The Orienteering Achievement of 2016 - Men: Vote for your candidate!

It is great for the sport to see excellent nominations for athletes from nations which are traditionally not on top of the result lists in international orienteering, like Belarus, Canada, Moldova and New Zealand. All these athletes have done exceptional orienteering achievements in 2016 – along with the nominated athletes from the more established top nations in orienteering Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Russia. Let's take a look on the stories of the nominees to the Orienteering Achievement of 2016 – Men.

Jerker Lysell

Nominated for
Fantastic WOC Sprint gold medal on home ground in Sweden after spending more of the preparations running in a swimming pool than running sprint orienteering.

Story
Jerker Lysell has been one of the best sprint orienteers in the world for several seasons, even if he has been more injured and ill than injury free. When he won the WOC Sprint bronze medal in Scotland last year after barely being able to run the weeks before, he showed that he can do wonders with minimal specific preparations. This year was again a year with many injuries, but in 2016 the fast Swede had at least been able to run in the forest from late spring. As he said himself, the race was perfect. He managed to get the most out of physical and mental capacity when it most mattered, even if there must have been some uncertainty because of the long break from running and competing. Next year Lysell wants to be on top also in the most important races in forest orienteering. Who knows what is possible for this remarkable runner if he manages to keep injury free this winter?

Joey Hadorn

Nominated for
Dominated the Junior World Orienteering Championships on home ground with three out of four gold medals and one silver! Incredible running speed combined with great orienteering

Story
Hadorn has been known as an exceptionally good runner and a good orienteer. At JWOC in Switzerland he had the highest speed of all athletes with a big margin - but he also did goo technical performances in every race, making choices where he could use his strengths all the way. To use the words of Swedish silver medalist from JWOC long in Norway in 2015, Simon Hector, who was clearly beaten by Hadorn in all races in 2016; - We all knew that he was a good runner, but in those races he had really good technical performances. Really good mental strength to run so well in so many races in a row. I felt like a background actor during that week!

Matthias Kyburz

Nominated for
From entering the world orienteering elite as sprint specialist in 2011 to master of the most technical orienteering discipline in 2016: Gold at both the World Orienteering Championships and European Championships in middle, his first individual championships medals in forest disciplines! Also overall World Cup victory, and several other WOC and EOC medals

Story
Matthias Kyburz entered the world orienteering elite in his first senior year with a big bang with victory in the first sprint competition in the 2011 World Cup. From being a sprint specialist in the beginning, he soon started to use his incredible physical abilities to also win long distance races. 2016 was not the first time he won middle distance races on top level, but this time the Swiss won the two most important middle distance races of the year - the EOC and WOC middle distance. He managed to keep a very high performance level during all of the season and in all disciplines - also giving him a clear overall World Cup victory with victories in all disciplines including EOC gold medals in middle and sprint and WOC gold medal in middle!

Tim Robertson

Nominated for
First year senior taking best ever WOC result for a man from New Zealand at WOC sprint, three times Top 10 in the World Cup Sprint, topping it with a 4th place at the World Cup final Sprint.

Story
Halfway through the WOC Middle Distance in 2015 Tim Robertson had a big fall and crawled out of the forest with a dislocated shoulder. He got surgery back in New Zealand in November with the support from orienteers all over the world, and came back to Europe after a long recovery period. His best World Cup results before the 2016 season was a 20th place - in 2016 he was three times in the Top 10: 5th in the World Cup Sprint in Poland, 7th at the European Championships Sprint in Czech Republic, 13th at the WOC Sprint in Sweden and 4th in the World Cup final Sprint in Switzerland. That’s the story of patience, persistance and determination - and of a runner for whom the sky is the limit in the years to come....

Olav Lundanes

Nominated for
The dominant forest orienteer at the World Orienteering Championships with two gold and one silver medal - only some meters in dark green forest from sweeping the table and taking all three forest gold medals. Best championships ever!

Story
Olav Lundanes has been one of the absolute top athletes in forest orienteering since his WOC gold medal in Trondheim in 2010, but never managed to take three medals in a championships before. This time he had excellent performance in all three disciplines, giving him his best championships ever with three medals; gold in long, silver in middle and finally playing a big part in Norway's relay win. An amazing athlete with amazing results.

