Spanish Orienteering Championships 2017: Anna Serralonga and Antonio Martinez were the main figures

The Holy Week ended and, with it, the Spanish Orienteering Championships CEO 2017, which called to Canencia and Miraflores de la Sierra (Madrid) close to 1,900 competitors. Three days, five races and 27 medals distributed in the Elite category, mostly achieved by the Valencian Community and Catalonia, are a few numbers of a great event. Individually, Antonio Martínez and Anna Serralonga were the main figures.

Organized by GOCAN – Grupo de Orientación Complutense y Actividades en la Naturaleza, Spanish Orienteering Federation and International Orienteering Federation, the CEO 2017 kicked off on Friday, 14th April, in Pinares de Canencia with the Middle Distance, a very technical and fast race in which no one was saved from mistakes. In the Women Elite class, Esther Gil (Colivenc), was the fastest, ahead of the favorite, Anna Serrallonga (Go-Xtrem) and Annabel Valledor (Badalona-O). Among the Men, Luis Nogueira (COMA) achieved a surprising gold, ahead of Antonio Martinez (Colivenc), who was also a favorite. The bronze was taken by Eduardo Gil (Tjalve).

Friday afternoon, took place the always exciting Relay races, in which Catalonia and Valencia fought hardly for the victory, both in Men and Women Elite classes. The women's team of Catalonia would take the gold for the second year in a row, ahead of the Valencian Community and Castilla la Mancha. In the men's class, the Valencia team climbed to the top of the podium, ahead of Andalusia and Catalonia, who contested the silver in a tight and intense final.

10 individual medals for Colivenc

The second day of competition was dedicated to the urban races, having Miraflores de la Sierra as the perfect stage for two amazing moments. Scoring for the IOF Sprint Orienteering World Ranking, the Sprint had in the athletes of Center Esportiu Colivenc (Alicante), Violeta Feliciano and Andreu Blanes, the big winners. The podium was completed by Ona Ràfols (COC) and Anna Serrallonga, in the Women's class, and Eduardo Gil and Antonio Martínez, in the Men's class. During the afternoon, time for the Mixed Relay where Catalonia achieved the first and the second positions, ahead of Castile and Leon, third placed.

The third day of competition was reserved for the Long Distance that will surely be the hardest of the season, not only for the demanding courses but also for taking place after two intense days. After 1 hour and 21 minutes of race, Anna Serrallonga got the victory by just eight seconds over Esther Gil. The bronze would be achieved by Violeta Feliciano. In men Antonio Martinez would take the gold ahead of his team mates, Andreu Blances and Roger Casal. Looking on the overall standings, the Center Esportiu Colivenc took 10 out of 18 possible medals in the individual races, being possible to say that the Valencians were stronger in the individual races, while the Catalans got the most out of the Relay races.

