WOC 2017: Norway and Sweden win relay

Norway defended their Relay World Champion title, and Sweden pulled off an impressive performance. Both races were dramatic, with mistakes throughout, however both Norway and Sweden were always in control, retaining the lead throughout the race.

Sweden’s team of Emma Johansson, Helena Jansson and Tove Alexandersson enjoyed a victory by 2.41 over last year’s champions Russia, holding the lead throughout.

There were no dramatic early mistakes by runners from the best teams, as happened in the men’s race, but few athletes completed the course without some distinct time loss at some point on their course. Finland (Venla Harju) kept in touch with Sweden on the first leg and were 45 seconds down at the changeover, but Jansson stretched the lead by a minute on the second leg.

However as Alexandersson completed her leg comfortably but not entirely without error – she missed her way on the spectator run-through and lost a minute between controls 9 and 13 – the Russian Natalia Gemperle was running well, and took advantage of a couple of mistakes in the middle of the course by the Finn Merja Rantanen to pull up into second place, which she held to the end. Rantanen was not pressed in bringing Finland into bronze medal position.

There was a sprint finish for fourth place between Latvia and Switzerland, just won by Sabine Hauswirth for Switzerland. The Latvian team was fourth after leg 1 (Inge Dambe) and was never below fifth – a very good team performance. Norway took the final podium place.

The Norwegian team of Eskil Kinnerberg, Olav Lundanes and Magne Dæhli ran an impressively controlled race throughout to take what in the end was a clear victory, with France getting the silver medals and Sweden the bronze.

There was drama from the start as Fabian Hertner, Switzerland’s first leg runner, could be seen on GPS making a huge mistake at control 1, losing more than 4 minutes. Great Britain, New Zealand and Hungary also faltered badly there. Sweden and the Czech Republic set the pace, but Frederic Tranchand for France was going well too. It was he who came to the changeover first, along with Lithuania and Norway, with Czech Republic and Denmark not far behind.

The decisive leg was the second one, where Olav Lundanes for Norway had a brilliant race to come back with a lead of 1.21 over France and Lithuania, with Sweden and Ukraine a little over 2 minutes down. This lead was too much for Thierry Gueorgiou to make up on last leg as Magne Dæhli continued Norway’s near-faultless progress; Gueorgiou cut the gap to 45 seconds at one point, but he was never close enough to see the leading Norwegian.

“I was really nervous,” said Dæhli, “I knew Thierry is in really good shape. Yesterday I struggled at the beginning, and today I was very focused on the way to the first control. It felt really good except for the first control after the arena passage, where I made a small mistake.”

“I was just focusing on my orienteering,” said Gueorgiou, “and I didn’t see Magne on the course. The second place feels like a gold for us. We are really satisfied.”

Estonia ran a good race throughout to finish fourth, to the great pleasure of the home crowd, and the podium places were completed by Switzerland, picking up well after Hertner’s early mistake, and Russia. The Lithuanian team dropped back on the final leg after being surprisingly close to the lead up to the second changeover.

For the full official results, go the WOC webpage: www.woc2017.ee.

[Press Release from the International Orientering Federation 2017-07-07; photo: Matias Salonen, IOF Digital Team]

WOC 2017: Master class from Thierry Gueorgiou

In his final individual WOC competition before retiring, Frenchman Thierry Gueorgiou ran a near-perfect race to take his 8th Middle Distance title at Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships.

This was a fantastic performance by Gueorgiou, once known as the ‘King of Middle Distance’ because of his string of victories in this format, the last being in 2011. Today’s is his 14th WOC gold; he also won the Long Distance three years in succession, 2013-5. Gueorgiou had some close challengers today but none were able to keep to his technical accuracy which he maintained throughout; he also showed that he has not lost a lot in speed over the years.

Gueorgiou described the day as being very tough emotionally. He has prepared only for this race this year, not competing in any other international race. “This is a dream coming true,” he said at the end, “I wanted to finish on top.”