Norwegian WOC Team

Nominated for
Carl Godager Kaas, Olav Lundanes and Magne Dæhlie took Norway's mens' first WOC gold medal since Japan in 2005 after a impressive performance - running alone in the lead from the second control of the first leg.

Story
The Norwegian men have worked hard to take back the relay throne. After victories in 2004 and 2005, it took 11 long years without victory before Norway was again on top in 2016. The victory was a power demonstration by Norway: Carl Godager Kaas getting a gap early on the first leg, Olav Lundanes running alone in front on the second leg without being caught - and finally Magne Dæhlie letting the other teams get closer for a while - but never close enough. Often the last 10 years Norway has had a strong enough team to win on paper - but relay is all about team performance, and there the Norwegian men excelled this year.

Roman Ciobanu

Nominated for
9th place at the World University Championships sprint is the first Top 10 result in the history of Moldovian orienteering - surprising all organizers, participants and own federation, improving his best previous result, the 55th place in the middle WUOC2014.

Story
Great orienteering achievments is not only about gold medals at the World Orienteering Championships. For a Moldovian orienteer who is not even able to travel to the World Orienteering Championships due to financial reasons, a 9th place at the World Orienteering University Championships is a great personal achievement, and a great achievement for his country. Later he has set another best result for Moldova winning East European Orienteering Championship (Balkan Championship) for the first time in Moldovian men’s elite history.

The annual poll to find the best Orienteering Achievements of the year is organized by the major source for international orienteering news on the Internet – World of O. You can vote for the Orienteering Achievement of 2016 – Men here or by clicking on the image below. 

[Press Release: Orienteering Achievement of 2016 / Jan Kocbach]

Two or three things I know about it...

1. Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the University of Valencia, through the Chair Divina Pastora of Adapted Sport, promoted a three-day journey where the Trail Orienteering was the main subject. Pointed to teachers of sports physical activities, teachers of physical education, sports technicians related to the natural environment, specialists, persons particularly interested in Trail orienteering, interested in the training of trainers, the Clinic was held on the 2nd and 3rd December having a total of 44 participants. To prepare the participants to design, plan and organize a TrailO event, such was the goal of the Clinic, which had in Joaquim Margarido, assisted by Niclas Gil Nieminen, the responsible for the theoretical and practical panels. In addition to the Clinic, there was also a colloquium under the motto “Inclusive vocation: physical activity and sport in the University", on the 1st December and, in the following day, a workshop of initiation to the TrailO, whose proposal was to disclose to the 118 participants the basic principles and goals of the preparation and development of a TrailO event.

2. To recognize the notation of Orienteering maps, to train your memory, to develop the visual perception, attention and reaction, to improve your concentration levels and to create spacial imagination. All of it at home or in a short break during a competition or a training camp, or while travelling on bus, train, car, ferry or even airplane. Such is the Orient-games' offer when Christmas is approaching. There are four games translated to English: Quartet, Memory, Double and a cardboard game called “Orienteering”. “Quartet” is a legendary game that can be interesting for children as well as for adults. Children get an utterly fascinating process of perceiving the notation of orienteering maps and adults can check their knowledge. “Double” is a fast fun game that develops visual perception, attention and reaction. Undoubtedly suitable for all ages, is recommended for children from 6 years old. “Memory” is a fascinating search for the pair of cards, which promotes the development of concentration and visual memory. The game is suitable for all ages, as the children can play with adults as equals, having a great chance to win. Finally, “Orienteering” is a game for the whole family. Translated in six languages, it's suitable for both athletes and those who are simply interested in Orienteering. The game is presented in the versions “classic”, “night orienteering”, “sprint” and “hunt for the KP”. By playing “Orienteering”, you can also judge distances by planning it for the other participants. Several playing fields allow you to create a huge number of different variants of the terrain and distances. Interested in knowing some more? Please find extra information at http://www.orient-games.ru/english or send a letter to newskill@mail.ru.