Results

Long Distance

Men Elite

1. Antonio Martinez (Colivenc) 1:14:28 (+ 00:00)

2. Andreu Blanes (Colivenc) 1:17:07 (+ 02:39)

3. Roger Casal (Colivenc) 1:22:01 (+ 07:33)

4. Eduardo Gil (Tjalve) 1:22:50 (+ 08:22)

5. Pau Llorens (COB) 1:23:35 (+ 09:07)

Women Elite

1. Anna Serralonga (Go-Xtrem) 1:21:44 (+ 00:00)

2. Esther Gil (Colivenc) 1:21:52 (+ 00:08)

3. Violeta Feliciano (Colivenc) 1:27:23 (+ 05:39)

4. Ona Ràfols (COC) 1:28:39 (+ 06:55)

5. Annabel Valledor (Badalona-O) 1:36:42 (+ 14:58)

Middle Distance

Men Elite

1. Luis Nogueira (COMA) 28:10 (+ 00:00)

2. Antonio Martinez (Colivenc) 29:46 (+ 01:36)

3. Eduardo Gil (Tjalve) 29:51 (+ 01:41)

4. Marc Serralonga (Go-Xtrem) 30:08 (+ 01:58)

5. Andreu Blanes (Colivenc) 30:24 (+ 02:14)

5. Roger Casal (Colivenc) 30:24 (+ 02:14)

Women Elite

1. Esther Gil (Colivenc) 37:43 (+ 00:00)

2. Anna Serralonga (Go-Xtrem) 38:47 (+ 01:04)

3. Annabel Valledor (Badalona-O) 42:38 (+ 04:55)

4. Ona Ràfols (COC) 42:57 (+ 05:14)

5. Esmeralda Ruiz (Sant Joan) 45:28 (+ 07:45)

WRE Sprint

Men Elite

1. Andreu Blanes (Colivenc) 13:37 (+ 00:00)

2. Eduardo Gil (Tjalve) 13:45 (+ 00:08)

3. Ricardo Ferreira (FPO Portuguese Team) 14:47 (+ 01:10)

3. João Mega Figueiredo (FPO Portuguese Team) 14:47 (+ 01:10)

5. Gregory Ahlswede (Escondite-M) 15:06 (+ 01:29)

Women Elite

1. Violeta Feliciano (Colivenc) 13:25 (+ 00:00)

2. Ona Ràfols (COC) 13:34 (+ 00:09)

3. Anna Serralonga (Go-Xtrem) 13:57 (+ 00:32)

4. Mariana Moreira (FPO Portuguese Team) 14:00 (+ 00:35)

5. Amparo Gil (COB) 14:21 (+ 00:56)

Relay

Men Elite

1. Comunidad Valenciana (Roger Casal, Andreu Blanes, Antonio Martinez) 1:38:49 (+ 00:00)

2. Andalucia A (Jose Manuel Garcia, Javier Ruiz de la Herran, Luis Nogueira) 1:45:44 (+ 06:55)

3. Cataluña A (Marc Serralonga, Biel Ràfols, Pau Llorens) 1:45:59 (+ 07:10)

4. Madrid A (Greg Ahlswede, Alvaro Benavente, Alvaro Prieto Del Campo) 1:52:09 (+ 13:20)

5. Cataluña C (David Tarres, Llei Viles Bonet, Eloi Marti) 1:53:34 (+ 14:45)

Women Elite

1. Cataluña A (Ona Ràfols, Amparo Gil, Anna Serralonga) 1:30:32 (+ 00:00)

2. Comunidad Valenciana A (Violeta Feliciano, Esmeralda Ruiz, Esther Gil) 1:39:15 (+ 08:43)

3. Castilla-La Mancha A (Carmen Patiño, Maria Rodriguez, Guadalupe Moreno) 1:48:03 (+ 17:31)

4. Cataluña B (Marta Sanchez, Laura serra, Annabel Valledor) 1:50:13 (+ 19:41)

5. Castilla Y León A (Marina Garcia, Marta Perez, Amanda Pons) 1:52:45 (+ 22:13)

Mixed Relay

1. Cataluña A (Ona Ràfols, Pau Llorens, Marc Serralonga, Anna Serralonga) 45:25 (+ 00:00)

2. Cataluña B (Laura Serra, Biel Ràfols, Pol Ràfols, Amparo Gil) 51:51 (+ 06:26)

3. Castilla Y León A (Marina Garcia, Diego Lázaro de Juan, Cosme Sánchez, Yara Bores) 53:33 (+ 08:08)

4. Cataluña C (Andrea Guillen, Eloi Martí, Sebastián Ordoñez, Laia Gil) 56:41 (+ 11:16)

5. Aragón A (Jara Gracia, Israel Fuentes, Jesus Chicharro, Esther Arias) 56:51 (+ 11:26)

Complete results and further information at http://ceo2017.es/.

[Photo: Ampa Gil-Brotons]

Joaquim Margarido

3rd Costa Alentejana MTB Orienteering Trophy: Victories of Machado, Marques, Silva and Varela

The international MTBO season kicked off last weekend in Portugal. Santiago do Cacém was the perfect venue for two intense orienteering days in which Daniel Marques, Davide Machado, Ana Filipa Silva and Ana Varela Yañez achieved victories in the Elite category.

Santiago do Cacém, one of the five Municipalities of Alentejo Coast, hosted last weekend the third edition of the Costa Alentejana MTBO Trophy. Organized by the Clube de Orientação e Aventura do Litoral Alentejano, Clube da Natureza de Alvito, Santiago do Cacém Municipality, Portuguese Orienteering Federation and International Orienteering Federation, the event offered a Middle and a Long Distance, both stages scoring for the IOF World MTB Orienteering Ranking, and also a Sprint race (Open) along with the National Championships of Relay. This was, also, the second round of the 2016/2017 World Masters Series and the 2017 Women Iberian Championships.