Silver medal went to Fabian Hertner, Switzerland, who was close to Gueorgiou’s time until he made an error on the short leg to control 17. Oleksandr Kratov, Ukraine ran a very consistent race, just a shade off the pace but good enough for the bronze medal today. Defending champion Matthias Kyburz made mistakes on the course and ended 1.54 down. Norway had all their athletes in the top ten in the results, but out of the podium placings.

Johan Runesson, Sweden had a great run too but had to settle for fourth place, with Sprint champion Daniel Hubmann in fifth. The forest was very detailed and with quite low visibility in places, so mistakes were common.

“It is difficult to compare the medals and I have won many medals in Middle, it is my favourite distance,” said Gueorgiou. “This medal is very special and of course when you become a world champion for the first time it is a life changer. And for me also the Relay medal with my team-mates was special. My plan was to stay focused for the whole race, but also to smile and enjoy the moment.” And that he most certainly did, along with his many friends and admirers throughout the world of orienteering.

WOC 2017 website: www.woc2017.ee.

[Press release from the International Orienteering Federation 2017-07-06. Photo: Matias Salonen, IOF Digital Team]

WOC 2017: Outsanting win by Tove Alexandersson

Tove Alexandersson, Sweden took her second gold medal in three days with an outstanding run in the Middle distance at the Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships. Her winning lead was 2.10.

The very strong Swedish athlete showed from the start that she meant business today, setting new fastest times at every control and making only small hesitations. She continued in the same vein throughout, gradually building up an unassailable lead and taking sound routes all the way, to make a successful defence of her title won on home ground last year.

Silver medallist today was the very experienced Norwegian Marianne Andersen, one of only two of the current leading athletes to run in Estonia in the European Championships 11 years ago. She too ran a very good technical race, but could not match Alexandersson’s speed through the forest. “I made only some small errors, never more than 30 seconds,” she said. “My tactic was to stop, and continue very carefully, when unsure. This silver is like a gold for me!”

There was a close fight for the bronze medal, which was won by Finland’s Venla Harju who just missed a medal in the Sprint, after a strong challenge from Svetlana Mironova, Russia. Emily Kemp, Canada excelled to get a top six placing for the second year running.

Alexandersson said she was really satisfied with her race, and took her time on the few occasions she lost concentration slightly and was uncertain of her position. “I was running the shortest way and trying to be focused all the way reading the details. It is almost a clean race. I had good focus all the way and didn´t make any mistakes at the controls.”

Tomorrow the final races of the Championships take place, the relays.

WOC 2017 website: www.woc2017.ee.

[Press release from the International Orienteering Federation 2017-07-06. Photo: Matias Salonen, IOF Digital Team]

WOC 2017: Alexandersson and Lundanes retain Long distance golds

Both Tove Alexandersson, Sweden, and Olav Lundanes, Norway won the Long distance at Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships for the second year in a row.

Tove Alexandersson, Sweden, ran a near-perfect race in the difficult Estonian terrain of the Long distance today, with only Sprint champion Maj Alm, Denmark, able to come anywhere near challenging her time.

- It was a good race and I was fighting all the way. I am very satisfied with the race and the gold, she said.

For Maja Alm, this was far and away her best result in a forest race, although she has shown on many occasions that she is a very good runner and navigator in forest terrain. Three days of sprint racing appeared not to have affected her performance. Natalia Gemperle, Russia, proved yet again that she is becoming one of the strongest and most consistent performers at world level in taking the bronze today, 5.36 down on Alexandersson.

In the men’s class, Olav Lundanes showed his determination in the way he set out from the start – almost a sprint down the run-out route. He posted fastest times throughout the course, but his run was not faultless. About making a mistake:

- I know I was close to the control, but it is difficult even if you are close to it in the green Estonian forest, he said.

This was his fifth individual WOC gold, and just like Tove Alexandersson he retains his Long distance title from last year.

- I am really really happy I managed to win two years in a row, and also get my fourth Long distance gold. They are all completely different and I am proud I have been able to win in different terrains, he said.

Silver medallist and closest contender throughout was Russian Leonid Novikov. The bronze medal went to the Swedish athlete William Lind, his first individual WOC medal. Norway’s strength in depth in this kind of race showed as they took fourth and fifth places.

