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1.5.

Types of orienteering competition may be distinguished by:

  • the time of the competition:
    • day (in daylight)
    • night (in the dark)
  • the nature of the competition:
    • individual (the individual performs independently)
    • relay (two or more team members run consecutive individual races)
    • team (two or more individuals collaborate)
  • the way of determining the competition result:
    • single-race competition (the result of one single race is the final result. The competitors may compete in different races: the A-race, the B-race and so on, with the placed competitors of the B-race placed after the placed competitors of the A-race and so on)
    • multi-race competition (the combined results of two or more races, held during one day or several days, form the final result)
    • qualification race competition (the competitors qualify for a final race through one or more qualification races in which they may be allocated to different heats. The results of the qualification races may also determine the starting order in the final. The competition’s result is that of the final only. There may be A- and B-finals and so on, with the placed competitors of the B-final placed after the placed competitors of the A-final and so on. Where there is a single heat and all competitors who are placed in the heat qualify for the final, the qualification race is called a prologue)
    • knock-out sprint (There are one or more heats with an interval start to qualify for the knock-out section. In the knock-out section there are one or more rounds with several parallel heats and mass starts where the leading competitors qualify for the next round. Finally, there is a single mass start race to determine the winner.)
  • the order in which controls are to be visited:
    • in a specific order (the sequence is prescribed)
    • in no specific order (the competitor is free to choose the order)
  • the length (or format) of the race:
    • Long distance
    • Middle distance
    • Sprint
    • other distances
  • the starting method for the race:
    • an interval start (the race is a time trial; the competitor with the fastest time is the winner)
    • a mass start (the competitors start together; the first across the finish line is the winner)
    • a chasing start (the competitors start at intervals depending on results from previous race(s); the first across the finish line is the winner)
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