The competition program started Saturday morning with a challenging Middle Distance race, in which Davide Machado (.COM) achieved a good victory in the Men Elite class with the time of 45:59. The whole podium was Portuguese, with Daniel Marques (COC) and João Ferreira (CAB) taking the immediate positions. In the Long Distance, held on Sunday. Machado did “mp” and Marques got a comfortable victory by more than seven minutes over the Spanish David Tarrés Villegas (COB). In the Women Elite class, Ana Filipa Silva (CPOC) won the Middle stage over Susana Pontes (COC), with an advantage close to three minutes. In the Long Distance, she did a couple of huge mistakes and couldn't get better than the third place. The winner was Ana Varela Yañez (Brigantia Aventura) with the time of 1:59:05, against 2:07:18 from Susana Pontes (COC), second placed once more. Ana Varela Yañez also won the Sprint race, Jorge Garcia Pardos (Peña Guara) being the winner in the Men Elite class. BTT Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS (Rita Gomes, Sofia Gomes and Marisa Costa) got the Relay title in the Women Senior class, while COC (Susana Pontes, André Esteves and Daniel Marques) was the winner in the Men Senior class.

Iberian Championships and World Masters Series

Part of the event's program, the 2017 Women Iberian MTB Orienteering Championships had in the Portuguese Marisa Costa and Rita Gomes, both representing Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS BTT, the winners of the Iberian Long Distance and Middle Distance titles, in W20 and W40 classes, respectively. In the Elite class, the Spanish Ana Varela Yañez (Brigantia Aventura) was the fastest in the Long Distance, with the Portuguese Ana Filipa Silva (CPOC) getting the Iberian title of Middle Distance. Finally, the Iberian titles of W50 class were distributed by two Spanish athletes, with Eva Maria Martin (Monte El Pardo) winning the Long Distance and Luisa Sánchez Vásquez to be the strongest in the Middle Distance.

The 3rd Costa Alentejana MTB Orienteering Trophy also hosted the second round of the 2017 World Masters Series, in which the Portuguese athletes achieved a total of seven wins. The Danes climbed six times to the highest place of the podium, while Swedes and British did it four times. Spain with three wins and Austria with two victories complete the winners' board. It should be noted that, in addition to the six mentioned nations, athletes from the United States and France were present in the Portuguese round of the World Masters Series, which counted a total of 82 competitors.

Results

3rd Costa Alentejana MTB Orienteering Trophy

WRE Middle Distance

Men Elite

1. Davide Machado (.COM) 45:59 (+ 00:00)

2. Daniel Marques (COC) 48:43 (+ 02:44)

3. João Ferreira (CAB) 51:27 (+ 05:28)

4. Angel Garcia Garcia (Brigantia Aventura) 52:25 (+ 06:26)

5. David Toll Clos (CEO BTT) 53:47 (+ 07:48)

Women Elite

1. Ana Filipa Silva (CPOC) 51:30 (+ 00:00)

2. Susana Pontes (COC) 54:10 (+ 02:40)

3. Ana Varela Yañez (Brigantia Aventura) 57:40 (+ 06:10)

4. Maria del Mar Delgado Gonzalez (AD IES Sabon) 58:27 (+ 06:57)

5. Stepanka Betkova (ADM Ori-Mondego) 1:06:53 (+ 15:23)

WRE Long Distance

Men Elite

1. Daniel Marques (COC) 1:55:58 (+ 00:00)

2. David Tarrés Villegas (COB) 2:03:12 (+ 07:14)

3. Jorge Garcia Pardos (Peña Guara) 2:04:05 (+ 08:07)

4. Angel Garcia Garcia (Brigantia Aventura) 2:05:11 (+ 09:13)

5. Marco Palhinha (CP Abrunheira) 2:11:55 (+ 15:57)

Women Elite

1. Ana Varela Yañez (Brigantia Aventura) 1:59:05 (+ 00:00)

2. Susana Pontes (COC) 2:07:18 (+ 08:13)

3. Ana Filipa Silva (CPOC) 2:12:12 (+ 13:07)

4. Luisa Felpeto Gonzalez (Fluvial Lugo) 2:26:27 (+ 27:22)

5. Carolina López Chaves (RandoBike) 2:41:14 (+ 42:09)

2017 Women Iberian Championships

Middle Distance

Women Elite – Ana Filipa Silva (CPOC)

W20 – Marisa Costa (BTT Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS)

W40 – Rita Gomes (BTT Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS)

W50 – Luisa Sánchez Vásquez (Aromon)

