching immediately after the finish line. Punching time is the time when the Emit-card is removed from the punching unit. The finish punching is controlled by video recording. After finish line punching, Emit cards for those team anchors in prize winning positions are read in the finish area. Other anchors continue along the marked path to the Emit checkpoint for the card number reading.

Wailing Wall

The Wailing Wall, located in the vicinity of the entrance gate and the Emit checkpoint, is open for from Saturday 16^th June at 13:10 until Sunday 17^th June at 16:00. The wailing wall is the place where disqualifications as well as other team related problems are dealt with, a team leader should be present when discussing possible disqualifications. Officials at the Wailing Wall will give instructions about summoning the team leader if needed. To report a rule violation or hand in a protest, teams should contact a member of the jury or the Wailing Wall. Protests and reports must be in writing and the person leaving them must give their name and contact information.

Drop outs and Disqualified Teams

In spite of being dropped out or disqualified, a team may continue the race as if it were a real relay. The result of the team will be shown on the result board as a drop-out or disqualified. The runners go through the changeover in the same way as others. However, if a drop-out / disqualified team is less than 30 minutes behind the leading team at a changeover, the team is delayed at the next changeover so that the time difference to the leading team is at least 30 minutes. The map for the next leg of the above-mentioned team is removed from the map stand and replaced by a yellow form with the team’s number and race number. The arriving competitor must take the form from the map holder and give it to the next leg runner who should then proceed to the help point with the form. There the competitor will be given a map and a permission to start when 30 minutes from the changeover of the leading team has passed.

If possible, a dropped-out competitor must return to the changeover area along the marked route and then go to the Emit card data extraction point. If the competitor is not able to do so, the team leader, or first aid worker, must contact the Wailing Wall, inform the officials about the situation and return the competitor’s map. A team is categorized as a drop-out case, if the competitor informs about dropping out at the Emit data extraction point. In the case of an injury in the terrain, the map is given to the first aid personnel. These teams will also be listed on the notice board at the help point.

Results

During the competition, one can find live results on the electronic results board and on the Lahti-Hollola-Jukola internet site at www.jukola.com/2018. If there is any confusion regarding the results, competitors should contact the Wailing Wall. Information about drop-out cases and disqualifications is also available on the results board and also announced by the speaker if the case concerns one of the leading teams. The official results will be published on the website after the competition.

Refreshment and First Aid Points

There are points for refreshment and first aid in the terrain. They are marked with purple symbols on the map according to the specification for orienteering maps. At the refreshment points you can find water in addition to the official Jukola sport drink, orange flavoured low-calorie, Dexal. At the refreshment areas you will also find litter bins for the mugs, gel packages and other possible litter. Respect nature and put your litter where it belongs! Near to the refreshment area’s you will also find toilets.

In the event of warm weather, and the prospect of spending a long time running on the terrain, it is advisable to also take you own drink belt with you.

Running order

Teams should register their running order using the registration service at registration.jukola.com. The same club-specific login details are used as when entering the competition. The running orders for both relays must be registered by no later than 18:00 on Friday 15th June 2018. The running order can be given as non-public. These running orders will be automatically made public on Friday, 15th June 2018 at 18:00 and can be seen thereafter on the Lahti-Hollola-Jukola website.

If there is an urgent need to change the running order after the above mentioned deadline, the team has to contact the Information centre no later than thirty minutes before the start of the relay in question, with reasons for the change.

The person who has entered a team in the relay is responsible for giving correct information regarding the team members as well as for ensuring that the age limit is being followed properly. Only those born in 2003, or earlier, are eligible to enter the competition.

Team-Specific Material

The team-specific competition material can be collected at the competition Information centre between 10:00 – 22:00 on Friday, 15^th June and between 8:00 – 22:00 on Saturday, 16^th June. Team material will be released upon presentation of the team’s pick-up ticket and confirmation that all payments have been made and the running order has been entered into the registration system. The pick-up ticket for the team material will be delivered to clubs by email at the beginning of June.

The team material includes the teams’ number bib, Emit checklists and any Emit cards rented by the organizers and separately nominated teams. There is also a coupon against which the club can collect a fresh set of competition maps after the relay. (There is only one such coupon per club, usually included in the material of the club’s first Jukola team.) Note that the material does not include safety pins for attaching the number bibs to the runners. Safety pins can be bought at the Info and in the Jukola shop (1 € / 4 pins).

