Keith Dawson. The name may sound unfamiliar to most readers, but everyone in the MTB Orienteering family
knows him. Keith's enthusiasm and expertise make him a reference,
both inside and outside the forest. To meet this true Master of the
Masters, we dive deep into the MTB orienteering world, in
a fascinating and enriching journey.
You've been participating in most of
the MTB Orienteering events in the last seasons and we could see you
attending 14 out of 15 World Masters Series stages this year. At the
age of 58, where do you find the motivation to keep on competing so
regularly?
Keith Dawson (K. D.) - I have
learnt through some very tough times in Life that Life is not a dress
rehearsal! “If in doubt do it - you will always regret more what
you don't do than what you do”! These are two of my Life memes,
true whether you're setting up businesses in the “Wild East” in
Ukraine and Cuba or competing/organising in MTBO! I have had two
major knee constructions in the last four years and missed the
TransRockies 6 day race, with my son, this summer through a shoulder
injury - so absence makes the heart grow hungrier! That is motivation
enough but meeting the great MTBO community and searching for that
elusive “Perfect Run” are important too. In 42 years of FootO I
only managed it twice and never in MTBO - not yet!
Is this passion for bikes and MTBO a
recent story?
K. D. - I constantly thank my
two teachers, Dave and Mike, who introduced me to Orienteering back
in 1975! I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like without
this treasure of friends, landscapes, races and travel that
Orienteering has gifted me. I took up MTB in 1995 after a succession
of FootO ankle injuries and have been fortunate to travel the world.
Andes, New Zealand and Costa Rica the highlights. My first ever MTBO
was the World Masters near Gdansk in 2010 and from the first race I
was hooked!
What do you see in MTBO that makes
it so special?
K. D. - The blend of speed,
problem solving and technical riding is unique. The return of speed
would be an exciting aspect for Masters FootO competitors if they
tried it! Particularly those with “bad” knees! The MTBO community
is also very special and quite unlike that in most sports. Solving
the problems, at speed, set by our hard working planners and mappers
in new landscapes at speed is a legal “high”.
What kind of “family” is the
MTBO one?
K. D. - As I say a uniquely
friendly and inclusive one and of course global! There is also the
good aspect of hard but friendly competition whether in Elite or
Masters. I have had a unique opportunity this year with my 63 MTBO
races in 15 countries to savour this delight to the full! Riders such
as Jean-Charles Lalevee, Wolf Eberle and Charlie Somers-Cocks give
all of us, Masters, something to admire and aspire too!
We all appreciate your enthusiasm
and dedication in keeping us well-informed about the MTBO events,
sharing maps, results and pictures, sometimes even before the
official releases. How big is your concern about the communication
subject?
K. D. - Thank you! Communication
is important in any aspect of Life and I've been pleased with the
positive feedback. This helps to bring our community closer together.
Even if you couldn't attend the race you can ask that great old
question “Which way would I have gone?” Fix your map board to the
turbo this winter! We need more communication, not less!
Talking about the MTBO in general,
are we going in the right way?
K. D. - I would say we are
generally heading in the right direction. Sandor [Talas] has ably
guided us within the IOF framework and with HJ [Hans-Jørgen Kvåle]
now as an IOF marketing manager the sport is moving forward with more
events and rising standards.
There are a few areas I would comment
on: MTBO should be a race not an “eye test”. The use of the
correct scale, especially for Masters, is critical for full
enjoyment. If in doubt use the larger scale option - we all know how
to fold if necessary :). Some otherwise excellent races have been
rather spoilt by use of the wrong scale. Masters expend a lot of
income when they come to races both within our MTBO community and
beyond, their needs need to be catered for too. I have also seen
situations where not breaking a circle or covering a vital path have
spoilt an otherwise great course. I would implore planners to
consider these issues more carefully going forward.
We need to increase the number of women
in our Sport and a “buddy” system could help. If all women
brought a “buddy” along to an event and guided them this would
increase numbers and quality of competition. It is a wonderful Sport!
I think we also need to be slightly more inclusive with older age
group classes and recognise that a five year age increase post 60 is
different to post 50 and even more marked post 70. The last thing we
need to do is to discourage older competitors, they are an
inspiration to us all and also do a lot of organising! We can't
afford to lose them.
Finally I would say that, in the light
of recent independent press and also official reports, together with
IOF Olympic aspirations, we need to increase our monitoring and out
of competition testing of prohibited substances. Glib denial is not
the way forward. All houses need to be put in order. We must show
that we are, and will remain, a prohibited substance free Sport which
is fair for ALL high level competitors. Not least we need to
safeguard the long term health and freedom of these same competitors.
When I read “World Masters
Series”, your name immediately comes to my mind. How close is your
relation with the WMS?
K. D. - Whilst it is true the
initial concept was mine, Sandor has been highly supportive and WMS
now belongs to the whole Masters MTBO community. Tamas Janko has been
brilliant putting in a great deal of dedication to calculate the
results, often under pressure, as in Lithuania. I have been delighted
with the positive feedback and constructive comment and the rising
standards it has undoubtedly engendered. My class M55 is almost as
competitive as Elite! We have two good sponsors in Continental
Farmers and Havana Energy who help produce the rather nice medals!