Long Distance

Women Elite – Ana Varela (Brigantia Aventura)

W20 – Marisa Costa (BTT Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS)

W40 – Rita Gomes (BTT Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS)

W50 – Eva Maria Martin (Monte El Pardo)

2016/2017 World Masters Series’ 2nd round

Middle Distance

M35 / W35 – Johan MacLassen (RSOK) and Sandra Rodrigues (ADFA)

M40 / W40 – Juan Manuel Gallego (Tierra Trágame) and Rita Gomes (BTT Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS)

M45 – Alex Liberato (BTT Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS)

M50 / W50 – Eduardo Sebastião (ADFA) and Karena Hanley (Individual GBR)

M55 / W55 – Kenneth Svensson (Finspangs SOK) and Ingrid Svensson (Finspangs SOK)

M60 – Nick Dallimore (Individual GBR)

M65 / W65 – Joergen Nielsen (Alleroed OK) and Annelise MacLassen (RSOK)

M70 – Wolf Eberle (HSV Aigen)

Long Distance

M35 / W35 – Johan MacLassen (RSOK) and Sandra Rodrigues (ADFA)

M40 / W40 – Juan Manuel Gallego (Tierra Trágame) and Rita Gomes (BTT Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS)

M45 – Paulo Gonçalves (BTT Loulé / BPI / ELEVIS)

M50 / W50 – Josep Selga San José (CEO BTT) and Karena Hanley (Individual GBR)

M55 / W55 – Kenneth Svensson (Finspangs SOK) and Ingrid Svensson (Finspangs SOK)

M60 – Nick Dallimore (Individual GBR)

M65 / W65 – Joergen Nielsen (Alleroed OK) and Annelise MacLassen (RSOK)

M70 – Wolf Eberle (HSV Aigen)

Complete results and further information at http://iiicamtbo.coala.com.pt/.

[Photo courtesy of Paula Silva / facebook.com/pipsilva]

Joaquim Margarido

Danish Spring 2017: Maja Alm won all stages

After achieving victories in all stages, Maja Alm was the Danish Spring's greatest star for the fourth year in a row. At the men's side, Olav Lundanes won the forest races and Tim Robertson was the fastest in the Sprint.

“Spring premiere with an international touch”, the Danish Spring held its sixth edition along the weekend. Organised by OK ØST Birkerød and HSOK, 2017 Danish Spring was attended by more than 800 competitors and took place in some of the best orienteering terrains in North Sealand. The weekend kicked off with sprint Friday in Elsinore. Saturday was middle distance in Harager Hegn, and today was time for long distance in Harager Hegn/Gribskov North. All three races were IOF World Ranking Events, and parts of the Danish Senior League, Trimtex Cup and the Danish Junior League, Løberen League. Saturday and Sunday’s races were also a part of the Danish Youth Cup.

After a great win over Daniel Hubmann at MOC Sprint, two weeks ago, Tim Robertson (Orienteering New Zealand) showed himself in great shape, getting a 38-second victory on Søren Schwartz (FIF Hillerød Orientering) in the Sprint stage. The forest stages, on second and third days, had in Olav Lundanes (Paimion Rasti) the great winner, first in the Middle Distance over Andrey Salin (Savedalens AIK), by just nine seconds and then, in an epic 19,3 km Long Distance, by narrow 16 seconds over Fredrik Bakkman (IFK Göteborg).

Maja Alm (OK H.T.F. / Danish Orienteering Federation) did three good races, having in Cecilie Friberg Klysner (FIF Hillerød Orientering) her biggest opponent. Maja Alm's 20 second victory in the Sprint oppened the door to a successful weekend, with Cecilie Klysner being second and Svetlana Mironova (Russian Orienteering Federation) finishing in the third position. The podium on the second stage was the same, but Alm's advantage over Klysner was this time of 2 minutes. In the Long Distance, Alm stretched the advantage over the second placed to 2:47, with Emma Klingenberg (Faaborg OK) finishing in the third position.

