Lauri Sild: – Had to perform many difficult tasks at the same time

Estonian Lauri Sild picks the most technical and challenging course he ran this year as his candidate for “Course of the Year 2015″ – the World Cup middle distance in Munkedal. – It was tricky orienteering all the way, offering fine orienteering in very detailed terrain, Sild comments.

Read on for a long interview with Lauri Sild. This interview is part of the “Course of the Year 2015″ contest organized by World of O. In the introduction article you can suggest YOUR favourite course for “Course of the Year 2015″ – there are prizes to be won worth more than 2500 Euro.

Q: What was the best course you run in 2015 – and why?

My pick would be the World Cup middle distance in Munkedal, it was the most technical and challenging course I ran this year. It was tricky orienteering all the way, offering fine orienteering in very detailed terrain and at the same time, forcing to plan ahead at least a bit to make good route choices. Especially at a World Cup, being fast and precise puts a runner under a lot of pressure and in this quite heavy terrain, all of the previous stated is exactly what made the competition demanding – one had to perform many difficult tasks at the same time. I’m really looking forward to what WOC 2016 has to offer!

World Cup 2015 Munkedal W21

» See map in omaps.worldofo.com

Q: What was the most interesting orienteering terrain you run in 2015 – and why?

Well, in terms of interesting as „exotic“, the choice is easy – Yeongju! The Military World Games in South Korea was something almost completely new for me. Since allegedly it was the first forest orienteering map in the Republic of Korea, I guess it was new for everybody! The keywords were definitely „thorns“ and „route choices“, out of which the latter made the orienteering very interesting (map below)! Though thorns were one of the reasons that made the right route choices so important, there was no escaping them for anybody. They actually offered a totally different task, for which I adapted an orienteering gaiter on my forearm, to make the thorn-fighting more effective. I think it worked…

But, to determine which terrain was the most interesting orienteering-wise, I think I have to go with the WOC long distance venue: Glen Affric. If I’ll remember just one terrain from 2015, it would be this one. I think the terrain lived up to its hype, the experience was fantastic! It’s an overall great playground for orienteering, if you want a great terrain, you just can’t go wrong with this one. I think it’s quite obvious that it fits best for long distances, especially since there’s almost endless possibilities for great legs (and courses). What makes it really enjoyable, is the nature – that Scottish Highland touch and that genuine Caledonian Forest, together they really deliver… Bonny Scotland!

World Champs 2015 Long Men

» See map in omaps.worldofo.com

Q: Usually the courses in interesting terrains are the ones you remember. But can you remember a very good course you ran in “boring” terrain this year?

Luckily there haven’t been very many boring terrains this year… I can think of a terrain that perhaps wasn’t exactly „boring“, but at least it was uninviting. Despite the fact that the forest was unpleasant and the terrain wasn’t of the highest quality, I think the course was a good one. Kudos! See map below and GPS-tracking here.

Q: What is the worst course you ran in 2015?

I’m glad to say that I didn’t run on any course this year, that is worthy of this title! A big “cheers!” to all course setters for their effort!

Q: What is the most interesting course you ran (or saw) in your own home country in 2015?

Although I did not take part in Euromeeting’s long distance, that course looked very challenging. Already the terrain itself offers a great platform for a good course and I think the course setter has used It wisely. Looks like there is plenty of variability in orienteering, i.e. both, fine and rough orienteering techniques are needed. It offers some considerable route choices, at least as much as Estonian terrains do and I think the running speed should vary a lot throughout the course as well. All aspects of a great course, looks like something for „fighters“!

Map: Euromeeting Forest Races: On the way to WOC 2017

» See map in omaps.worldofo.com

Q: Did you set any courses in 2015? If so, is it possible to share the best (in your opinion) with World of O’s readers?

I wasn’t much of a course-setter this year, just two small public events. First, I was a co-course setter for a small sprint competition in the spring (in my hometown; map below).

Second, I planned courses for one of my home club’s weekly O-meet’s (map below).

I also planned courses for one of the official WOC 2017 training maps, come and see for yourselves!

WOC camp

» See map in omaps.worldofo.com

Q: What is the most interesting routechoice leg you remember from 2015?

What I remember best, is probably the WOC long distance long leg 12-13. I managed to take the best route, but I had to check thoroughly before I took it. It was interesting to see that quite a few big names didn’t take the optimal route, even the three leaders in the 12th control didn’t take the best one, they were placed respectively 3rd, 5th and 6th after this leg. Also, when looking at the analysis, you can see how many different routes were taken by the runners.

Q: Can you remember a routechoice leg in 2015 where you really failed?

I can’t remember any colossal failures, but the one that haunts me, is again from WOC long distance. The route choice to the 9th control is the one technical flop I am displeased about in my race there. I climbed a bit and went along the slope, which was slow and I should have known that. It was so obvious to take the road, then along the ditch and then straight up to the control… I dropped 8 positions on that leg and maybe 4 positions in total rankings.

Q: Thanks a lot Lauri – and good luck with the upcoming season preparations!

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 2015″, and prizes drawn among the ones suggesting and voting. All prizes are transferable to other persons (you don’t have to travel yourself).

