Two or three things I know about it...

1. “The turn of the New Year is a good moment to reflect back but also to look ahead”. The words are from Simone Niggli, in a new message left on her webpage, in the last day of the last year. In a really nice article, Simone states that “orienteering is continuing to be close to my heart”, two years after resigning from the Swiss national. At six months to the Junior World Championships's opening, in which she plays the role of Event Director, Simone set a first goal for the big event: “I am looking forward to the many interesting spectators who will support the young athletes from all over the world”, she says. And assures: “Great orienteering action delivered live in the finish arenas with the speaker Per Forsberg commentating”. Besides this big commitment, the champion's current life consists of many different engagements: Family life, two part-time jobs, dealing with sponsors and time for herself: “I still love to run outside, and last but not least, I very much like to continue competing in orienteering events with map and compass.” Everything to read at http://www.simoneniggli.ch//home/page.aspx?archive_id=11390.

2. Another great article issued in 2015's last hours and signed for Minna Kauppi takes account of a new “chapter” in the athlete's life after having “put my o-shoes, compasses and training clothes aside and decided to find new adventures, goals and dreams in the other world, (…) where every day is not defined by trainings and recovery.” Struggling against her own body during the last years, Minna confesses: “ I almost stopped playing in the spring already”, adding that “it has never been my goal to be second”. “Chapter 2” is about “the other life” that, soon, will determine her days and hours – Minna will start working, for the first time ever, already this Monday. “I can just say that I didn’t really choose small challenges this time either. Humble, a bit scared, but happy, I will start the chapter two in my life next year!” In the post-scriptum, a guarantee: “I’ll be running o-competitions for sure, so we’ll definitely meet some day.” Take your time checking the full article at http://www.minnakauppi.com/en/node/339.

3. 2016 is coming with another great movie signed by Puresive Films. “Train Hard Win Easy – The Hubmann Brothers” is a “sequel”, a short movie produced two years after the filming of “Go Hard or Go Home”, again with the two world orienteering championships medallists, Martin Hubmann and Daniel Hubmann. At Puresive Films' page on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/puresivefilms/ -, Simon Rüegg and Lukas Schubnell commented: “Already two years ago, after the filming of 'Go Hard Or Go Home', the Hubmann brothers asked us if we could do again a little project. Now, after two years, we thought it would be time to make again an epic movie. Spontaneously and without much planning we headed out on a beautiful autumn day.” We take ours the wishes of Simon & Lukas: “Enjoy the beautiful landscape during an 'easy' training session and be amazed how fast, how nimble and how fleet-footed they run through the forests.” See the movie at https://youtu.be/tZ7LCzFr3TQ.

Joaquim Margarido

Martin Hubmann: "My dream is to win an individual medal once"

To the seventh place in the most important stage of the Portugal O' Meeting - the Long Distance WRE, on the third day –, he added the seventh place overall. On his return to Portugal, Martin Hubmann talks about his experience and shares his big dream.

How do you evaluate the POM 2015?

Martin Hubmann (M. H.) - I enjoyed it a lot. As always, we could see really nice, well organized competitions, good terrains and nice maps. I’ve already been here twice, in the coastal terrains and with similar competition maps, so I knew what to expect. I like mostly the maps in the mountains, with all those rocks and the challenge of more route choices instead of running straight, but it was nice as a basic Training Camp.

Are you happy with your results?

M. H. - My goal wasn’t to win the Portugal O’ Meeting. I tried to focus on two races – well, I didn’t win that (laughs) -, but it is okay. I don’t do too much orienteering in the winter, so it's not about the shape now. I’m getting back on the maps and I think it worked really well. The season will start in May with some important competitions, so there’s still a lot of time for training. We’ll soon have another Training Camp in Spain, it's a matter of trying to fix things.

What's the big goal for the season?

M. H. - The World Championships in Scotland will be my main focus. It’s always a challenge, I have to be ready to get a place in the Swiss Team, so I need to be well prepared for the World Cup in June, in Norway and Sweden, because the test races will be there.

Is it in your plans to take the victory in the WOC's Sprint Mixed Relay?

M. H. - As a defending champion, it would be nice to be on the podium again, but, of course, my dream is to win an individual medal once. I don’t know if it will be already this year, but that’s my goal.

Excuse me for asking you this but… Do you feel in the shadow of your brother?

M. H. - When you ask it like that, yes (laughs). But it’s also an advantage to have a brother like Daniel, because I learn so much from him. He was also coaching me when I was a Junior, we still have a lot in common, we discuss a lot and I think we both take profit on it. Many people ask me the same question but I don’t care. I’m proud of having such a brother.

Do you dream of being also the nº1?

M. H. - In the family (laughs)?

World's nº 1, I mean. After all, what does your brother have that you don't?

M. H. - I think there’s still a physical gap to him, I’m not that fast yet. But that’s all about time and training. Of course, he’s more secure on the map than I am. It’s a matter of experience, mostly.

In the beginning of a new season, I would like to ask you for a wish to all orienteers.

M. H. - To those guys who do Orienteering, that are training and having fun, try to improve your shape and don’t get injured, because this is the most important. Otherwise, it sucks. It’s nice to be healthy, to go into the forest and to do orienteering.

Joaquim Margarido