Results

Men Elite

Sprint

1. Tim Robertson (Orienteering New Zealand) 13:37 (+ 00:00)

2. Søren Schwartz (FIF Hillerød Orientering) 14:15 (+ 00:38)

3. Andreas Hougaard Boesen (OK Roskilde) 14:18 (+ 00:41)

4. Jakob Edsen (Aarhus 1900 Orientering) 14:26 (+ 00:49)

5. Otto Sund (OK Trian) 14:32 (+ 00:55)

Middle Distance

1. Olav Lundanes (Paimion Rasti) 37:47 (+ 00:00)

2. Andrey Salin (Savedalens AIK) 37:56 (+ 00:09)

3. Søren Schwartz (FIF Hillerød Orientering) 38:00 (+ 00:13)

4. Tue Lassen (Faaborg OK) 38:46 (+ 00:59)

5. Otto Simosas (OK Trian) 38:53 (+ 01:06)

Long Distance

1. Olav Lundanes (Paimion Rasti) 1:32:45 (+ 00:00)

2. Fredrik Bakkman (IFK Göteborg) 1:33:01 (+ 00:16)

3. Arto Talvinen (MS Parma) 1:35:45 (+ 03:00)

4. Olli Markus Taivanen (NAVI) 1:37:07 (+ 04:22)

5. Tue Lassen (Faaborg OK) 1:39:15 (+ 06:30)

Women Elite

Sprint

1. Maja Alm (OK H.T.F., DEN) 13:47 (+ 00:00)

2. Cecilie Friberg Klysner (FIF Hillerød Orientering) 14:07 (+ 00:20)

3. Svetlana Mironova (Russian Orienteering Federation, RUS) 14:32 (+ 00:45)

4. Malja Sianoja (Finnish Orienteering Federation, FIN) 14:34 (+ 00:47)

5. Karoliina Sundberg (Lynx, FIN) 14:48 (+ 01:01)

Middle Distance

1. Maja Alm (Danish Orienteering Federation) 30:23 (+ 00:00)

2. Cecilie Friberg Klysner (FIF Hillerød Orientering) 32:23 (+ 02:00)

3. Svetlana Mironova (Russian Orienteering Federation, RUS) 33:44 (+ 03:21)

4. Ida Marie Næss Bjørgul (Paimion Rasti) 33:52 (+ 03:29)

5. Hollie Orr (Halden SK) 34:08 (+ 03:45)

Long Distance

1. Maja Alm (Danish Orienteering Federation) 1:10:45 (+ 00:00)

2. Cecilie Friberg Klysner (FIF Hillerød Orientering) 1:13:32 (+ 02:47)

3. Emma Klingenberg (Faaborg OK) 1:14:00 (+ 03:15)

4. Hollie Orr (Halden SK) 1:14:14 (+ 03:29)

5. Marika Teini (SK Pohjantahti) 1:14:59 (+ 04:14)

Full results and further information at http://www.danishspring.dk/.

[Photo: Bent Hjarbo / Danish Spring / photos.google.com]

Joaquim Margarido

POM 2017: Moments (6)

© Joaquim Margarido

POM 2017: Moments (5)

© Joaquim Margarido

POM 2017: Moments (4)

© Joaquim Margarido

Martin Kronlund International Trophy 2017: Victories of Andreu Blanes and Sofia Haajanen

Confirming an excellent shape, Andreu Blanes Reig was the winner of the Martin Kronlund International Trophy 2017. On the women's side, Sofia Haajanen get the best overall time, ahead of Esther Gil and Ona Ràfols. Daniel Hubmann was the event's big absent.

With the presence of 1,238 athletes from 15 countries, took place last weekend in San Martin de Valdeiglesias, 80 km west of Madrid, the 27th edition of Martin Kronlund International Trophy. After Santa Pola, Alicante (15th Costa Blanca Trophy) and Murcia (29th Costa Calida Trophy) the event marked the return of the Spanish Foot Orienteering League 2017, offering three stages - Long Distance and Sprint on the first day and Middle Distance on the second Day -, the first of which scoring for the IOF World Orienteering Ranking. The organization, led by the clubs Adyron, OrientaGetafe and Alabarda-O, Madridian Orienteering Federation and Spanish Orienteering Federation, offered excellent courses on beautiful terrains, paying the best tribute to the “father” of Spanish Orienteering, Martin Kronlund.

Very tough physically, not only by the undergrowth vegetation preventing a faster and fluid running, but also by the heat, the Long Distance race had in Estonian Timo Sild (Koovee) and Finnish Marika Teini (SK Pohjantahti ) the great winners. In the men's sector, Sild counted on the strong opposition of the Spanish Andreu Blanes Reig, registering in the end of the 11.4 km of his course a time of 1:09:52 against 1:11:36 of his most direct opponent. Lauri Sild was the third ranked, at 4:13 of his brother and teammate. Introduced as the favorite to the victory, Marika Teini had also a hard task to get rid of her compatriot and team mate Sofia Haajanen, having finished in 1:10:44 the 8.2 km of her route and registered a twenty-second advantage over the second placed. With a high quality performance, the “veteran” Esther Gil i Brotons (Colivenc) was the third ranked, with more 6:48 than the winner.

