8th European Rogaining Championships were held 23-24 July 2011 near Rauna in Latvia. The event gathered 282 teams with 603 participants from 17 countries. While the largest representation was from three hard-core European rogaining countries Latvia, Russia and Estonia all represented by over hundred competitors, also represented were Ukraine, Finland, Poland, Lithuania, Spain, France, Czech Republic, Belorus, Sweden, Israel, Germany, Netherlands, UK and South Africa.
The course master, WRC bronze medalist in XO category Valters Kaminskis had put on the terrain 79 controls, creating several different route options as evidenced by eventual route choices of teams. The terrain was a mixture of hilly forest, marshes and pastureland. Passability and visibility of the forest was mostly reduced, requiring some careful navigation, in particular during the night. As a skillful rogainer himself, Valters very accurately predicted the speed of top teams the winners score was 95% of the maximum.
In men's open, Estonian teams collected all medals. The overall winners brothers Silver and Rain Eensaar scored 422 points from the maximum of 446. Their lead over the silver medal winners was an impressive 46 points. With this impressive victory they made a strong claim towards the upcoming World Championships in the Czech Republic and Russia. Their previous achievements have been 4th place at 8WRC2008 in Estonia and silver medals at 6ERC2009 in Finland. Erik Aibast and Andreas Kraas scored 376 points and won silver, leaving Karli Lambot, Rait Pallo and Tõnu Lillelaid bronze medal winners from 9WRC2010 New Zealand and 7ERC2010 Ukraine again on bronze.
Mixed open and women's open categories were dominated by Russian teams. Andrey Shvedov and Natalya Abramova scored 362 points and won the XO category (5th place overall), while the best WO team Marina Galkina and Nina Mikheeva collected 303 points (27th place overall).
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Off Canvas
International Rogaining Federation
Rogaining is the team sport of long distance cross-country navigation. Map reading, teamwork, endurance and strategy are features of the sport.
Rogaining develops your navigational skills, self-reliance, general fitness, and the ability to work in a team.
Rogaining supports and encourages people to develop respect for and enjoyment of rural and forest environments.
International oversight of rogaining
World Rogaining Championships
The World Rogaining Championships (WRC) are the championships of the International Rogaining Federation. As the sport's premier event, the World Rogaining Championships are for the benefit of everyone in the sport: for elite competitors, for organizers, for administrators, and as a meeting focus for rogaining enthusiasts.
Technical
The International Rogaining Federation provides the forum to agree on technical facets of rogaining. We maintain a code and rules of Rogaining that govern the World Rogaining Championships and provide the basis for member country rules.
Member Resources
The International Rogaining Federation provides support for member countries organizing events and other developing countries establishing new rogaining associations.
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