For the full official results, go the WOC webpage: www.woc2017.ee.

[Press Release from the International Orientering Federation 2017-07-04; photo: Malin Fuhr]

WOC 2017: Sweden wins Sprint Relay

Sweden won the Sprint Relay at the Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships in Viljandi, Estonia. Denmark was second and Switzerland third.

The Swedish Sprint Relay team finally managed to be world champions.

- We have been fighting in the top for a long time, but this is the first time we finished on top. I couldn´t have dreamed about a better start of the championships, says last leg runner Helena Jansson.

The sprint terrain was challenging with a mix of urban terrain and steep slopes. The deciding moment came on the third leg when Great Britain and Switzerland made big mistakes. Jonas Leandersson in the Swedish team kept calm and got a 40 second lead.

- I managed to keep focused but I was surprised at the big gap at the end, says Jonas Leandersson.

Helena Jansson made a good race without any mistakes and Sweden won with a margin of 29 seconds.

- I focused really hard on my technical performance and I am really happy with the gold, says Helena Jansson.

The reigning champions Denmark won the silver after a very strong finish from Maja Alm. Switzerland with Sabine Hauswirth on the final leg took the bronze.

For the full official results, go the WOC webpage: www.woc2017.ee.

[Press release from the International Orienteering Federation 2017-07-02]

WOC 2017: Maja Alm and Daniel Hubmann World Champions in Sprint

The 2017 Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships kicked off today with the Sprint. The Danish Sprint Queen Maja Alm won for the third year in a row. In the men’s class Daniel Hubmann won, making this his 7th gold medal at World Orienteering Championships.

Orienteering’s Sprint Queen continues her reign

The Sprint at Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships took place in Tartu, Estonia, today. Maja Alm, Denmark, took a new momentous victory, after running an excellent race. She was 37 seconds faster than the silver medallist Natalia Gemperle, Russia.

- I feel very happy and it is also a relief. I have been looking forward so much to this day although I am getting more and more nervous every year. I am very proud of this medal, as the pressure is getting bigger and bigger, says Maja Alm.

Galina Vinogradova, Russia, was third just one second after Gemperle.

Close competition

In the tight men’s class, the Swiss Daniel Hubmann ran an impressive race and finished two seconds faster than Frederic Tranchand, France.

- It feels so great now, especially because I have focused a lot on sprint training ahead of these championships, says Daniel Hubmann.

Last year’s world champion Jerker Lysell, Sweden, took the bronze.

For the full official results, go the WOC webpage: www.woc2017.ee.

[Press Release from the International Orienteering Federation 2017-07-01; Photo Mathias Salonen | IOF Digital Team]

World Orienteering Championships to be broadcast worldwide

The Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships, WOC, held in Estonia 1 – 7 July, will be broadcast throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The championships will be broadcast live in Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Sweden. Highlights programs will be broadcast in 139 countries around the world.

- We are very happy that we have been able to further increase the visibility of orienteering and WOC through several new broadcasting deals, says Tom Hollowell, IOF CEO. We have also established a consistent quality in our live productions and are glad to see a continued interest from core markets. We are still awaiting last-minute answers from several other broadcasting partners, among others in North America, so the above numbers might grow slightly.

Live broadcasts

Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Sweden will send the full live package including all medal races. Switzerland is receiving the full live package to tape to create their own programming and the Czech Republic will broadcast overall highlights.

- As an organiser, we are very happy that this fantastic event and views of beautiful Estonia will be broadcast to such a big audience in many parts of the world. It’s proof that orienteering is a growing TV sport and proof of our many years of dedication to make this event happen, says Markus Puusepp, event director WOC 2017.

In addition, through a partnership with Broadreach Media, highlights programs from each event in the IOF Orienteering World Cup (including the Nokian Tyres World Orienteering Championships) will be broadcast in another 137 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The full live productions will also be available globally via LIVE Orienteering at www.liveorienteering.com.