Andreu Blanes and Outi Hytonen won the Middle Distance

With many absences, surely motivated by the hardness of the Long Distance race and by the fact that this stage didn't count for the Trophy, the Sprint had again in Timo Sild the great figure, winning conclusively with the time of 11:44 . Marc Serralonga Arqués (Go-Xtrem) and Joni Hirvikallio (Koovee) took the immediate positions, with more 27 seconds and 28 seconds than the winner, respectively. Violeta Feliciano Sanjuán (Colivenc) was the fastest to complete her course, winning the Elite class with the time of 13:08. Sofia Haajanen finished in the second place with a thirty-second disadvantage, and Anna Serralonga Arqués (Go-Xtrem) get the third position, 46 seconds behind the winner.

For the last day was reserved the Middle Distance stage, in which Andreu Blanes Reig was clearly the strongest. In a very technical and fast terrain, Andreu did a perfect race, finishing with the time of 24:02 and a two-minute advantage over the second placed, his teammate Antonio Martinez Perez. In third place, 2:44 after the winner, stood the Finnish Olli-Markus Taivanen (IMP 1398 Navi). Lauri Sild couldn't get better than the 5th place in this stage, and Andreu Blanes Reig won the Trophy. In the Women Elite class, the stage's winner was the Finn Outi Hytonen (Kangasala SK) with a time of 26:09 against 26:48 of her compatriot, Miia Niitynen (Koovee), second placed. The Spanish Ona Ràfols Perramon (COC Barcelona) achieved the third place. Overall, Sofia Haajanen won the Trophy with Esther Gil i Brotons and Ona Ràfols Perramon getting the immediate positions, separated from each other by only three seconds but at a distance of almost four minutes from the winner.

Overall standings

Men Elite

1. Andreu Blanes Reig (Colivenc) 1:35:38 (+ 00:00)

2. Timo Sild (Koovee) 1:37:07 (+ 01:29)

3. Lauri Sild (Koovee) 1:42:55 (+ 07:17)

4. Antonio Martínez Perez (Colivenc) 1:44:07 (+ 08:29)

5. Johan Backman (Malungs OK Skogsmårdarna) 1:44:11 (+ 08:33)

Women Elite

1. Sofia Haajanen (SK Pohjantahti) 1:43:25 (+ 00:00)

2. Esther Gil i Brotons (Colivenc) 1:47:09 (+ 03:44)

3. Ona Ràfols Perramon (COC Barcelona) 1:47:12 (+ 03:47)

4. Anna Serralonga Arques (Go-Xtrem) 1:49:06 (+ 05:41)

5. Sari Nurmela (Vehkalahden Veikot) 1:57:29 (+ 14:04)

For more information, complete results and photos of the event, please visit the respective website at http://www.alabardaorientacion.com/index.php/martin-krolund-2017/.

[Archive photo]

Joaquim Margarido

POM 2017: Moments (3)

© Joaquim Margarido

POM 2017: Moments (2)

© Joaquim Margarido

POM 2017: Moments (1)

© Joaquim Margarido

ABOM 2017: Moments (3)

© Joaquim Margarido

ABOM 2017: Moments (2)

© Joaquim Margarido

POM 2017: Day 4 Long Distance maps

Joaquim Margarido

POM 2017: Day 3 Middle Distance WRE maps

Joaquim Margarido

POM 2017: Day 2 Long Distance maps

Joaquim Margarido

ABOM 2017: Moments (1)

© Joaquim Margarido

ABOM 2017: Gueorgiou and Haverstad won in Aguiar da Beira

With victories from Thierry Gueorgiou and Maren Jansson Haverstad in the final stage, came to the end the Aguiar da Beira O 'Meeting 2017. After three stages in two days of competition, they were the fastest and most consistent, closing in the best way their presence in Portugal.

The Aguiar da Beira O' Meeting 2017 is over. Organised by Clube de Orientação de Estarreja, the event closed another international orienteering period in our country, calling to Aguiar da Beira nearly 750 competitors from 21 countries. The event's program comprised a Middle Distance and a Sprint in the first day, both scoring for the IOF World Rankings, finishing with a Long Distance in the second day.

