Suunnistustehtävä

Suunnistustehtävä refers to a specific type of control or marker encountered during an orienteering competition. In orienteering, participants navigate a course using a map and compass, aiming to find a series of control points. A suunnistustehtävä is one of these control points, typically marked in the terrain by a distinctive orange and white flag, often called a "control flag" or "kontroli" in Finnish.

When an orienteer reaches a control point, they must register their visit. This is usually done electronically using a punch card or a handheld electronic punching device, which records the time and the unique code of the control point. The purpose of the suunnistustehtävä is to ensure that competitors follow the correct route and visit all the designated points in the specified order.

The difficulty and nature of a suunnistustehtävä can vary greatly depending on the course design and the terrain. Some control points might be placed in easily accessible locations, while others may require careful navigation through challenging or less obvious terrain features. The map will indicate the exact location of each suunnistustehtävä with a circle, and often a description of the control point itself is provided on a separate control description sheet or printed on the map. Successfully finding and punching all the suunnistustehtävät is essential for completing the orienteering course.