3. The organization of a World Orienteering Championships (WOC) has grown significantly over the past years. The requirements and expectations of national teams, athletes, TV, on-line and print media, spectators, sponsors and partners, have raised the standards for quality at the most prestigious of orienteering events. This has increased the requirements not only on the organizing committee, but also upon the IOFs event advising and controlling resources. Traditionally, a WOC has had an appointed Senior Event Advisor (SEA) responsible for advising on and controlling all aspects of the event. As organizational complexity has grew, the appointed SEA became a part-time professional position and an Assistant SEA role was added to control certain aspects. But with the introduction of annual live TV productions, a constantly higher IT content and increased commercialization there is a need to further strengthen the quality controlling organization. The SEA role has evolved into a Project Management role, which involves coordination with the Event Director and the local organizer, and management of an event advising and controlling team. A general description of the team can be found here: New WOC Event Advising structure. As the current WOC SEA, Jørn Sundby, will be taking on the role of event advising focused on TV and Arena aspects, the IOF is now looking for a new Senior Event Adviser/Project Manager for the World Orienteering Championships. The position is part-time and preferably on a contract basis. A description of the SEA/Project Manager position can be found here: Work description WOC SEA/Project manager. Questions about the position can be answered by IOF CEO Tom Hollowell. If you are interested in applying for this role, show interest by mailing a brief personal letter and CV to tom.hollowell@orienteering.org by Sunday December 18, 2016.

Joaquim Margarido

Orienteering Achievement of 2016: Vote now!

16 athletes from 10 countries are nominated for the annual poll to find the most impressive achievements in international orienteering. The poll is organized by World of O – the major internet presence for international orienteering news. Voting is open until December 12th.

Winning a Gold medal at the World Championships is always a great achievement – but sometimes winning a Bronze medal can be an even bigger achievement – based on what your starting point was. The stories behind the medals and the great achievements is what makes the sport truly fascinating! In “The Orienteering Achievement of the Year” these stories are highlighted – to make it possible to get a background for the amazing achievements.

It is great for the sport to see excellent nominations for athletes from nations which are traditionally not on top of the result lists in international orienteering, like Belarus, Canada, Moldova and New Zealand. All these athletes have done exceptional orienteering achievements in 2016 - along with the nominated athletes from the more established top nations in orienteering Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Russia.

Voting is open from December 7th until December 12th using the following links:

  The Orienteering Achievement of 2016 - Men

  The Orienteering Achievement of 2016 - Women

In the women's class Maja Alm (Denmark), Anastasia Denisova (Belarus), Tove Alexandersson (Sweden), Simona Aebersold (Switzerland), Emily Kemp (Canada), Natalia Gemperle (Russia), Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg (Norway) and the Russian and Finnish relay teams are nominated. In the men's class Jerker Lysell (Sweden), Joey Hadorn (Switzerland), Matthias Kyburz (Switzerland), Tim Robertson (New Zealand), Olav Lundanes (Norway), Roman Ciobanu (Moldova) and the Norwegian relay team are nominated.

The international sponsors for the Orienteering Achievement of 2016 are Five + Five days of Sicily (Italy), Scottish 6 Days (Scotland), Durmitor Orienteering Challenge (Montenegro), Aguiar da Beira “O” Meeting (Portugal), Antalya Orienteering Festival (Turkey), OOCup (Slovenia), Wawel Cup (Poland), Lipica Open (Slovenia) and Danish Spring (Denmark). Prizes valued to more than 5000 Euro are drawn among lucky voters & the ones suggesting nominations.

More info: http://poll.worldofo.com/2016/

[Press Release: Orienteering Achievement of 2016 / Jan Kocbach]

Ramune Arlauskiene: "Only the weak ones don't succeed"

The decision was taken some years ago, but for several reasons she has put off the final farewell moment. But this year was definitely the last. At the age of 43, the Lithuanian Ramune Arlauskiene raced the last big event of a long career in Portugal last July. This was the starting point of a conversation covering more than 20 years of bikes and events, with many joyful times and some disappointments too.

After the Lithuanian World Cup round, you put an ending to your Elite career. Why did you decide it and how difficult was it to take the decision?

