From the Junior World title to the
Elite World title goes the time of just one year. Andreas Waldmann -
with Kevin Haselsberger and Bernhard Schachinger - made history in
Liberec, last August, holding the first place in the exciting Relay
that ended the World MTB Orienteering Championships 2015. To the
Portuguese Orienteering Blog, the young Austrian athlete remembers
that great moment and much more.
The first question is always the
easiest: Who is Andreas Waldmann?
Andreas Waldmann (A. W.) - I was
born in 1994, in Vienna. I grew up in Vienna, I went to school in
Vienna and, at the moment, I study electrical engineering at the
Technical University of Vienna. Lots of “Viennas” (laughs).
What came first: Orienteering or
bicycle?
A. W. - I always tried lots of
sports and spent many time outdoor. Somewhen, at the age of 10, I had
my first Mountain bike. I liked riding it but I just did it
occasionally. When I was 13, my sports teacher at school took me to a
FootO event. Then I became more and more attracted to Orienteering.
Firstly I was doing the Vienna's school cup, then I joined my
orienteering club, some Austrian Cups in FootO followed and very soon
I did my first MTBO course.
Why MTBO? Can you remember the first
rides and the very first moment when you said to yourself: “ -
That's it, MTBO is my sport!”
A. W. - I really enjoyed MTBO
since the beginning, so I kept going on. I was not very fast at that
time but also not slow, so I joined the Austrian Youth Team and I
started to train on a regular basis. With the time, my training
effort and the number of races increased. It was more a floating
process, actuallty.
What's the best advice you've ever
received? Is there someone that you admire, that you see as your idol
in MTBO?
A. W. - There were so many
advices I've received, from so many different people. And I'm
thankful for every single one of them.
I must confess I was surprised
seeing you taking the JWOC's Long Distance gold last year, and even
more with such a difference for the second placed (almost seven
minutes, as much as I remember). Did you expect it? How did you do
that?
A. W. - I still remember the
exact time difference: 6:47. Actually, I still have no explanation
for that. As 2014 was my last year in Junior class and I had already
won a medal in 2013. my goal was definitely to win a medal again.
Beforehand, in the Sprint and the Middle Distance races, I felt under
pressure. There, I did quite good races and was 6th and 8th. Before
the Long distance I talked a lot with the coaches and they managed
that I was able to see things very relaxed, which was not easy
because I really liked to win a medal. When I started in the Long
distance I was able to just concentrate on the course and didn't
think on results. And, somehow, this resulted in a brilliant race,
free of mistakes!
How was to “jump” to the Elite
this season?
A. W. - When I stepped up to
Elite I already had some experience in the Men Elite class.
Nevertheless I didn't really know what results to expect, so I was
pretty surprised when I got 5th in the first World Cup race 2015, the
Mass Start in Hungary! To keep it simple, the system in Junior and
Elite class is the same: You get a map and you have to ride the
course as fast as possible (that's it, isn't it?). The difference is
that, in Elite class, you have no chance to compensate a mistake. The
time you already lost will prevent you to get a top position - at
least this is the way I see it.
What goals have you designed for
2015? How did you prepare for the big challenges?
A. W. - My goal for 2015 was to
reach one top-10 result in a World Cup race and to qualify for the
Austria Relay's first team. As in previous years, I tried to train
according to my plan and reach the peak of my physical and mental
shape at the World Championships.
You could get a great 12th place in
the Middle Distance of the European Championships. Do you feel happy
with the Portuguese campaign?
A. W. - I think this year's
European Championships were brilliant organised! The terrains were
great and the courses were challenging. It was the first time I've
been in Portugal and I liked the Portuguese landscape a lot! I look
already forward to getting back there!
And then, the World Championships
and that fantastic gold medal in the Relay. I was following the race
thanks to the GPS data and I couldn't believe in my eyes, you firmly
keeping the first place against two “sacred monsters”, Jussi and
Anton. Amazing. I have to say that you, the Austrian MTBO Team,
deserve “The MTB Orienteering Achievement of the Year 2015”. I'm
talking too much, aren't I?
A. W. - For me it's still kind
of a dream that came true. When I started my leg, I knew that we were
in a good position but I didn't really think about the current ranking
and, until I reached the spectators control, I didn't realise that
our team was in the lead! Then I tried to go on like I did on the
previous controls and when I punched the last control and saw my
teammates, Kevin [Haselsberger] and Berni [Bernhard Schachinger],
waiting for me at the finish line... it was just unbelievable!
How important was this medal, in
personal terms but also for the MTB Orienteering in Austria?
A. W. - In the Austrian team we
have a very good team spirit and the gold in the Relay was something
very special for all of us. Personally, I'm very proud on this medal,
naturally.
Taking a look on the Austrian MTBO
team (athletes, coaches, organizers, federation), how do you see the
future?
A. W. - We are all very
motivated and working together really well. This summer the IOF
elected the Austrian application to organize the World Championships
2018. Of course, that challenge is one of our main goals in the
upcoming years for our team.
How do you evaluate the present
moment of MTB orienteering worldwide? Are we following in the right
way?
A. W. - I think MTBO is
developing pretty well. The international competitions' level is very
high and it's even getting higher. Also the live-broadcastings like
we had this year in the World Championships, in Czech Republic, is a
great improvement as well.
Some time ago, we could hear Thierry
Gueorgiou saying that “it's in the Winter that you win the medals
of the Summer”. Do you agree? How are you planning your winter
season?
A. W. - In winter you definitely
have to build a solid basis that you can be fast in summer. Naturally
it is no guarantee that you'll win any medals, but without winter
training you won't have big chances. I will train a lot on the
hometrainer and I will also try to do some alternative trainings like
cross-country skiing. In addition to that I'll do some weight-lifting
and running and maybe I'll go on a trainings camp in the South.
What are your main goals for 2016?
Is Portugal in your plans?
A. W. - As every year, I will
focus on the World Championships. Normally, the Portuguese terrain
fits me, so I look forward to the World Championships 2016. And
hopefully the weather it's getting hot!
What advice do you leave to those
youngsters who are starting now in MTBO?
A. W. - Look at the map, ride
your bike and, most of all, HAVE FUN!!! :)
[Photo: Rainer Burmann /
fotoburmann.at]
Joaquim Margarido
