I believe I'm right saying that,
what moves a course planner is, in compliance with orienteering's
spirit and rules, to meet the interests and joy of the athletes.
Above all, is to realize that his/her work had expression in the
satisfaction of each one of those who had the chance to try and compete. In
this sense, what special meaning does the victory at the “Course of the Year 2013” have for you?
Tiago Romão (T. R.) - Even considering that results, in this sort of contests, are always relative, they are still very important to orienteering by the recognition and publicity to Portugal, showing the high quality and the great interest of our courses. On a personal level, it means the recognition of the hard work and commitment that I put in everything I do in orienteering, a recognition that ultimately comes from the outside.
How do you evaluate the work done?
Tiago Romão (T. R.) - Even considering that results, in this sort of contests, are always relative, they are still very important to orienteering by the recognition and publicity to Portugal, showing the high quality and the great interest of our courses. On a personal level, it means the recognition of the hard work and commitment that I put in everything I do in orienteering, a recognition that ultimately comes from the outside.
Can you remember the early times
when you faced the challenge of being the course setter of the Portugal O' Meeting's second stage, precisely that of Monsanto, the
first trips to the terrain, to contact with cartography, the first
drafts...? What certitudes and doubts were present in your mind from
the beginning?
T. R. - From the first
moment , the biggest challenge was making possible an orienteering
stage with the dimension of the Portugal O' Meeting in an almost
inaccessible village. The whole plan began by trying to make the
course as accessible as possible for everyone. So, only the Elite
class could go to the castle, for example, contrary to my initial
purpose. Thus, I just created a mental idea of how to set the course
taking full advantage of natural conditions. After all, the work
involves, firstly, choosing and planning the most interesting options
without being concerned about the precise placement of the control, in a second
phase finding the best placement for each controls and
then leaving for the end the adjustment and testing of the
courses. Anyway, my idea was always to make not only a competitive
and technical course but also to explore its “touristic potential”,
so that the athletes could enjoy the wonderful village of Monsanto.
How do you evaluate the work done?
T. R. - In general I
think that the main objective was achieved , particularly given the
tight timings in terms of the Portugal O 'Meeting program. The few
hours available of sunlight were a huge constraint, since it would be
dangerous to take a night course on that place. I must admit that, if
I set another course today , I'd do everything the same way as the
number of athletes do not leave much freedom of action to change
substantially whatever.
Do you prefer to set Sprint
courses or do you have other predilections?
T. R. - I really like
Sprint and hence to trace these races is always a pleasure. On the
other hand I also like setting Middle distance courses a lot. Anyway,
I feel always a great pleasure that people enjoy what I do and how to
contribute positively to the quality of our events.
When you look back and take an
overview of the many races you did throughout the world, can you enumerate the three courses that you enjoyed the most until now?
T. R. - Yes, the JWOC
Sprint 2009, the Tiomila 2009 and the Long Distance course of the 2nd
Arraiolos International Meeting, in 2011.
It is common sense to say that,
with a team like Barcelona, for example, any Football coach is able
to win the Champions League. In a place like Monsanto, would any course
setter have a great chance to be equally successful or, indeed, would the things not work exactly like that, as the level of demand in
this type of terrain is uncommon?
T. R. - The truth is
that it is impossible to make omelets without eggs. In the case of
Monsanto there were many logistical constraints and everything had to be taken into account immediately. It was very important to
have a knowledge of the terrain and to avoid places that could be dangerous, either with rain or fog, as well as parts of
difficult progression, specially in this area between the Castle and
the urban quarter. After the urban area, given the quality and
natural scenery, the course should have the maximum number of options
that put the athletes into real challenges. I also tried to put some controls in places of natural beauty like the inside of a
passage between two huge boulders, the castle's geodesic landmark or
next to Lucano's tower, with its astonishing view.
Within the past three years,
Portugal has had a significative number of courses distinguished
among the 10 best in the world in this contest promoted by World of
O. Can we say that we have a Portuguese school of map makers and
course setters globally recognized or is it just a circumstantial
matter, linked to the strong presence of foreign athletes in our
winter international competitions?
T. R. - I think that
our organizations are sometimes opposite, some very good and some very
bad, regardless of the time of year. However, I think there are clubs
organizing well whatever event and these clubs should be rewarded
because they really care about the athletes and not just to meet
schedule. On the other hand I do not consider that there is a
Portuguese school of map makers or course setters, but a handful of
individuals who are really interested in the sport and that acquired
an important know how. Thus, organizations are the image of the
quality of these people's work, which makes the organizational
quality substantially lower when they are not involved.
One question that everyone would
like to have answered - and you, probably, are no exception - has to do
with the next European Championships, in Palmela. Personally, what do you expect from each of the courses in relation to the terrains, maps and
courses?
T. R. - I expect very
fast races in the forest and no big technical detail. As for the
Sprint, I expect a very interesting course since the terrains are of
great quality. Looking at technical issues, we know that some people
with more knowledge and experience wish to compete or join the staff
of the Portuguese national team, but still there are more people with
knowledge that will certainly do a good job and a Senior Event
Adviser that will ensure the IOF compliance with the highest standards.
Do you consider there is a
“before” and an “after” Monsanto with this result?
T. R. - I do not
consider that there may be such milestone because it was just a
course that I liked a lot to draw and the result did not influence
any perception that I have on it. At this moment I will always help
in setting courses organized by my club, although my availability is
somewhat reduced at the moment because of my academic activity.
Do you see your future in orienteering somehow connected to the mapping and course planning, or is it more in the
technical and training area that you see yourself when leaving the
Elite competition?
T. R. - First of all,
I still see myself in competition for a long time, once my evolution
process as an elite athlete still has a long way to go. But in the
future I am more willing to, perhaps, create a club in a place
where orienteering doesn't exist. I think the only way in which our sport can grow in Portugal depends on the existence of a
larger number of clubs, and so I intend to give back to orienteering what it has given to me all these years.
Joaquim Margarido