Event sponsor: Antalya Orienteering Festival 2016 – 29th October – 5th November

• Prize offered: One big Antalya O-Meeting package consisting of 2 complete Antalya Orienteering Festival packages: Accommodation + Entry for all 5 races + All Transfers + The program consisting of presentations held by Håkan Carlsson. Value about 495 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
• Antalya Orienteering Festival will be held for the 2nd time in Side by the Mediterranean coast of Antalya, Turkey. We provide 5 different terrains and challenging courses, good maps and good weather for orienteering holiday. Swedish National Team Head Coach Håkan Carlsson will join us for analysis and lectures about Sports psychology & Mental training. See more at www.antalyaofest.com

Event sponsor: Fjord-O 2016 – 13th – 17th July

• Prize offered: 3 packages – each for 2 persons – for the full Fjord-O 2016 consisting of entry for 4 races in beautiful terrain with fjord view.  Value about 450 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
• The race courses are set among the most spectacular sceneries in «Fjord Norway», with the slogan «with a view to the fjord». Fjord-O Vest is 4 days of competitions allowing time for you to explore the beautiful nature in this area during your holiday. Stryn and Ålesund have many exciting attractions such as the Jugend town of Ålesund, the Geiranger Fjord, a hike up the longest uphill track in Norway to the Skåla summit at 1849 above the sea level or a visit to the famous Briksdal Glacier. See more at fjord-o.no.

Event sponsor: Portugal “O” Meeting 2016 – February 5th-9th 2016

• Prize offered: 4 packages – each for 2 persons – transferable to other person. Consisting of entry to complete 4 day Portugal “O” Meeting 2016 – 4 official races + 1 Urban Night (Middle, Urban Nigth, Middle, Long-WRE, Long). Value about 390 EUR.
• POM is the world’s biggest winter time orienteering event, and is considered by many as the official opening of the competition season for its high quality organization and for receiving the top runners of the world. We expect to have 2000+ runners – last year POM had 2300 runners! Besides new maps, challenging terrains and courses you’ll be able to experience the rich gastronomy, as the famous cheese, olive oil and honey (considered among the best in the world). Have a chance to enjoy the friendship of locals and explore the beautiful and untouched nature. The WRE day will be the long distance on 8th Feb.More at  http://www.pom.pt.

Event sponsor: Slovak Karst Cup 2016. 21st-24th July 2016

• Prize offered: 3 packages for 2 people – each consisting of: entry for 4 competitions (2xmiddle, 2x shortened long), accommodation for 4 nights in camping, 3 training maps, Event T-shirts and headtube.
  Value about  360  Euro, transferable to other person(s).
• Slovak Karst Cup is the favorite multiday o-event in Slovakia. It is usually organized in karst terrains of Silická planina (plateau) or Plesivecka planina (plateau), which are located in National park Slovenský kras. You can find many depressions, mixed forest, semiopen or open areas there. And also lots of natural and historical attractions in surroundings after competition. For Karst Cup 2016 we have chosen one of the most attractive terrains, which where used partly for JWOC 2012 (open or semiopen areas of Silická planina) and fully for WUOC 2006 (forest area of Plešivecká planina). The competition can be a very good opportunity for training for WUOC 2016 participiants. More at http://www.tuke.sk/obeh/karst

Event sponsor: SIVEN MOC 2016 – March 4th – March 10th 2016

• Prize offered: Full package for 1 person consisting in package for SIVEN MOC camp + entry fee for SIVEN MOC Championship in Bulgaria – March 2016. The package includes 7 trainings as shown on the program, 3 competitions of MOC Championship, 8 nights accommodation. Value about 349 Euro. Transferable to other person. 
• XIV edition of MOC, with main sponsor SIVEN, for the first time in Bulgaria. Event centre in Bansko. Find your Bulgaria! MOC stands for Mediteranian Orienteering Championship – MOC is an annual event organized at the beginning of spring season, in southern countries with softer climate. More info at www.sivenmoc.com and www.orienteering.it

Event sponsor: Orievents / NAOM 2016. 13th – 14th February 2016

• Prize offered: Competition + training package for 2 persons, consisting of: Entry for NAOM 2016 (13February  2016 –  Middle distance + Night Sprint ; 14 February – Middle Distance WRE) +  training camp (6 trainings) + 3 days of accommodation in half board. Value about 320 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
• Orievents / GD4C’s Training Camps “Alto Alentejo” are an excellent training opportunity for Orienteering of good quality during the winter. Start the new season in training camps in Alto Alentejo, Portugal! More at www.naom.pt and about the training camp at Orievents.

Event sponsor: Lipica Open 2016. 12th – 16th March

• Prize offered: 2 packages – each for 2 people – consisting of: Entry to complete Lipica Open competition + hard floor accommodation in Postojna. Value about 320 euro. Transferable to other persons.
• In 2016 Lipica open will again be organized as a 5 day event. Again some great terrains! Training conditions in this part of Europe are now better than ever – both on forest maps and on sprint maps of nice little towns on the Adriatic coast! More at www.lipicaopen.com