29th Croatia Open 2026 - first information

EVENT: 29th Croatia Open 2026

ORGANIZER: OK "Ris" Delnice

Head of the Organization: Ivica Urbanc

Head of the Course Planning: András Kersity

 

IMPORTANT DATES AND ZERO START TIME

March 15th, 2026 – 1st - entry deadline

June 15th, 2026 – 2nd - entry deadline

July 15th, 2026 – 3rd - entry deadline

In case of a few entries, the organizer can join certain categories.

ENTRIES:

            ....press the icon....

PROGRAMME

July, 31st 2026 –  1st stage (sprint), first start 17:00, map Krk

August, 1st 2026 – 2nd stage (middle distance), first start 15:00, map Bela Vodica (Crni Lug)

August, 2nd 2026  – 3rd stage (middle distance), first start 10:00, map Leska (Crni Lug)

The 28th Croatia Open enters the history books!

 

✅ The 28th Croatia Open is behind us!

We gave it our all – and so did you, dear competitors. Everything went just as planned, and the atmosphere and energy this year were truly amazing. Thank you all!

🏅 Congratulations to the best of the best – wear your medals from Croatia with pride! 

🌍 We were thrilled to welcome athletes from 25 countries across three continents, and we're especially proud to mark a historic moment: the first-ever participation of Chinese orienteers at our event.

📊 Check the results here!

LIVELOX - 1st stage here.

LIVELOX - 2nd stage here.

LIVELOX - 3th stage here.

📅 The 29th Croatia Open will take place from July 31 to August 2, 2026.

🖊️ Save the date – see you next year!

CO2025 RESULTS

Stage 1 - results

Stage 1 - split time

Stage 2 - results

Stage 2 - split time

Stage 3 - results

Stage 3 - split time

CO2025 - start list

Everything is gradually falling into place—maps are at the printer, our batteries are charged, and everything will be just fine.

📋 The start list for the competition is available here.

⏱ Any changes to start times can be arranged on-site.
👶✈️ Assisted starts (via start control) will be possible for participants with justified reasons such as childcare or flight schedules. If this applies to you, please notify the organizers in advance.

ℹ️ Be sure to check out the essential information here.

🧭 And don’t forget to prepare your control descriptions—find them here.

We wish you a safe journey to Croatia and look forward to seeing you soon!
CO Team

Notice for Competitors CO 2025

Today we have prepared the control descriptions.

We kindly ask all competitors to review and prepare them in advance.

·       August, 1^st 2025 – Stage 1 (control descriptions)

·       August, 2^nd 2025 – Stage 2 (control descriptions)

·       August, 3^th 2025 – Stage 3 (control descriptions)

Bib numbers will not be used during the competition. Competitor identification will be done exclusively via the SI chip number.

If you need to change your start time (e.g. due to childcare or another valid reason), there is no need to submit a request in advance. All changes can be managed on-site, at the start control, with the obligation to notify the organizer.

Carefully review the basic information, here.

Croatia Open 2025 - basic information

EVENT: 28th Croatia Open 2025

ORGANIZER: OK "Ris" Delnice

Head of the Organization: Ivica Urbanc

Head of the Course Planning: András Kersity

 

IMPORTANT DATES AND ZERO START TIME

March 15th, 2025 – 1st - entry deadline

June 15th, 2025 – 2nd - entry deadline

July 15th, 2025 – 3rd - entry deadline

 

PROGRAMME

August, 1st 2025    –  1st stage (sprint), first start 17:00, Course planning: Zoltán Rácz

August, 2nd 2024    –  2nd stage (middle distance), first start 15:00, Course planning: András Kersity

August, 3th 2024    –  3rd stage (middle distance), first start 10:00, Course planning: Tihon Salopek

 

LOCATION

1st stage, (sprint), Omišalj, 1:4.000, E2m

Parking is not provided - park in public parking lots in the city

Preliminary course lengths:

2nd stage (middle distance), Bukvac Sungerski, 1:10 000, E2,5m

Preliminary course lengths:

3rd stage (middle distance), Sungerski Lug, 1 : 7.500, E2,5m

Preliminary course lengths:

CATEGORIES

BEGINERS, OPEN L, OPEN S, M12, M10, W12, W10, M16, M12, W16, W12, M14, W14, M16, W16, M18, W18, M20, W20, M21A, W21A, M21B, W21B, M21E, W21E, M35, W35, M40, W40, M45, W45, M50, W50, M55, W55, M60, W60, M65

In case of a few entries, the organizer can join certain categories.

ENTRIES:

            ....press the icon....

CO 2025 FACEBOOK

NOTE:

Each competitor performs at his own risk.

The official photographer will photograph the competition. We will publish the photos, and use them for promotion. If you have a problem with this, let us know.

PAYMENT

Via a bank transfer till Mart, June and July 15th. 

Fees will only be valid when full payment is received.

DATA FOR BANK PAYMENT:

IBAN: HR30 2402 00611 0083 0663 

SWIFT/BIC: ESBCHR22

ACCAUNT HOLEDER:

OK "RIS" Delnice

Stjepana Radića 1

51 300 Delnice

NOTE: 

Make sure to include the name of the runer and the club. When we receive the payment we will send a notification via OO line service.

