Nina Hoffmann is one of the
strongest links of the MTB orienteering's “family”. Relaxed and
uncomplicated, her attitude is welcomed by all and her example is an
asset in a world that's not just about winning medals. Invited by the
Portuguese Orienteering Blog to share some opinions, she gives to
know herself in three important aspects: The athlete, the woman and
the mother!
The first question is always the
easiest. Would you like, in brief, to present yourself?
Nina Hoffmann (N. H.) - My name
is Nina Hoffmann. I'm born and raced in Denmark, did live on Guernsey
for three years in my early twenties, but I'm back living in Denmark
again. I'm the mother of three amazing kids aged 6, 9 and 11. I work
full time as a health consultant for the Municipality and my
specialty is helping out people with diabetes 2. I love to travel,
enjoy the nature, good healthy food, meet people and spend time with
those dear to me. I see myself as a positive person with a positive
view on life, being grateful for all the good I have.
How did you meet MTB Orienteering?
N. H. - I was born in to the
world of orienteering. I did Foot-O on and off my whole life, I've
been on the national team in Biathlon orienteering and I started MTBO
back in late 2008, because I had started riding some MTB as training
and the sport MTBO was starting to grow in Denmark (and Denmark was
prepared to host the European Championships in 2009). I thought it
could be funny to try it out and I've been hooked on it ever since.
What do you see in MTB Orienteering
that makes it so special?
N. H. - For me, Orienteering is
special and I love all aspects of it. What makes the MTBO special to
me, in particular, is the “MTBO Family”.
Your first presence in the World MTB
Orienteering Championships was in 2009, in Israel. Do you still
remember the heat? What memories do you keep from that week in Ben
Shemen?
N. H. - I remember Israel quite
well, first of all for my difficulties of packing and unpacking a
bike on my own (laughs), But also the very different terrain and
getting stopped at customs twice when leaving the country. I was the
only member of the team that had won the bronze medal at the Relay at
the EMTBOC in Denmark, so my expectations were to get some
experience. I also remember loving being off to races as a team and
I've loved it ever since. We also had time to relax and see some of
the sights, which I value when attending the championships/races.
You missed Portugal in 2010 but,
after that, it was possible to see you in all WMTBOC's editions,
reaching some good results, namely the silver in the Relay (2013) and
the bronze in the Middle Distance (2012). Would you like to mention
the two or three best memories of your career so far? And the worst?
N. H. - Winning the bronze medal
on the Middle Distance in 2012 was very surprising and of course a
really nice memory. But, for me, the best memories are the results
we've made as a team in the Relays - my first medal at the EMTBOC in
Denmark in 2009 and getting the silver in 2013 with Ann-Dorthe
Lisbygd and Camilla Soegaard. Also riding the first leg in Portugal
and getting the bronze at the EMTBOC 2015 is a very special memory to
me, first of all because I wasn't sure I could ride because of my
crash at the start of the week and, then, to come in first on the
first leg was surprising. To be on a team with Camilla Soegaard and
Caecilie Christoffersen, but also to be a part of and having the
opportunity to follow their progression in MTBO are an absolute joy
and honour for me. The worst memory must be the Relay in Italy,
actually not so much because of the disqualification (that can happen
to anyone), but because some of the people on the team didn't handle
it in a respectful way, if you ask me.
How do you rate the current season?
N. H. - Loved being back in
Portugal and racing knowing that “the orange machine” had things
under control. I've never been to Lithuania before, but I was
pleasantly surprised and I'm looking forward to going there next
year. On the other hand, I was very disappointed with the
organisations of the races in France for several reasons, but
hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised next year.
Did you achieve the results that
you've been expected?
N. H. - My expectations this
year were mainly on the Relay and I'm somewhat disappointed, as we
were going for a medal. But there were many strong teams and the luck
didn't shine on our way. So we just have to come back stronger next
year. I'm not too much disappointed with [my positions in] the [World
Cup overall and IOF World] ranking, but disappointed that I didn't
have more “clean” races. Unfortunately I haven't been able to do
as much orienteering training as I wanted this season, so I just have
to focus for the next season. But, with that said, it's nice to see
that I can still do a top 10 after a clean race in the Sprint at the
WMTBOC this year.
Between 2007 and 2011, the national
anthem of Denmark was played in the World Championships for eight
times. The Rikke Kornvig's gold in the Long Distance and the Men
Relay's victory, in Vicenza, Italy, were the last titles achieved by
the Danes. How do you see the MTB Orienteering's present moment in
your country?
N. H. - The Danish team is quite
young, but with loads of potential. I'm sure the national Anthem
will play again.
How do you see the present moment of
MTB Orienteering? If you had the power, would you change something?
N. H. - MTBO is still a rather
small sport. If we want more participants, we have to make it more like a Family sport. If me and my children are attending a
Foot-O event in Denmark, there's lots of activities for the kids - a
marked course, child care, etc., but you won't find that at MTBO in
Denmark. Why do not put up some obstacles for the kids to practice
getting better on the bike, a marked route for them to ride and some
child care, so the parents can go riding too? In Denmark we started
doing weekend training camps for the youth (like there's been in
Foot-O for years). I like that “The Camp” we have in Denmark and
Sweden to start the MTBO season has started to have kids courses, but
I think we can do even more. And this camp is for people already
doing MTBO in some way. Why not to have a summer camp for families in
general or those doing Foot-O, a camp for them to try out MTBO,
technical training on the bike, social events, etc.?
What means, from a personal point a
view, to be MTB Orienteer, Woman and Mother?
N. H. - For me, I'm just me. I
wouldn't be one without the other. I find joy in all the aspects and
they make me who I am.
How difficult is to conciliate the
family life with MTB Orienteering?
N. H. - It's only as difficult
as you make it. Of course you have to compromise, but I think one
would have to, any way. I sometimes wish I could work less and train
more, but that's not an option at the moment, so I just have to train
smarter. I also wish I had more time with the kids, but then I just
make sure to have quality time with them, be present in the moment. I
think the key word is focus, focus on what you're doing. When home
I'm most of all mother and when I'm out racing I'm most of all a
woman doing MTBO.
Do you have plans for the next
season? Are you already feeling some good vibes about returning to
France and Lithuania, this time for the European and the World
Championships?
N. H. -
I'm planning on being a part of the national team next year,
but also looking into the possibilities of doing some of the
individual races in Masters. I'm, as I said before, not impressed
with the French organisation this year and I thoroughly hope that
they will read the feedback and improve on all the issues that were
needed to reach the expected standards for a European Championships.
I'm hoping to take advantage of my connection to Finland and get some
O-technical trainings there as I think that would be relevant for
Lithuania and would give me some good competition training, as
Finland has a lot of very strong female athletes.
Have you some goals already designed
for the next season?
N. H. - Those will be set when
the National team meet up in november. Personally, I plan on more
training with the map and going for more clean races.
Would you like to share the biggest
wish for the future?
N. H. - To grow old and spend
time doing what I love and with those who give me joy, make me laugh,
believe in me and love me for who I am.
Joaquim Margarido