[Press release from the International Orienteering Federation 2017-06-22]

Doris Kudre: "I started reading maps before reading books"

Today, the Portuguese Orienteering Blog heads to Estonia, meeting Doris Kudre, an athlete who can perfectly combine SkiO and MTBO. In a long Interview, she introduces herself and leaves her thoughts on both disciplines.

I would start by asking you to introduce yourself: Who is Doris Kudre?

Doris Kudre (D. K.) - I'm a 19 year old girl from Estonia. I was born in South-Estonia, in a small place called Värska, but I moved to Tartu this Autumn , where I'm studying Economics in Tartu University. If someone who wasn't an athlete asked me about my hobbies, I would say “sport“, but now I don't know what to say. I used to play piano and accordion, but I’m actually so busy with school and sport that I don’t have any other serious hobbies. I love traveling and new experiences and I think I've been able to have lots of them as an athlete.

What came first: Bikes or skis?

D. K. - I think every child from an athletic family is introduced to bike and skis from a very early age. It was the same with me. I believe I started to like skiing more because I practised it often and I became better at it. As a child, skiing was like a real sport, while biking was more of a mean of transport. I started to practise biking seriously in 2013, when I got myself a proper bike.

How did you meet Orienteering? Do you recall the first moment you said to yourself: “ - That's it, Orienteering is my sport!”

D. K. - My parents have done orienteering since they were in school and their passion for orienteering has carried over to their children, too. They took me and my two sisters and brother to orienteering competitions and trainings from an early age. I think there wasn’t such a moment when I decided Orienteering would be my sport for life. I've grown up with it and I can’t even imagine my life without it. I've seen myself as an orienteer from the beginning, but I think 2013 was my breakthrough into “professional“ orienteering, when I attended all three SkiO (European Youth), FootO (European Youth) and MTBO (Junior World) Championships. In EYSOC I managed to win the gold medal and, since then, there hasn’t been any way back.

Why Orienteering and why not Athletics, Ice Hockey or Football?

D. K. - I started reading maps before reading books. As my parents have also been orienteering coaches in our hometown school, I got the opportunity to learn orienteering with my friends. I was quite talented and did well in orienteering competitions from the time I ran the string course. In school I still sometimes participated in other sports competitions, but, as I didn’t practise other sports, my results didn't satisfy me and that’s why I've stuck with orienteering.

You are able to combine MTBO and SkiO, achieving great results in both disciplines. But, is there one that you prefer?

D. K. - In 2013 and 2014, I participated in all three orienteering disciplines’ Championships and as I got the best results in ski-orienteering (gold and silver medals twice), my biggest motivation was to train for winter. Since last year, I left FootO to focus more on MTBO and SkiO. My training plan is based on the vision that the main competition season is in the Winter, while in Spring and in Summer I combine roller skiing, running and strength exercises with biking. In my opinion, SkiO and MTBO fit together quite well, they make trainings more varied and keep my orienteering skills adjusted during the Summer, as well.

What do you see in these disciplines that make them so special?

D. K. - In the beginning, you mustn't think “just go and push as hard as you can“, because the results actually depend on keeping focused during the whole race and carrying your plans out on the course. Every race is unique and there is a lot to talk and analyse after every race.

With the third place in the Middle Distance in the last Junior World MTB Orienteering Championships, in Portugal, you achieved your best result so far. Did you expect it?

D. K. - After my results last year and this year’s 4th place in Sprint I must say that I was expecting it! I’d been close to the medal, but something was still missing. In the evening before the Middle Distance I started to think about the race. “It’s going to be The Day!”, I said to myself, keeping it in my mind in the next morning and also during the race. The target on that day was high speed riding and navigate smoothly. I kept full focused on the first half of the course, where I only made some minor mistakes. Two controls before the finish my bike’s chain came off on an uphill and, as I was already quite tired, it took me about 50 seconds to solve the problem. I knew I had lost lot of time, but I still thought I had a chance for the medals and pushed hard until the end. At first I was a little disappointed for losing the silver medal with that technical problem, but afterwards I realized that I really did what I was aiming for and I was extremely happy and satisfied.

Did you enjoy your week in Portugal?

