PFO Club ChampsFlasby FellSat 18 November, 2023

Local level event

Results

• • 2023 Club Champs results

Report

Rain and Amazonian flood water on the access track did not stop play, so the race was run from the summit of Sharp Haw above Skipton, usually with fine views of Pendle and the Dales. Later, at the Punch Bowl (Earby), the after-party got got underway, meals eaten, drinks drunk, winners announced and prizes given. All's well that ends well.

Congratulations to Chris Goddard for winning the PFO Club Champs for the third time in 7 years!
Chris bagged all 21 controls in just under the 60 mins limit (the only competitor to do so), gaining 219 points after age class bonuses and previous winner deductions. Chris's trophy is the coveted wood carving of Pendle Hill.

Pauline May, our winning lady, ran a close run thing, amassing 204 points including age class bonuses and no deductions. Pauline received the Pendle Witch trophy regaled with her Gripple key lanyard!

Una May, our winning Junior with 162 points, proudly received the keepsake 'Stone of Destiny'.

Karen Windle was our winning 'newbie' (less than 2 years orienteering experience) with 160 points. A stirling effort in unfamiliar and tough-under-foot terrain. A witch painting your prize.

Planner's notes:

A score event requires different thinking by planners and by competitors alike.
With 10 points for all controls visited, the objective is to visit the maximum number before penalties kick in.
Controls are not necessarily difficult to find, but the decision of which sequence to run is the key, having regard to terrain, climb and speed, all the while leaving your options open right to the last. Flasby provided all of these things. By all accounts most enjoyed the terrain and navigational challenge.

Having run your best race, the bonus and penalty gods determine your final fate and the club pecking order.

I look forward to seeing your individual routes.

George Crawford-Smith - club champ 2022, therefore planner 2023. Chris over to you (again!) for planning 2024.

RouteGadget

Is a web browser app for sharing and comparing orienteering routes. You can draw your own route or upload a GPS track from your watch. It also allows you to watch an animated replay with a simulated mass start.

Go to the Pendle Forest Routegadget now

Last updated: Wed 22 November, 2023

Pre Event Info

Club Championships (Closed event)

Location Info

Near: Skipton
Lat,Lng: 53.98133,-2.03899
OS Grid Ref: SD975539
Postcode: BD23 3LA

Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap - Streetmap (OS 50k)
OpenStreetMap - BingMap (OS 50k)

Directions / Parking

Flasby Fell access track, off Bog Lane. The road gate is at SD975539 or What3Words ///remit.presumes.tuck (A postcode won't get you near the right spot.)

There will be marshals at the first and 3rd gates between 10:00 and 10:30AM. If you arrive outside this window you will have to open and close the gates yourself.
The access track is rough hardcore, but not muddy. Be aware of a 4 inch step-rise through 2 of the gates, drive slowly and preferaby don't bring a low slung sports car!
Follow track slowly into the 3rd field. Park on the left where the track curves and a stream goes under the track - two wheels off the track and two wheels on. Leave space for Range Rover size vehicles to pass on your right along the track.

There is a parking charge of £2.00 per vehicle which will help defray our access charge. Cash only.

When leaving drive forward to the enclosure (about 150m) and make a turn at the widest point, before returning to the main road.
If you turn left on to Bog Lane you will have to make a tricky right turn across both lanes of traffic on to the Grassington Road.
If you turn right, follow the road to Stirton, turn right at the cross roads, then left in Thorlby to join the A65, just half a mile short of the main roundabout where the A65 meets the A59.

Map / Terrain

You will find out when you get there! Basically open fell with many landform and rock features.
There are some patches of, now dead, bracken (marked on the map with the green pinstripe symbol), which will likely slow your progress.
Only marked crossing points to be used. Shut and fasten all closed gates after you have passed through. There are only 3 gates that have been left wide open for stock movement - these may be left as you found them.

Registration and Start times

Mass start 11:00AM. Clear and check will be near to the Start.

To get to the Start for 11:00AM there is a walk that will take 15 to 20 minutes. We will leave the parking area en masse at 10:40. Gather at the PFO flag and/or tent by the stream / track crossing.

You will have 60 minutes to collect as many of the controls as possible. Late return will incur penalty points.

Course Information

Anyone could win!

The Start is 15 to 20 minutes walk from the parking area. Mass start at 11:00AM.
We will move off from Assembly as a group at 10:40AM. Meet at the PFO flag or tent.

Start & Finish procedure:
When we are at the Start point, you will queue up in line and start at approximately 2 second intervals dibbing the Start box (not contactless). You will pick up your map immediately after dibbing the Start. 21 controls score. 60 minutes.

The Finish is also a dibbing box, not contactless. It is much nearer the car park than the Start.

All controls on the course are contactless.

Simple Score Event Rules:

60 minute score. Each control worth 10 points. , minus deductions, plus bonuses. Highest net score wins.

We will be using the handicap system devised by Chris Goddard PFO for the 2022 Club Champs at Hurstwood.

Instead of additional points being awarded depending upon your age and experience your score will be multiplied by a variable % value (see table below). This system should mean that younger, fitter runners will have to work extra hard to beat the older club members.

The Chris Goddard handicap system is detailed below:

Controls all have a value of 10 points. Visit as many controls as possible in 60 minutes then, for late return, deduct penalties at 1 point per 20 seconds late (= 3pts per minute), then add Bonus % points (see table below).

Highest net score will be the 2023 PFO Club Champion. The Champion could be male or female. The Champ will be awarded the Pendle Hill Trophy. There is also a Junior Trophy for the highest net score junior.
In addition there will be spot prizes, for who knows what, that may be won by worthy contenders.

Bonus percentage points by gender and age class will be added to the net score (controls, minus late penalties):

Extra rules:

Novice bonus: an additional 10%. Anyone who has orienteered for less than 2 full years i.e. started orienteering after November 2021. If you are elegible, please declare this to the result officials:

Previous Club Champions will have an additional penalty applied of -5%. See list below.

We know who you are - see list below of the most recent 12 club champions.

Entry Details

This is a closed event, for PFO members (partners and children) only.

FOC to PFO club members.

To enter, contact Andy Ellis () with your name and dibber number, and age class before Friday 17th November.

Dog restrictions

Absolutely no dogs. This is sheep country.

Facilities

None. Please go before you arrive!

The after party: Prize giving, meals, drinks and toilets will be at the Punch Bowl pub in Earby, which is on your way home! Also, as used for the Earby Street-O in September. (Address: Skipton Rd, Earby, BB18 6JJ or /// ritual.perfumed.desk). We will have the use of the dining area for an hour or so. Provisional prize giving at 1:30PM, or sooner if we can manage it.

For more information about the menu see Facebook or search for "Punch Bowl Earby".

Miscellaneous

BOF event number: 83998

Contacts / Officials

Planner/Organiser - George Crawford-Smith - . 07813 320936 or 01282 812075