IOF’s online seminar introduces innovative rankings and sprint course technology for 2026
The International Orienteering Federation’s (IOF) Foot Orienteering Commission hosted its annual seminar for event advisers online in November 2025, drawing around 70 participants from across five continents. This annual event is a vital forum designed to support event advisers in their roles at IOF-sanctioned competitions, offering updates, shared experiences, and guidance on best practices throughout the year.
The seminar was structured to accommodate the diverse global time zones of its international audience, with sessions held on the morning of Thursday, 15th November, and the afternoon of Sunday, 16th November. This scheduling also allowed European participants to take part in physical orienteering exercises in the intervening weekend, balancing practical experience with the digital seminar content.
Participants had access to a wide range of resources, with recordings of the presentations made available on the IOF’s High Level Event YouTube channel, while slides and supporting documents were hosted on the IOF website. This accessibility highlights the IOF’s commitment to providing ongoing educational material for organisers and advisors involved in orienteering events globally.
A significant portion of the seminar involved learning from recent major events. Áron Less, IOF’s World Orienteering Championships (WOC) Project Manager, facilitated presentations from Senior Event Advisers responsible for the European Youth Orienteering Championships (EYOC), Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC), and recent World Cup rounds. These presentations focused on issues encountered during the 2025 events and the lessons learned, culminating with insights from the WOC itself.
David Roach, responsible for World Ranking Events within the Foot Orienteering Commission, introduced a checklist for event advisers to use in their daily oversight of World Ranking Events. This was followed by IOF CEO Henrik Eliasson unveiling the new Gold World Ranking Event concept, set to launch at the Portugal O-Meeting in February 2026. This new concept promises to add prestige and competitive intensity to the World Ranking Events calendar, sparking considerable interest among participants.
The seminar also catered to specialists in sprint orienteering. Fabien Pasquasy, the European Orienteering Championships (EOC) course setter, shared behind-the-scenes details of the highly praised sprint courses used in Lier, Belgium. His presentation highlighted innovative use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to manage course features such as taping, guards, and gates, a technique eagerly received by attendees.
Further enriching the sprint focus, Daniel Wolf from the Czech Republic and a member of IOF’s Sprint Specialist Team, led a session evaluating the complexity of sprint course legs. In contrast, IOF Secretary General Sondre Sandre Gullord addressed broader policy matters, providing a status update on the implementation of IOF’s Heat Policy, which reflects the federation’s efforts to adapt to evolving environmental and competitive conditions.
The final presentation was delivered by Dr. David Rosen, Chair of the IOF Rules Commission. He discussed the updates to orienteering rules for 2026 and guided participants on navigating the extensive resources available on the IOF’s website for rules and regulations, a resource increasingly essential for maintaining consistency and fairness across international events.
Closing the seminar, Foot Orienteering Commission Chair Helge Lang Pedersen invited participants to the forthcoming IOF High Level Event Seminar in Vilnius, Lithuania, scheduled for 7th and 8th February 2026. This event will continue the tradition of bringing together key figures in the orienteering community to exchange knowledge and advance the organisation of top-tier events.
This annual seminar continues to demonstrate the IOF’s dedication to enhancing the quality and professionalism of orienteering events worldwide. With its inclusive approach, comprehensive content, and the introduction of innovative event formats, the IOF reinforces its role as the global governing body invested in the sport’s ongoing development and the success of its diverse community of organisers and athletes