Dear sports friends,

We note that we as organizers were left without part of the income for the preparation and organization of the competition because some of the competitors have not paid entry fees in the past. They didn’t even let us know they weren’t going to compete which is why we lost funding. Due to such irresponsible individuals, from next year we will have to introduce stricter measures regarding the control of applications and payments. Payments will take a maximum of 10 days after the end of each application deadline, after which the right to a more favorable entry fee will be lost. When paying, you are obliged to state the name and surname of the person for whom the entry fee is paid.

CO team

Welcome to Croatia, welcome to the Green Heart of Croatia!

Gorski kotar – Croatian mountain region

Gorski Kotar (Latin Discrictus montanus) is located in the western part of Croatia and is crossed by the 45th parallel. It is a highland area with an average altitude of 700-900 meters. Only the peaks Risnjak and Bjelolasica are higher than 1,500 meters. Climate specificity is reflected in the characteristics that a part of the area is a special type of transitional climate of coastal and continental climate. All forms of mountain tourism and active vacations give Gorski kotar magical attraction, primarily because of preserved nature and welcoming people.

Meet Gorski Kotar - five attractive locations that you have to experience!

The magic of „Zeleni vir“ and „Vražji prolaz“

Zeleni vir was declared a nature reserve in 1962. It is first mentioned in 1884 as a resort for the braver hikers. Zeleni vir is a powerful spring at the bottom of a shallow but large cave. Over the caves, entrance hangs a 70-meter cliff from which lively waterfall gushes creating a sparkling water curtain. Zeleni vir is named after the green water in the pond in the cave. Another attraction is the 800-meter-long Vražji prolaz canyon. Many consider it one of the most beautiful canyon scenery in the country.

National park Risnjak

Monumentality of Risnjak and source of the river Kupa

National park Risnjak is a striking example of the altitudinal dissolution of the Dinaric mountain system in relief, geological, hydrological, and climatic aspects, vegetation, and wildlife. The basis of the park is Risnjak massif with a peak at 1528 meters. In 1997 the area of ​​the park was extended to the area of ​​the source of the river Kupa. Source of Kupa, one of the many still unsolved karst mysteries, it is one of the strongest, widest and deepest Croatian sources. At 313 m above the sea level, water mass formed a small lake turquoise green-blue color, with a length of 200 meters and a width of about 30 meters. Accessing this site is possible following an attractive path from the village Razloge or Kupari from where the path is a little bit longer, and rises upstream, following the flow of the river Kupa. National park Risnjak is one of the less-visited national parks in the country, not because it is less valuable, but because to enjoy its beauty one should have a special feeling for the charms of natural phenomena.

River Kupa

The kingdom of „Bijele“ and „Samarske Stones “ 

The area of Bijele and Samarske Stones is one of the most beautiful hiking destinations in Croatia. It is a part of the strict nature reserve, which means that no human interventions are allowed within its borders. The area is wild, fascinating, and demanding for a visit, and only half an hour from the place where you can leave your car! Do not forget that the Samarske and Bijele stones were discovered by accident when a local forester traced the bear. And be careful - rock climbing is a lot of fun, but also dangerous!

ACCOMODATION

For accommodation you may contact Tourism Board Offices:

https://gorskikotar.hr/en/?

and

CAMP LOKVE

CAMP PARK CRNI LUG

CAMP ROBIZONSKI TURIZAM LOKVE

BOOKING

Orienteering club "RIS" Delnice

 The orienteering club "RIS" Delnice was established on February 12th, 2000. It promotes orienteering in Delnice, Gorski Kotar, and Primorsko–Goranska County in order to someday achieve the status of an Olympic sport. 

It assists Club members in quality development in order to worthily represent the club on sports and a personal level. In the area of Gorski kotar, club members organized the 1998 European Military and 1999 World Military Orienteering Championship, and 2010 World Radio Goniometry Championship.

Taking into account the regional competition Alpe Adria Cup in 2004 it may be concluded that the specific areas covered by green karst and proximity to coastal resorts are a winning combination that every year attracts a growing number of fans of this sport.

Orienteering – the modern form of active vacation

The form of human movement in nature is the basis for the development of most outdoor sports activities. Orienteering sport is a very interesting individual sport that allows all participants not only to improve their physical performance but also to improve their map reading and compass skills. It is not a sport for passive bystanders because its attractiveness and acceptability are achieved through involvement. Orienteering mostly takes place in vast untouched wooded areas, and, over recent years, urban areas where sprint races are organized, which besides their attractiveness also have a promotional character.

Croatia Open is a international orienteering competition, one of its kind and most meaningful orienteering event with traditional characters in Croatia. 

Aspiration and devotion to organizing this competition at the highest possible level have so far attracted thousands of competitors from more than 40 countries to Gorski kotar and Croatia. All of the organizer efforts have been recognized by IOF leaders (International Orienteering Federation) who have appointed competition the WRE (World ranking Event) status several times so far. 

The competition has profiled itself as one of the most important in the region, and Gorski Kotar was promoted to a European orienteering summer destination.