Editor's review of my book on orenteering

Review by Clive Allen

Confident Orienteering: a Systematic Approach to Minimising Errors;

Book 1: Fundamentals

by Aleksandr Alekseyonok

This is the first of two brand new books about orienteering skills and techniques in non-urban terrain... Readers are assumed to have reached a competition level where they can read o-maps adequately, including some quite complex contour patterns and point detail, and relate them to the terrain. This book is a practical guide that will be of particular value to orienteers from intermediate to elite level who are keen to improve their route choice and execution skills and cut out mistakes, and perhaps most of all to their coaches.

The approach here is clear-cut: “A thorough understanding of why and when errors occur, and their classification, is crucial when planning and executing a route.” A large part of the book is devoted to closely analysing the nature and extent of errors that are made when measuring distance and direction and following a route plan in forest terrain. This, and much more, is done with the help of very many clear figures, good map illustrations and athletes’ stories, covering a huge variety of different situations – one of the big strengths of this book.

The first three chapters cover systematic errors in measuring distance and direction, and random measurement errors of various kinds. The book moves on to position estimation – pinpoint, or in a ‘zone’ – and positioning accuracy in different terrain situations. Then on to route adaptation strategies (‘aiming off’, etc.) based on terrain, skill level etc., and how a Navigation Terrain Model, where all types of navigational lines and positioning points are identified, can help to identify the best route choices with the least chance of missing the control. In the final chapter, the author shows that use of this model leads to navigation by only two methods – orienteering along terrain lines and towards visible features (linear navigation) and bearing-based orienteering outside the lines (in ‘low information’ areas).

Throughout, the analysis and advice given is logical and detailed, as befits a book that aims to help develop the skills that orienteers need, to be able to run precisely and confidently through the terrain. 

I have never before been challenged so fully to examine my own orienteering technique! There is so much here that I have never thought properly about, or been trained in, even though I class myself as an experienced and reasonably competent orienteer. Top competitors used to running hard courses, with long route-choice legs in wild terrain, will find much to consider too. The situations show where one can easily lose vital seconds, or more, through inadequate or sloppy technique. Coaches will for sure learn a lot from the detailed analysis of navigation actions, and will find in the book examples and stories that are just right for the level of their athletes.

To summarise: if you want to seriously analyse your orienteering technique, identify where and why you are making errors and losing time, and learn how best to respond in masses of different terrain situations, this is a book for you! I reckon most readers will end up learning a hell of a lot.

Book 2: “Planning and Executing Routes”, expected to be released in approximately six months’ time, will offer a comprehensive description of all aspects of the navigation process, including route planning, execution, and error minimization along the route.

Clive Allen, October 2023

 

Clive Allen O-summary

Clive Allen started orienteering in 1971 and has competed regularly ever since, for the last 30 years based in Denmark. He usually ends in the top half of results lists, but isn’t the speediest runner through the forest. Now aged 80, he has in recent years had some medal success at national level. He is an elite competitor in TrailO, where he has won 2 European Championship medals, and an active map-maker, including being in the 2006 World Championships mapping team.

Apart from his sporting career, he has worked extensively for the British Federation and the IOF. Most notably as Chair of British Orienteering Federation 1981-84 and 1987-89 and  Chair of International Orienteering Federation (IOF) Development & Promotion Committee 1987-92.

 Older competitors may remember Clive Allen as World Championships arena commentator, first in Sweden in 1989. From 2013 to 2016 he was the IOF live-stream commentator for World Championships. He still does some arena commentary, most recently at the 2023 World TrailO Championships in Czechia. He was editor of the IOF magazine Orienteering World in the periods 1993-98 and 2012-14; he continues to write reports and articles for the IOF website.