World of O News
– I got such a motivation to run the course after watching the race on TV, Eva Jurenikova comments her candidate for “Course of the Year 2012″. The World cup final/Nordic Orienteering Tour (NORT) final is the course of choice for Jurenikova – a race which was held very close to the area for the World Championships in Finland next year.
– As number one I will pick the World cup NORT final (middle) in Finland which I ran as a training, the Czech National Team runner explains.
Jurenikova and the rest of the Czech national team decided to not take part in the NORT this year as they felt the cost was too high compared to what they got back from it. Instead some of the Czech runners had a training camp in Finland the last weekend of NORT.
– I got such a motivation to run the course after watching the race on TV. Again a lot of variation here and the terrain is very nice. It looks promising ahead of WOC2013.
In addition to the NORT final, Jurenikova also highlights all the Swedish championships courses.
– I think all Swedish championships offered very good quality in terms of terrain, maps and course setting. For example the SM middle final was great. Not just the terrain, but also the variation of the course. There were some route choices and changes of speed and navigation, for example many people missed the control number 5 after the long leg, probably by not adjusting the orienteering technique.
More questions for Jurenikova
As part of the preparations for “Course of the Year 2012″, Eva Jurenikova answered some more questions related to 2012 and the future.
Q: In which race or training did you have most fun in 2012 – and why?
Difficult question, I have enjoyed many races and even more trainings. It is often easier to make an interesting course for training as you do not have all the restrictions due to arena, logistic, TV etc. But I will choose a course from WOC2004 long distance women which I ran as a training in October. Beautiful terrain and very good map, not much has changed since 2004. Even the wooden sticks from the controls were still there.
For training, “playing” with OCAD can increase the technical level and “enjoyment factor”. This course called Puzzl-O made by Philippe Adamski was great fun to run.
Q: What is the race you look most forward to in 2013?
WOC long distance. It is my favourite terrain and I believe that the Finnish organizers will get maximum out of the area.
Q: What is the worst course you run in 2012?
World Cup Postfinance middle distance in Switzerland. The course itself was as good as it could get in this area. Perhaps my opinion is influenced by my bad feeling during that day, but what I did not like was the choice of terrain for such a high profile race as a World Cup. Quite a big part of the course was a transport between small pieces of forest.
Q: What is your favourite map (from the top of your head)?
The maps in Sälen (O-Ringen & World cup 2008, Malungs OK 3+3 every year) made by Kenneth Kajsajuntti and Tord Hederskog are my favourites. I can often feel a nice flow in my orienteering there but at the same it is also possible to get lost for 10 minutes if you are not accurate enough.
Q: Did you set any courses in 2012? If so, is it possible to share the best (in your opinion) with World of O’s readers?
I was a course setter for EOC2012 (middle and long) and I work as coach. I appreciate that I can have one of my biggest interests as a part of my work. I often show the courses I set on my Twitter and website.
I know I can still learn so I regularly check Omaps.worldofo.com to see what other people are doing and I am not afraid to ask how some special exercises are made if I do not know. I like to provide a bit of advice. There are some good resources on Internet o-training.net and ocad.com/en.wiki/
When I set courses for a competition I still check the the Swedish course setting book (“Banläggning”) to get the different difficulty levels right. Sometimes it is more demanding to made good courses for youth than for elite.
Q: What are your goals for next year – and how do you change your training and focus in order to reach your goals in 2013?
My main focus will be on WOC (long, middle and relay). I do not set any result goals but think more in terms of areas I want to improve. Some of them are:
- High speed o-intervals
- Direction training
- Some long runs longer (>2h)
- Tempo runs 30-60min (running competitions in “terrain”, not asphalt)
- Strengthen hamstring muscles
I am also looking into possibility of high altitude camp in the beginning of June. I try to make my training as specific as possible but at the same time I feel how my body is struggling to run as much as I would like to (heels, knee…). I try to be really careful.
Staying healthy and training continuously is more important than what exact kind of intervals I choose to run.
Prizes from our Sponsors
Prizes from our Sponsors always makes it more fun! There will be a prize for the first one suggesting the course which ends up becoming “The course of the Year 2012″, and prizes drawn among the ones suggesting and voting. All prizes are transferable to other persons (you don’t have to travel yourself).
MOC 2013
- Prize offered: Hotel + entry package for 2 persons (4 nights accommodation in Hotel Formula B&B + entry fee for MOC 2013+PWT in Matera, value about 600 Euro).
- LET’S ROCK in MOC- Matera 2013! The Mediterranean Open Championship Orienteering 2013 is organized March 15th – March 17th. Great events with world class runners!Read more
Orievents Training Camps
- Prize offered: Training package with accommodation for 2 persons (6 trainings + 3 days of accommodation in half board at Castelo de Vide Hotel)
- Orievents / GD4C’s Training Camps – Alto Alentejo – are an excellent training opportunity for Orienteering of good quality during the winter. The TC will have the technical support of Eva Jurenikova. Start the new season in training camps in Alto Alentejo, Portugal! Read more
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Bubo Cup 2013
- Prize offered: “Family” entry package (Entry for 4 persons for complete Bubo cup, transferable to other people)
- Bubo cup is a new 5 Day orienteering event in Slovenia – with the same quality you are used to from OOCup. The 5 day event taking place from 19th to 23rd of July 2013 will take you through some great orienteering areas in the western part of Slovenia – from Karst terrain above the world famous Postojna cave to the Trnovski gozd plateau (which was the venue of unforgetably tough OOCup 2011). The venue of the mid stage will be Vipava, an old little town in Vipava valley. Read more
Fjord-o Arctic Midnattsolgaloppen 2013
- Prize offered: Entry package for 2 persons (Entry for 2 persons for complete Fjord-O Arctic week)
- Fjord-o Arctic Midnattsolgaloppen is the biggest and most popular event which is regularly organized north of the polar circle. Fjord-o is known for its mix of interesting orienteering with spectacular nature between fjords and mountains. Fjord-o 2013 is organized from June 29th until July 3st 2013. This year it will take place in the Harstad-region. Read more
Nice Holidays 2013
- Prize offered: 2 packages – each consisting of entry fee + accommodation for 2 persons (Entry fee + accommodation in campsite for 2 persons)
- Nice holidays are traditional 2-days, 3-stages orienteering competition organised by TJ Turnov orienteering club in beautiful sandstone terrains of Bohemian Paradise since 1992. Come to the Czech Republic and enjoy challenging middle distance, tricky sprint and tough long distance in hilly sandstone terrain. We are looking forward to seeing you from 23rd to 25th August 2013 in Turnov, Czech Republic. The competition has a limit of competitors set by natural park management usually to max 1000 runners. This year it was sold out in two months. Read more
For the record: All sponsor gifts/income related to “The Best Course of 2012″ goes directly to the WorldofO.com readers.