The final day of competition was marked by adverse weather conditions, which caused that 55 elite athletes didn't complete their courses. Preparing for what will be his last season in the Elite, Thierry Gueorgiou (Kalevan Rasti), the best male orienteer ever, wanted to keep the best memories from Portugal, fulfilling the 14.4 km of his race with the time of 1:36:13 and being the fastest in the Men Elite class. The current leader of the IOF World Ranking, Olav Lundanes (Paimion Rasti), got the second position, finishing with more 2:04 than the winner. In the Women Elite class, Maren Jansson Haverstad (NTNUI) reached an unexpected victory, spending 1:36:49 for 9.4 km of her course and leaving the second position to the big favorite, Svetlana Mironova (Koovee), who spent more four minutes than the winner.

In the overall standings, Thierry Gueorgiou and Maren Jansson Haverstad were the big winners of Aguiar da Beira O 'Meeting 2017, with Albin Ridefelt (OK Linné) being the second ranked in the Men Elite class, followed by Graham Gristwood (Kalevan Rasti). In the Women Elite class, Inga Dambe (Paimion Rasti) was the second placed, while Fanni Gyurko (Kalevan Rasti) finished in the third place. As for the Portuguese, Luis Barreiro (NADA) was the best ranked in the Men Elite, finishing in the 42nd position while Filipa Rodrigues (ADFA) was our best representative in the Women Elite, closing her participation in the event in the 10th place. Collectively, the Clube de Orientação do Centro achieved the victory.

Results

SIGN Long Distance

Men Elite

1. Thierry Gueorgiou (Kalevan Rasti) 1:36:13 (+ 00:00)

2. Olav Lundanes (Paimion Rasti) 1:38:17 (+ 02:04)

3. Graham Gristwood (Kalevan Rasti) 1:44:01 (+ 07:48)

4. Albin Ridefelt (OK Linné) 1:47:18 (+ 11:05)

5. Oleksandr Kratov (Koovee) 1:47:57 (+ 11:44)

Women Elite

1. Maren Jansson Haverstad (NTNUI) 1:36:49 (+ 00:00)

2. Svetlana Mironova (Koovee) 1:40:45 (+ 03:56)

3. Ulrika Uotila (Koovee) 1:43:08 (+ 06:19)

4. Inga Dambe (Paimion Rasti) 1:47:27 (+ 10:38)

5. Mariia Makarova (MO Yakhroma) 1:49:23 (+ 12:34)

Overall Results

Men Elite

1. Thierry Gueorgiou (Kalevan Rasti) 2932,86 points

2. Albin Ridefelt (OK Linné) 2794,77 points

3. Grahan Gristwood (Kalevan Rasti) 2755,42 points

4. Andreu Blanes (Colivenc) 2733,64 points

5. Milos Nykodym (OK Linné) 2731,20 points

Women Elite

1. Maren Jansson Haverstad (NTNUI) 2788,37 points

2. Inga Dambe (Paimion Rasti) 2768,75 points

3. Fanni Gyurko (Kalevan Rasti) 2744,06 points

4. Mariia Makarova (MO Yakhroma) 2680,12 points

5. Milla Mattila (Helsingin Suunnistajat) 2635,41 points

Complete results and further information at http://abom2017.ori-estarreja.pt/en/.

Joaquim Margarido

ABOM 2017: Hall of Fame

ME 1st place - Thierry Gueorgiou (Kalevan Rasti)

 ME 2nd place - Albin Ridefelt (OK Linné)

 ME 3rd place Graham Gristwood (Kalevan Rasti)

 ME 4th place - Andreu Blanes (Colivenc)

ME 5th place - Mylos Nykodym (OK Linné)

 WE 1st place - Maren Jansson Haverstad (NTNUI)

 WE 2nd place - Inga Dambe (Paimion Rasti)

 WE 3rd place - Fanni Gyurko (Kalevan Rasti)

 WE 4th place - Mariia Makarova (MO Yakhroma)

WE 5th place - Milla Mattila (Helsingin Suunnistajat)

Joaquim Margarido

ABOM 2017: SIGN Long Distance maps

Joaquim Margarido

Svetlana Mironova: "Clean Middle Distance races are a goal for the season"

After some less good results in the Portugal O' Meeting, Svetlana Mironova was able to perform quite well during Aguiar da Beira O' Meeting's first stage, achieving a motivating victory. To the Portuguese Orienteering Blog, she talked about her stay in Portugal and shared the plans for a season which climax will be the World Orienteering Championships.