Competition Numbers

The competition numbers (bib numbers) are based on the results of Venla and Jukola relays in 2017. If a club has several teams, the first team of the club will wear the smallest of the club’s bib numbers. The bar code in the number bib must be undamaged when entering the start / changeover area.

The bib number must be wholly visible throughout the leg. Please attach the number bib carefully to the chest with four safety pins.

Those teams that have been selected to wear the GPS tracking devices will wear a number bib vest. These vests will be distributed to the teams, in advance, with other competition material.

GPS Tracking

A GPS tracking system will be used in both relays on all legs. If a team refuses to carry the device, the team will be disqualified. Approximately thirty teams will carry the device in each relay.

The GPS devices will be attached to the vests with the help of the organizers at the GPS point located near to the entrance gate

The GPS device will be given to the runner at the start / changeover area’s entrance gate at a special GPS point. The runner will be guided how to wear the device. The runner must wear both the device and the number bib vest all the time after they have been put on until they are returned to the organizer after the Emit checkup after the leg. The GPS device has to be put on at the latest 15 minutes before the runner starts their leg. During the race, the organizer may change the teams that carry the devices. Those teams selected for GPS tracking continue to use the normal competition number.

Competitors’ Own GPS Devices and Phones

Competitors may only use personal GPS devices that do not have a map display. Devices that transmit live GPS data are strictly forbidden (apart from the organizers’ GPS devices). Pre-recorded GPS data cannot be used in order to improve competitors’ performance in the competition. Recorded route data can be uploaded to the internet or other services only after the re-starts of Jukola relay have taken place.

A competitor may carry their own personal mobile phone in case of emergencies. The phone must be switched off in the changeover area as well as during the competition itself, and it can only be used in emergencies. It is forbidden to photograph the map during the relay.

Coaches and Team Supporter Personnel

Coaches and team support personnel are not allowed to enter the start, changeover and finish areas. Any competitors requiring assistance from coaches or team support personnel can only receive this in the areas provided for the public.

Interviews and Photo Shoot

Interviews with competitors can take place only after the competitor has visited the Emit card data extraction point or later at the Media Centre. There will also be a separate press conference for the leading teams in both relays as soon as possible after the finish. The relevant teams will be informed about the press conference.

Prize Ceremonies

The top 25 teams in the Jukola relay and the top 20 teams in the Venla relay will be awarded with medals and plaques. Honorary awards will also be given to the best teams in both relays. All prize giving takes place on the festival stage.

The Venla relay ceremony will take place, in the Jukola Festival area, on Saturday 16th June 2018, starting at 19:00. The Venla teams to be awarded will be asked to be seated next to the stage, in reserved places, by 18:50.

The Jukola relay ceremony will take place, in the Jukola Festival area, on Sunday 17^thJune 2018, starting at 09:30. The Jukola teams to be awarded will be asked to be seated next to the stage, in reserved places, by 09:20.

The teams to be awarded are not allowed to carry any advertising banners or other advertising materials. The club’s own banners and badges are permitted.

Returning of the Maps

The maps of both relays can be collected from 9:20 on Sunday, June 17th. The team-specific material of each club’s first team includes a coupon against which the club or the team can redeem their maps.

Any teams requiring maps to be sent by post, will need to submit a postal address in advance and pay a 10€ fee. An additional postal fee will be added to the list price for large packages, or overseas mailings.

Changes to competition guidelines

Any changes to the competition guidelines will be published on the competition info board and on Lahti-Hollola Jukola website.

Competition officials

Competition Manager

Jorma Aherto
040 501 2779, jorma.aherto@jukola.com

Secretary General

Tuula Tjäder
040 827 1575, tuula.tjader@jukola.com

Communications Manager

Juha Reinikainen
044 970 0717, juha.reinikainen@jukola.com

Map and Course Manager

Jarmo Pikkarainen
040 829 6993, jarmo.pikkarainen@jukola.com

Course setters

Juhani Jaskari
040 071 3600, juhani.jaskari@jukola.com

Ville Kauppi
040 757 3336, ville.kauppi@jukola.com

Result Service

Thomas Salokangas

0400 834 991, thomas.salokangas@avenla.fi

Technical Advisor

Heikki Peltola
050 511 3957, heikki.peltola@jukola.com

Course Controller

Ari Kattainen (Hyvinkään Rasti)
040 5169 258, ari.kattainen@elisanet.fi

Jury Members

Chairman Eero Haapasalmi (OH)

Pekka Vuorinen (OK Trian)

Vroni König- Salmi (TuS)