Ramune Arlauskiene (R. A.) - I took the decision to stop some years ago, but for several reasons I've been putting it off. But this year was definitely the last. My motivation has gone, because I'm not interested in the top-10 and winning a medal seems an impossible task. And there’s a new generation now in the Lithuanian team, so I could end my career calmly. And honestly, I feel too lazy to be suffering badly on the courses.

What part of your life has been Orienteering? And what about the other part?

R. A. - Orienteering is really important in my life, but family holds the first place in the priorities. I have two sons who, unfortunately, aren't orienteers. One plays football and the other used to play rugby. They also do snowboard crossing (SBX) and one of them competed in the Lillehammer Olympic Youth Games. My husband was also an orienteer but at the moment he is focusing more on snowboarding. It’s wholly down to him that I have managed to compete in sport so much and could achieve such good results.

How hard is the life of an Elite MTB orienteer?

R. A. - I can't say that it's hard. Many people manage to combine their work and sport quite effectively. It's easy, because you don't even need to train in specific conditions. You start doing exercise instantly on leaving home.

Your career is quite impressive as there aren't too many orienteers that, like you, have been competing in all the World Championships so far. What does it mean to you?

R. A. - I'm not sure, it's just my way of life. I used to divide my life into steps, from one World Championship to the next one. Besides, I rarely think that a Championship will be the one I win. I just try to prove something every time, like to take over the world.

Can you choose the two or three best moments along your career?

R. A. - Some of the most memorable moments were the victories in the European Championships in 2008. Because the Championships were held in Lithuania, I was even happier. Of course, my biggest achievement was the bronze medal in the World Championships, in 2005, which was the first medal for Lithuania in MTBO.

And what about the worst moment?

R. A. - During my MTBO career I didn't have any really bad moments. When I started doing MTBO, I was already mature as an athlete. If something went wrong, I knew and accepted all the reasons why it had happened. I've been able to evaluate objectively the exact situation and be satisfied, even without a good result. For example, in my Ski-O career I had big disappointments, when it seemed like I had given everything I had but I still didn't get what I had hoped for. It was like: “Only the weak ones don't succeed.”

Apart from being 14 years older than before, what are the main differences between Ramune Arlauskiene in 2002, in Fontainebleau, and Ramune Arlauskiene in 2016, biking the last race of the season?

R. A. - During these years I didn't really change but I managed to become a better rider. The first World Championships that we attended, in France, were more to satisfy our curiosity than with any expectations for sporting achievements. We managed to learn lots about new equipment, starting from what bikes cyclists prefer and how to take care of them, then who the leaders are in this discipline, and so on. For me, MTBO was at first only like a new kind of training to prepare for the Ski-O season. Step by step, MTBO became my main discipline. During the last 10 years I have always tried to fight for the top positions. Some years ago I used to be stronger physically but now it’s the opposite, I navigate better than I ride.

Along these years is there an athlete that you would point as “the special one”, that was seen by you as an idol or a motivation?

R. A. - I can't say exactly the main one. To me, Nerijus Šulčys (SkiO, Lithuania) always seemed like a skilled athlete. And I also admire Michaela Gigon and Ingrid Stengard.

We all see how MTB Orienteering in Lithuania has improved. The last World Cup round is a good example and we'll have the World Championships, in Vilnius, next year. How do you evaluate this evolution along the years?

R. A. - I was one of the organisers of this World Cup in Lithuania. If you took a look from the backstage, it didn't seem so good. However the final result was really good. I believe that all the effort we put in paid off and set a really good example. I do think, though, that both the World Championships and the World Cup should be seen not only as high-standard competitions, but also as a festival for everyone.

Do you have plans for the future? Will it be possible to see you doing MTB orienteering?

R. A. - Next year I'll be part of the World Championships' organizing team. About the competition, I plan to fight for the Lithuanian Champion title and you might see me in the MTBO Plzen 5 days.

If you had the chance to go back twenty years in your Orienteering life, would you do anything differently?

R. A. - Maybe not... I believe that MTBO would be in my life, anyway. But maybe I would have liked to try riding downhill. About the orienteering training, I wish I could have avoided thoughts like ‘this won't help me, anyway’, and had completed everything 100 per cent. Besides, I think that psychological preparation is also necessary in the training process.