You've been to Spain for some weeks and you're now in Portugal. Why the Southern Europe for starting the season?

Svetlana Mironova (S. M.) - It's usual to head Spain and Portugal this time of the year. It has been like that for the last few years and the reason why is quite easy to explain. In my city, of course, we've lots of snow that's impossible to train there. On the contrary, I like this here, the weather is good, the maps are great, so I move to the Southern part of Europe for some good trainings, trying to improve my shape. I think that Portugal and Spain are the world's best places to do Orienteering in January and February.

How do you assess the season until now?

S. M. - It's the beginning of the season but the feelings are really nice so far. The results give me the motivation I need to keep on going this way. Even if there's still a lot to work, step by step I'm improving my shape.

You've been at Portugal O' Meeting a few days ago and you're now at Aguiar da Beira, where you got a nice victory today. Could you compare the two events?

S. M. - Well, I didn't finished the forest races at the Portugal O' Meeting. In fact, my focus for the POM was in the Sprint and I was also looking forward to a good result in the Middle Distance WRE. But I changed my plans, so there's not to much to compare. As for the Aguiar da Beira O' Meeting, I was really looking forward to this competition, mainly because the maps and, for me, more interesting terrains. I was really motivated to head Aguiar da Beira for the event and I'm not disappointed. I could find a wonderful map and a challenging course, so I'm happy with my choice.

Did you have the victory in your mind at the start for today's Middle Distance?

S. M. - I try not to think about results but in doing my orienteering as best as I can. Most of us are here to train, not to compete, and I didn't do my best today. I did some mistakes, I lost some time, but it was a difficult course and I could see that I still have lots of things to work. The feelings are good and I really love it.

I've heard that the course was more a type of “short” Long Distance than a “classic” Middle Distance. Do you agree?

S. M. - Well, my time was everything but short (laughs). I believe that, without such mistakes, it was possible to cut at least three minutes to my time. But, in my opinion, it was a really good Middle Distance, with some route choices, some really technical legs and the terrain was exactly a Middle Distance one.

What things do you need to work?

S. M. - This year I'm really focused on improving my skills in the Middle Distance. I did some good results in the Long Distance in the last years, so I decided to challenge myself and try a different kind of orienteering. Clean Middle Distance races are a goal for the season.

Seeing you today on top of the podium and then Thierry Gueorgiou on the same place, I remembered a singular moment of your career. How heavy is the WOC gold medal achieved in the Long Distance three years ago, in Italy?

S. M. - Quite heavy, indeed. I have really good memories from that year. It's still a target every year.

Was 2016 a good season?

S. M. - It was a complicated one, with the European Championships quite early in the season. My preparation was good and I was able to push hard in May for the event. I was in a really good shape and I could achieve two medals, an individual one and the other in the Relay, after good performances of my team mates. I didn't reach everything I wanted in the World Championships – I had some health problems before the WOC -, still I could get the gold in the Relay, even if I didn't get an individual medal. Overall I got three medals along the season and it was, finally, my best season ever. But I'm looking for a better one.

Would you tell me about your goals for the current season?

S. M. - This year, I'm looking for the three World Cup rounds, the World Orienteering Championships and the World Games. The World Games will be a main target in a moment when we didn't have the selection races yet. The competition will be hard, there are many athletes looking forward to it, but my target is to be in Poland and do my best. The World Championships will be also a good challenge, as well as the World Cup rounds. Three different events, three completely different terrains, which will be very demanding from an orienteering point of view. I've never been to Latvia, for example, and I'm looking forward to it. In brief, I'll bet in the Long Distance for the World Championships, I'll try to push hard in the Middle Distance to fix different skills and I'll turn back to the Sprint again because I want to reach the ability to run everything quite well.

“Back" to Aguiar da Beira, are we going to see you winning the Long Distance?

S. M. - I'm here to run and than we'll see. It will depend on my orienteering, of course.

Do you have a word to say to Clube de Orientação de Estarreja, ABOM's organiser?

S. M. - We're having a great event in Aguiar da Beira, with a really good organisation. First of all, the terrains, of course, but everything seems quite well. I'm really happy for being here. Thank you so much.

Joaquim Margarido