Now in its third year I believe it will go from strength to strength
with Masters Relays again in France and the new M/W35+ class to
bridge the gap from Elite and avoid competitors leaving the sport at
that point. It's great that organisers are now competing to have
their events included in WMS. The format would be easily applicable
to Ski-O and even Foot-O.”
How did you see the WMS along the
season?
K. D. - It was disappointing
that more competitors did not race in Cappadocia in the first races,
as all who did agreed it was indeed very special. The series went
well, with both rising numbers and standards. The five year age
classes have been very popular, especially in 60+. Many of the medals
went down to “the wire” in Lithuania and so did many “mini
competitions” between individuals within the classes. The WMS is a
Marathon not a Sprint and a good season long strategy is crucial as
well as within races. One mispunch or mechanical can lose a lot of
points and places if the season strategy is not optimised. Organisers
have realised hosting a WMS race increases numbers, so now in its
third year, organisers are competing to be included and several
offers for 2018 are already in, as well as a very exciting 2017 in
prospect. July will be an MTBO Festival with races in Pilsen, Vienna
and culminating in a season “finale” in Orleans. This has
encouraged more racers from south of the equator to compete. The aim
of the WMS was to increase standards for Masters competition, help
development in outlying countries and to increase the Fun! I think it
has been successful on all counts thus far.
In the meanwhile, the World Masters
Series 2017 has already started (!). Apart the earthquake, would you
like to share your thoughts about the event in New Zealand?
K. D. - Yes, despite the
difficulties caused by the quake, numbers and standards of
competition were high and all aspects of world class standard. The
area used for the North Island Champs the week before the WMS races,
“Marquita's Garden” is my all time favourite MTBO area. The
WMS/NZ races near Rotorua were outstanding and the Sprint race was
particularly high quality. I really hope NZ can host the World
Championships in due course. So much great riding, a wonderful
country and such a welcome! I hope more NZ and Australian competitors
will head North for our exciting summer this year.
You were a privileged spectator of
the MTBO Elite season and I would ask you to highlight some of the
strongest moments in 2016?
K. D. - At the risk of (wrongly)
being accused of bias I would choose Emily Benham's Two World Champs
Golds in Portugal and her exciting World Cup win. This edges other
excellent performances, as it has sadly been achieved without
National Federation support or within a squad, but solely by
individual determination and motivation, with a little help from HJ
of course :) A great example to the whole Orienteering Family, not
just MTBO. In the Masters I would select Jean-Charles Lalevee's
triumph in the WMS this year in a very competitive class and after a
disappointing injury robbed him last season. True Gallic Grit!
Contrary to the last season, we
didn't have either MTBO courses or MTBO achievements suggested or
nominated for the World of O's polls this year. So, I'm going to ask
you to pick up the best course and the best achievement of the MTBO
season.
K. D. - Yes, that lack of
nominations was disappointing. This is a very difficult task with so
many worthy candidates! I will allow myself three - Sprint, Middle
and Long. So many great courses. So for a purely personal view: The
Sprint was the NZ/WMS race in Rotorua, a fantastic mix of three
terrain types including a tricky university campus with covered
walkways. The Middle from Cappodocia in March, a privilege to race
amongst the complex rock pillars and caves of a UNESCO World Heritage
Site! Although the “Ironworks” race was a close second,
illustrating the wide variety of terrain we enjoy! The Long from
Portugal, again with a mixture of terrains and with the temperature a
truly Long tough Challenge. Special mention too to the Middle in
Lithuania with putting a capital O in MTBO for the quality of map and
course planning. I'm very much looking forward to Vilnius!
How is it going to be the winter
season? How hard it will be staying away from the bikes and the
events' atmosphere for so long?
K. D. - A great trip to NZ with
6 fine races helps! Thankfully my great physio Dagmar, two great Drs
in Ireland and lots of physio exercises mean I can avoid a planned
major shoulder operation this winter, and I can plan for M60 in 2018!
The prospect of so many great races and a new season of WMS in 2017
will keep the winter “blues” at bay! Fortunately the biking
trails in Vienna, Scotland and Ireland, where I split my time, are
never too snowbound, so I can get my regular “fix” on the bike. I
do miss FootO though :(
What are you goals for 2017?
K. D. - To continue to play my
small part in building the success of WMS and Masters MTBO in general
and also to play my role in the MTBO Commission, where I have
recently been appointed. Oh and maybe push for a Masters Relay medal
for GB again in France :) and “to fill each hour with sixty minutes
well run!”
Is there anything else you'd like to
share?
K. D. - Just to wish ALL the
MTBO Community a Happy Festive Season and everything they wish for
themselves and their loved ones in 2017. Remember, “Life is not a
dress rehearsal.”
Joaquim Margarido
