Variety, challenging terrain and local history will be features of the three-day orienteering event at St Helens this weekend.
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With local events already underway, the statewide season opener continues a 30-year March long weekend tradition in St Helens, dating back to when 2000 competitors from 21 countries contested the third veteran world cup in January 1992.
A worldwide reputation for the terrain was established and continues to provide challenges undiminished by familiarity.
The area provides granite boulder-strewn eucalypt forest, interspersed with complex navigation in ancient tin mining deep erosion gullies, energy-sapping marshes and varieties of dense vegetation and open forest.
A fuel reduction burn and extreme winds in September have wrought changes to one of the original maps on Argonaut Road.
Saturday will feature short courses in terrain including deep gullies requiring quick route choices.
Sunday's longer courses will have added historical interest with the map showing evidence of 19th century water races following contours to deliver water 45 kilometres from St Colomba Falls to alluvial tin mining areas.
Monday will provide another variation of challenges with courses featuring multiple controls and changes of direction.
In September, Orienteering Tasmania will host the nine-day Australian Orienteering Championship carnival of events, rescheduled from 2020, featuring the same maps and challenges, with additional areas continuing to be mapped in the vicinity.