Competitions
The South American Orienteering Championship competitions will take place from November 12 to 15, 2026, in the municipality of Pucón, which will also host the SAOC2026 Event Center.
The following competitions will be held within the framework of SAOC2026:
South American Orienteering Championship (WRE)
South American Junior Orienteering Championship
South American Youth Orienteering Championship
South American Master Orienteering Championship
South American Open Orienteering Championship
Latin Countries Cup
Organizers
IOF Senior Event Adviser and National Controller
Gilson Schropfer
IOF Senior Event Advisor
Carlos Saldías
National Controller
Organization Team
Kai Ostermann
EVENT Director
Erwin Thieme
EVENT MANAGER
Jorge Espinoza
TECHNICAL Director
Carlos Galdames
START AND FINISH Director
Manuel Ostermann
TIME KEEPING DIRECTOR
Nelson Yañez
ASSOCIATED Director
General Map of the Region
The following map shows the general location of Pucón in southern Chile. The nearest regional capital is Temuco.
Places of Competition and Embargoed Areas
The South American Championship will be held in the Chilean city of Pucón and its surrounding areas, south of Temuco, capital of the Araucanía Region. The embargoed areas are shown in the following images marked in orange. In accordance with IOF rules, orienteering events are prohibited from this publication until the event date. Training, surveys, inspections, or other activities that could generate advantages for athletes or team officials who subsequently participate in the competitions are also prohibited.
Both the Long Distance and Middle Distance races will take place on the lower slopes of the Villarrica Volcano, in the northeastern part of Villarrica National Park. The terrain is located between 550 and 1,200 meters above sea level and features native forests and a wide variety of vegetation.
The relief is highly technically difficult, marked by ancient traces of lava flows and eruptions of volcanic material.
There are two mountain rivers in the competition area, which can only be crossed at the points indicated by the organizers.
On the date of the competition, there may be nesting areas for protected species, which may be marked as prohibited areas on the competition maps.
The Sprint competition will take place in Pucón Municipal Park, a very flat area with a mix of meadows, small woods, playgrounds, recreational areas, and park buildings. The organizers reserve the right to also use artificial impassable barriers on the map to introduce difficulties.
The maps will meet the requirements of ISSprOM 2019 (International Specification for Sprint Orienteering Maps) and ISOM 2017/2 (International Specification for Orienteering Maps).
Regulations and Antidoping
The competitions will be conducted in accordance with the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) Orienteering Regulations. This event is part of the IOF Official Orienteering Calendar and, as such, is subject to doping control by the competent authority.
See the IOF Anti-Doping Regulations at https://orienteering.sport/iof/anti-doping/.
Award Ceremony
SAOC2026: Medals will be awarded to the top three places in each category for each race, and diplomas will be awarded to the top six places. Winners will be awarded the South American Orienteering Champion title.
SAJOC2026: Medals will be awarded to the top three places in each category for each race, and diplomas will be awarded to the top six places. Winners will be awarded the South American Junior Orienteering Champion title.
SAYOC2026: Medals will be awarded to the top three places in each category for each race, and diplomas will be awarded to the top six places. Winners will be awarded the South American Junior Orienteering Champion title.
CPL2026: The Latin American Countries Cup will be awarded to the winning country, and trophies will be given to second and third place.
O-SAOC2026 and M-SAOC2026: Medals will be awarded to the top three places in each category for each race.
Time Control System
The SPORTident electronic marking system will be used, supported by grippers at each checkpoint. According to IOF rules, it is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure their checkpoint pass is recorded.
The SI Air system (punching without touching the base) will not be used. All electronic bases will only support the traditional SPORTident system.
Partial results will be posted in the finish area (arena) via multimedia.
Athletes who have their own SIcard must provide the identification code on the registration form. Others can rent a SIcard from the event organizers.
Events Center
Imagen Google Earth (Image Airbus 2025)
The Events Center will be located at the Osvaldo Muñoz Carrillo Municipal Stadium in Pucón, Colo Colo Street 475.
The organization will provide official transportation for athletes. This transportation will cost USD 15, and athletes must indicate whether or not they require transportation at the time of registration.
Bus departure times will be published in the following bulletins. Tickets will be provided to participants who have registered and paid for the service. If available, they can be purchased on-site for an additional fee.
Parking for private vehicles is available at the Long and Medium Distance Arena, but spaces are limited. Tourist buses do not go to the Arena and must be parked at the Cerduo Bridge.
Training Areas
The organizers will prepare a Model Event and provide training maps to each registered competitor. Athletes can participate in training on Thursday, November 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The available training areas will be reported in Bulletin 2.