D. K. - In the end of July the weather in Portugal was sunny and really warm – the temperature was of over 30 degrees every day. It was something new for me, because in Estonia there are usually only 2-3 days like this during the whole summer. I headed to Portugal with high expectations and I was really nervous before the first two races. After winning the bronze medal I felt really satisfied with the whole week, but still tried to focus for two more races. The beginning of the Long Distance was bad – I couldn’t concentrate at all and couldn’t find the best route choices. Halfway through the course it got even worse when I got a flat tyre. I started to walk towards the finish without thinking at all and made an extremely long and unnecessary distance that day, arriving more than three hours after my start. As I was the only female Junior from my country, I competed in Men Junior class in the Relay and it was more like an experience rather than going for the win.

You attended Lithuania for the World Cup in MTBO, along with the best Elite athletes in the World. How big is the clash between the Junior and the Elite categories?

D. K. - I was in a really bad shape in the beginning of October and I was also a bit sick during the competitions, so my results were below all my expectations and my races weren’t good and smooth at all. I lost too much time to the best Elite women in every distance. As I've seen earlier, the Elite women are real professional bikers with good navigational skills, they have more experience and they adjust faster to different situations – and these are the main differences between Junior and Elite categories. The clash between me and the Elite athletes is quite big, but not that big compared with the best Juniors.

And what about the Ski orienteering season of 2015-2016?

D. K. - In the last ski-orienteering season I was able to compete in the two first World Cup rounds, in Finland and in Germany, where I made some satisfactory races and got a chance to compete in a lot of good terrains. My main goal was to compete well at the Junior World Championships in Austria, but I was totally disappointed with my results. My best result was the 9th place in the Middle Distance and that wasn’t exactly what I was aiming for. It was nice that we had enough snow in Estonia last winter, that all four distances of the Estonian Championships were held. In the individual distances I competed in Elite category and I got a medal in every distance.

What's the meaning of being an orienteer in Estonia?

D. K. - As our country’s orienteering-family isn’t as big as our neighbouring countries' (Finland, Sweden, Russia), it isn’t that hard to get into the National Team. I'm still Junior, but I've got the opportunity to improve myself, attending Elite Championships. The Estonian MTBO Team is quite small - I'm the only female Junior in our team -, attending the Championships, mostly, with the men Elite. But we get along quite well and it’s always instructive and nice to hear advice from the World Champions. The SkiO Youth, Junior and Elite teams have the same coach and train together. It makes the team bigger and gives young athletes the opportunity to learn from the older ones. We have had camps and weekend trainings together in the summer and in autumn, including high-quality trainings and meetings in the evenings. The SkiO team’s preparation gets better every year – the training camps increase the team’s unity, active organizers are able to organize competitions within a week and the team is full of athletes who enjoy ski-orienteering and being part of the Estonian National team.

Tell me about your older sister, Daisy. Is she, in some way, an inspiration to you? What other person do you see as a reference?

D. K. - My sister Daisy has set a good pattern for me and she is my biggest inspiration. As we spend much time together, I can see how dedicated she is to everything she deals with. A younger sister’s goal is to be better than her older sister and, for me, it has been a really big motivation for years. My goal in the last few years has been to beat her and I can say that I did it several times, which was really satisfying. I have learned a lot from her in different fields and her success makes me work harder, because I want to be at least as good and steady as she is. My father, who is also my coach, is my biggest supporter and the most important person in my sport career and, therefore, also in my life. I am immensely thankful for his commitment to my sport career. He is the one who is the most critical of my acts and his opinions, most of the times, matter the most to me.

What are your main goals for 2017, both in SkiO and MTBO?

D. K. - As it is going to be my last year as a Junior, it's my last chance to perform well and get better results than ever before. In SkiO, my main goal is to get in shape for the Junior World Championships, in Finland, and put my skis on the line with the other Juniors. Probably I’m also going to Krasnoyarsk, to the Elite World Championships, and this will be the second important competition-week this Winter. The main goal for me in the Summer is going to be the MTBO Junior World Championships in Lithuania. The terrains there are similar to Estonia and, as shown in the World Cup, in Kaunas, the races are going to be very technical and I hope I can turn this into my strength. But currently I’m more focused on the Ski Orienteering season and the MTBO season still seems quite distant. I'm going to help, as a volunteer, to organize the WOC in Estonia next Summer and I am already waiting for it with excitement to see the world’s best orienteers in Estonia. I also believe that Estonians will perform well on homeland and we’ll have many reasons to be proud of them.

