Elite Sprint Information

Friday, 13 February — Praia de Mira

The first stage of POM 2026 will be the Elite Sprint, the first Sprint of a Portugal “O” Meeting to count for the World Ranking Event (WRE).

The organisers goal is to bring hundreds of spectators to Praia de Mira to watch the world’s best Elite athletes competing in the WRE Sprint — hence the name Elite Sprint.

All athletes from the remaining classes are invited to watch the Elite Sprint, either in the Arena or along the competition area.

The athletes entered in the Elite classes will start first. Approximately 20 minutes after the last Elite athlete finishes, the prize-giving ceremony for the Elite Sprint will take place.

The remaining classes will compete afterwards, using the same start and the same arena.

Schedule

• Quarantine opening (Elite athletes): to be announced
• Quarantine closing: to be announced
• First Elite start: to be announced
• Last Elite start: to be announced
• Elite prize-giving ceremony: to be announced
• First start for remaining classes: to be announced
• Start window for Open and Beginner classes: to be announced
• Finish closed: to be announced

Quarantine

• Only Elite athletes taking part in the Sprint WRE will have a quarantine, located inside the Municipal Campsite.
• Entry to the quarantine (Coordinates): 40.4452, -8.8022
• In accordance with IOF rules, the use of mobile phones or any electronic devices that allow communication with the outside is strictly forbidden inside the quarantine.
• The organisers will transport bags from the quarantine to the Arena. The organisation cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to personal belongings.
• A covered area and toilets will be available inside the quarantine.
• Athletes are welcome to use the Campsite’s Restaurant and Bar – Tabuinhas in Park Club.

Parking

• During the Elite Sprint, the circulation of vehicles belonging to Portugal “O” Meeting participants is strictly forbidden within the urban area of Praia de Mira.
• All event participants must park their vehicles at the following location: 40.4464, -8.8041
  • Distance from the parking area to the Arena: 1.1 km
  • Distance from the parking area to the Quarantine: 250 metres
• Access to the parking area must be made from the south of Praia de Mira, skirting the Barrinha, following the route shown in the map.

Elite Sprint WRE Arena

• Arena location: to be announced
• At the Arena you will find the event speaker, an arena passage for the Elite 1 classes, the prize-giving ceremony (Elite 1 classes), first aid and toilets.
• The Event Office and Babysitting will operate at the Museu dos Palheiros de Mira (less than 500 metres from the Arena): 40.4516, -8.8017
• There are plenty of services around the Arena, including restaurants, cafés and bakeries/pastry shops.

• Map – Praia de Mira
• Mapmaker- Rafael Miguel (november 2014) Updated in november 2025
• Contours – 2,5m
• Map Scale – 1:4000
• Symbol Set & Specifications – Map drawn according to the International Specification for Sprint Orienteering Maps 2019-2 of the International Orienteering Federation (IOF).
• Terrain – Area characterised by numerous narrow and irregular streets and alleyways. In wet conditions, the ground becomes extremely slippery in several places, especially on wooden surfaces (boardwalks, bridges) and on ceramic pavements, which are very common in the competition area.

Courses

• Course Setters – Daniel Silva e Rafael Miguel

Technical and detailed course information will be published closer to the event.