One final question, just to ask you to leave a couple of words to the MTB Orienteering family.

R. A. - Seek to win against the course, not against the others. Come to the right conclusions after each mistake. Dare to win 'here and now'. See you all next year at the World Championships in Vilnius.

Joaquim Margarido

 

Jerker Lysell: "I’ll focus on the forest"

After a preparation conditioned by injuries, to be able to participate in the World Orienteering Championship, in his own country, was already a victory. But Jerker Lysell went further. Turning the weaknesses into strengths, he was the fastest among the fastest, reaching a glorious gold in the Sprint final. This winning is the main focus of an interview where the Swedish speaks also about himself, his dreams and ambitions.

I would start by asking you to introduce yourself.

Jerker Lysell (J. L.) - My name is Jerker Lysell and I was born in 1989 in Bollnäs, centre of Sweden. Right now I’m studying building engineering in Norrköping. Sports and exercise are my hobbies. I like doing crazy things and hate sitting still.

How did you meet Orienteering? Was it love at first sight?

J. L. - I was born into orienteering and I didn’t have much choice. My father dragged me out against my will… and sometimes with my will. I believe it’s a parent duty to do that sometimes!

In your way to the Elite was there a particular moment when you said to yourself: “That's it, Orienteering is my sport for life”?

J. L. - When I won O-Ringen 2000, at the age of 11, I decided to become the best. I believe on it since then. Although, I’ve been realizing that it’s much more difficult than I thought.

What are your most valuable skills?

J. L. - The will to succeed, never give up and get the maximum of my ability.

One year ago you were starting the preparation for the season and now we introduce you as the new World Champion of the Sprint distance. Could you tell me about the goals you set in the beginning of the season and the way you prepared the WOC in Strömstad?

J. L. - I always have had the goal of becoming a more all-round runner and this year, as many years, the goal was to run more than just running the sprint at World Champs. But on the New Year’s Eve I got a rupture in the calf. This was followed up by flu, a stomach surgery, tendinitis and further problems with my calves. This made my focus on taking further steps in my development came to a stop and I had to focus on becoming whole again. The summer became a race against the watch, and I trained most of the time in the forest because of my calves. One month before the World Championships, I finally could train for the Sprint.

Was running home an extra motivation?

J. L. - I didn’t think I would be able to participate at the World Championships until I stood on the starting line, so I never thought that much about it. Even more that would be sad if I couldn’t start since you probably only get one or two chances to experience it in your career.

Would you tell me about your golden race?

J. L. - When I crossed the finish line I thought that if I didn’t win that day I would never win. The feeling was that my race was perfect. I had got a perfect execution of the race and physically I felt strong. But I knew I started earlier than the ”best” and that I could be caught any second. I actually thought that I would be beaten by Kyburz when the speaker said he had contact just before the finish, but my last part was quite fast so I got away this time!

Before the race, I was focused on my task and the plan was to take one control at a time and run as fast as I could, but still not make any hasty choices. I didn’t think too much of the crowd but it was very nice with all those Swedish flags around the course.

Before the WOC gold in Strömstad, you were able to get the silver medal in the European Championships 2014, in Portugal, and the bronze in the World Championships 2015, in the United Kingdom. Three great achievements, all of them in the Sprint distance. At the age of 27, is now the right time to start winning also in the forest disciplines?

J. L. - My goal is, as I said before, improving also in the forest distances but the injuries in the previous years made it more difficult. But after this year's success in the sprint, I’ll put aside my thoughts on the Sprint and I’ll focus on the forest. May I just be injury-free, it will certainly go well.

Did you already start preparing 2017? Would you like to share your goals for the next season?

J. L. - I’m always preparing the future and the goal is to run well in forest.

What are your plans for the winter season? Are we going to see you in Portugal?

J. L. - My winter training has started in the worst possible way. I’m again injured and it's the same problem as before with the calf. But my goal is to participate at the Portugal O’ Meeting this year.

Before finishing the Interview, I still have to ask you a comment about the subject of all talks last days: Thierry Gueorgiou as the new coach of the Swedish Team!

J. L. - It will be very interesting to see how he will contribute and I think he will do a great job.

Joaquim Margarido