A.A. Ermachenkov
Ph.D. V.A. Byrkin
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Moscow

Keywords: orienteering, training, economy, cartography

Introduction. Orienteering map is the main attribute of orienteering. It is a specially prepared topographic map with extra details in large-scale of competition area, used by competitors to navigate through the competition area and pass the courses. Technological aspects of the preparation of orienteering maps associated with the methodology of compiling, organizing field, cameral and publishing works are explained in detail [1,3]. However, fundamental research and development in all aspects of the process maps preparation are lacking as judged by [4]. Analysis of published studies showed that the technical and regulatory and economic aspects remain virtually unexplored. Only a few studies [3,6,9] indirectly affect the economic issues of sports cartography.

In this paper, for the first time the technique of planning and organizing the process of orienteering maps preparation in a metropolis is considered, the definition of a minimum annual area compilation of orienteering maps depending on the number of realized competitions and the description of the economic aspects of the process based on the analysis of competitions of the past 10 years on example of the Moscow region are shown.

Methods and organization of study

A statistical analysis of the results of the competition is a theoretical footing of the methodology. The basis for this was more than 1,200 competitive starts, from training to championships of Russia. A set of qualitative and quantitative methods to collect empirical data was used at the study. At the initial stage of the study the data on the use of orienteering maps in the megalopolis of Moscow over the past decade were collected. Then we analyzed received material and set up a correspondence between the current development program of sports cartography in the Moscow district and the real needs of calendar events. At the final stage we developed the action-oriented recommendations on the area of the annual map-making for orienteering, estimated the necessary funding for the program of orienteering map-making in a megalopolis and defined mechanisms for its implementation.

Results and discussion

From the point of view of the training process implementation, orienteering should be attributed to cyclic sports. Orienteering features the presence of phase orientation in the competitive process that determines the specificity of training, which is an indispensable feature of work with a map in training [7]. It calls for participation in competitive events at least 1-2 times a week in the pre-season [7] and 3-4 times a week in regular season.

The themes of organization of orienteering competitions was considered from a global point of view in [6,8,9], but a strict system of formation of district, regional and Russian cartographic projects was not offered. According to [3,5,8,9] and the rules of orienteering, we can conclude that a sports map is a product of highly competent experts, and like any of such products it requires considerable investments.

To date there are about 170 starts per year in the Moscow calendar of competitions and open competitive training sessions (OCTS). Based on the competitive experience of the last decade in Moscow, we can confidently say that it is inexpedient in terms of sports justice to carry out more than 4 competitions per year having a single map. Taking into account some specifics of competitions at various levels, the disclosure of which is beyond the scope of this study, we can conclude that 40-45 sports maps per year are required for the Moscow calendar.

A lifetime of sports maps in a megalopolis is about 5 years [3]. Consequently, 8-9 areas need to be mapped per year for the Moscow orienteering competition calendar. In practice, this number is somewhat overrated for various reasons [8] and it is enough to map 5-6 areas per year.

On the basis of common understanding of orienteering distances it is easy to calculate that about 12 km² of sports maps should be prepared per year (about 8 km² need to be corrected, based on existing maps and 4 km² of new maps are required).

It is extremely expensive to prepare 12 km² of sports maps per year. Experience has shown [6] that the preparation of approximately 4 km² of maps per year in Moscow is funded from the budgets of various commercial projects on the basis of orienteering - government agencies championships, major festivals with the involvement of sponsors, etc. And it is the responsibility of the Orienteering Federation and competition organizers to provide the remaining 8 km². About 15-20 years ago the project “Moskovskiy meridian" (Moscow Meridian) was started to develop [9]. In the context of the training cycle competitions N.A. Sytov organized the project "Narodnaya karta". Creation of maps for this project was funded by 20% of the participation fees from the project “Moskovskiy meridian" (Moscow Meridian). Over 10 years of functioning of the "Narodnaya karta" over 50 km2 of sports maps have been prepared in the Moscow megalopolis, which, coupled with the sponsor maps fully satisfied the Moscow orienteering needs. After closing the project "Narodnaya karta", the Moscow Orienteering Federation (MOF) decided to create a sports maps fund similar to "Narodnaya karta" at its base. Since 2012 a certain amount of participant entry fees from all competitions held under the aegis of MOF was transferred to the fund. In European developed countries the services for creating high-end sports maps cost approximately 800-1000 euro per km² (depending on the included / excluded transport and food charges) plus accommodation. From the current practice it can be assumed that the cost of corrections is twice lower - 400-500 euros per km². Experience shows that 600-800 euro is enough to attract highly competent professionals in Russia today.

As shown above it is necessary to produce a cartographic survey of the area of about 3km², as well as to modify and edit existing sports maps of the area of about 5km². In value terms, taking into account the above considerations it must cost about 415,000 rubles. In view of possible force majeure this amount can go up to 440,000 rubles.

The MOF calendar 2015 [8] has 165 competitions. However, it is not possible to allocate money to the cartographical fund of the Federation from all of them for several reasons. Some contests take place with the use of the maps prepared within third-party commercial projects so the organizers need to pay for using these maps. In this situation, charging additional fees is unreasonable in relation to the next significant increase in entry fees and, as a consequence, a decrease in the number of participants, which is contrary to the objectives of the MOF regarding orienteering development in the Moscow megalopolis and facilitation of mass competitions. Hence, the cartographical fund gets allocations from about 100 competitions. These are primarily all official competitions (championships), large mass events and a part of OCTS. As for winter championships and mass competitions the average number of participants is about 400, for summer championships - about 600 and for part of OCTS - about 150. Taking into account their quantitative relationship we can find that the average number of participants is about 200 people per competition. That is, there are 20,000 man-competitions with allocations to the cartographical fund of the Federation. Thus, the cartographic fee should be 22.5 rubles per person. Unfortunately, experience shows that the collectability of such fees due to the lack of proved mechanism leaves much to be desired. Hence, the amount of about 30 rubles is an acceptable cartographic fee needed for the fund.

Conclusion

In this study we determined the total area of annual orienteering mapping and described the economic aspects of the process. This analysis is based on statistical analysis and data collection on the megalopolis orienteering competitions in the last 10 years.

It has been established that it is necessary to produce a cartographic survey of the area of about 3km², as well as to modify and edit existing sports maps of the area of about 5km². In value terms, taking into account the above considerations it must cost about 415,000 rubles.

In view of the proposed funding model it has been estimated that the amount of about 30 rubles is an acceptable cartographic fee from competitions of the official calendar of MOF events needed for the fund.

References

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Corresponding author: aaermachenkov@gmail.com