What advice would you leave to the young athletes who are starting out?

D. K. - Try different orienteering disciplines and find the one which is right for you.

Joaquim Margarido

WMOC 2016: Thirteen countries in the Sprint podium's highest place

Sweden with five gold medals and Finland with four, were the great winners of the World Masters Orienteering Championships WMOC 2016's first finals, that took place this morning in Tallin, Estonia. Held in the beautiful Old Town Quarter, the race had the participation of 3257 athletes, representing 42 different countries.

Tallinn's medieval Old Town is known for its well-preserved completeness and authentic Hanseatic architecture. But the historical space it's also a great sprint terrain with parks, city streets, some climbing and interesting route choices, as could live and feel the more than 3,200 athletes who competed this morning in the Sprint Final of the World Masters Orienteering Championships WMOC 2016. Nice courses, quite interesting challenges and tight fights were the 25 competition classes’ common denominator, with 711 male athletes and 562 female attending the Final A.

With more than eight hundred athletes entered, Finland is the most represented country in the World Championships, having achieved four gold medals in the first of two finals of the event’s program. Better than Finland, just Sweden, with five gold medals, one of which by the most veteran athlete present in Tallinn, Astrid Andersson, the first athlete ever to compete in the W95 class in 21 editions of the Championships. In the WMOC 2016’s book of honor, the host country is in the third place with three gold medals. Overall, there were sixteen countries with representatives on today’s podiums, with thirteen of these reaching the gold.

Finally, some interesting facts about today's race. The podiums of M70 and W70 classes were fully painted with the colours of Finland and Norway, respectively. The Bulgarian Tsvetan Todorov was the only athlete achieving the title for the second year in a row, repeating the gold reached in Göteborg, Sweden, in the previous edition of the Championships. The duels in several classes were particularly balanced, with the Czech Alena Rosecka achieving the tightest victory by the narrow margin of one second over the Norwegian Unni Strand Karlsen, in the W60 class. Other wins by narrow margin were those of the British James Crawford on the Australian Geoff Lawford by 5 seconds at M60 class, the Swedish Annika Björk on the Estonian Kirti Rebane for 6 seconds in the W40 class, the Estonian Airi Alnek on the Finnish Anne Nurmi for 7 seconds in the W50 class and also the Estonian Ilse Uus on the Swedish Birgitta Olsson, also by a margin of seven seconds, in the W75 class. In the W35 class, the Russian Galina Vinogradova, bronze medal in the last World Championships, achieved one of the most comfortable victories over the Finnish Katri Lindeqvist by the difference of 1:37.

World Masters Champions 2016

Sprint

M35 Dmitry Mihalkin, BLR

M40 Petteri Muukkonen FIN

M45 Thomas Jensen DEN

M50 Tsvetan Todorov BUL

M55 Stefan Bolliger SUI

M60 James Crawford GBR

M65 Raimo Hyyryläinen FIN

M70 Olli Lehtinen FIN

M75 Helmut Conrad GER

M80 Jaroslav Havlik CZE

M85 Atsushi Takahashi JPN

M90 Arvo Majoinen FIN

W35 Galina Vinogradova RUS

W40 Annika Björk SWE

W45 Natasha Key AUS

W50 Airi Alnek EST

W55 Marje Viirmann EST

W60 Alena Rosecka CZE

W65 Maria Nordwall SWE

W70 Kari Timenes Laugen NOR

W75 Ilse Uus EST

W80 Ebba-Lisa Flygar SWE

W85 Vre Harzenmoser SUI

W90 Elvy Fredin SWE

W95 Astrid Andersson SWE

Complete results and further information at http://wmoc2016.ee/.

[Photo: WMOC 2016 / facebook.com/wmoc2016/photos/]

Joaquim Margarido