World of O News
Marianne Andersen has had a great season this year after struggling with injuries for many years – back with a WOC medal 7 years after her previous WOC medal in Trondheim in 2010. Read on for an interview with Andersen on her favourite orienteering courses in 2017.
This interview is part of the “Course of the Year 2017″ contest organized by World of O. In the introduction article you can suggest YOUR favourite course for “Course of the Year 2017″ – there are prizes to be won worth more than 4500 Euro.
Q: What was the best course you run in 2017 – and why?
I think it’s hard to compare different kind of courses in different terrains. But the course in the Norwegian Championship in long distance was at least one of the best.
Being able to run a long distance at decent speed, has been a dream for me for some years now
It offered long legs where you had to pay attention both to macro and micro route choices, and in the end there were some more technical short legs. But perhaps my choice is also influenced by the fact that being able to run a long distance at decent speed, has been a dream for me for some years now. [Editors comment: See an analysis of this race in a WorldofO guest-post at woc2019.no]
» See map in omaps.worldofo.com
NM langdistanse
» See map in omaps.worldofo.com
Q: What was the most interesting orienteering terrain you run in in 2017 – and why?
I think the most interesting terrain I ran in this year was the map Vitipalu, where WOC middle distance and relay were held. It was a terrain that really challenged your basic skills. Because of the low visibility and undergrowth, it was necessary to be really precise in your orienteering at some places, but still you had to simplify the orienteering where it was possible to run really fast.
» See map in omaps.worldofo.com
I think the most interesting terrain I ran in this year was the map Vitipalu, where WOC middle distance and relay were held. It was a terrain that really challenged your basic skills. Because of the low visibility and undergrowth, it was necessary to be really precise in your orienteering at some places, but still you had to simplify the orienteering where it was possible to run really fast.
VM mellomdistanse
» 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?
I can’t remember to have run in any really “boring” terrains this year.
I can’t remember to have run in any really “boring” terrains this year.
Q: What is the worst course you ran in 2017?
It was perhaps not a very bad course, but at the Night Hawk relay I had been looking forward to the mix of flat areas, hillside and ravines, and was disappointed when my course only contained flat areas. But still this didn’t prevent me from doing a big mistake…
» See map in omaps.worldofo.com
It was perhaps not a very bad course, but at the Night Hawk relay I had been looking forward to the mix of flat areas, hillside and ravines, and was disappointed when my course only contained flat areas. But still this didn’t prevent me from doing a big mistake…
Night Hawk 6.etp (men)
» See map in omaps.worldofo.com
Q: Did you set any courses in 2017? If so, is it possible to share the best (in your opinion) with World of O’s readers?
Only for training and a local competition (bedriftsløp). Most of the trainings were made to train at specific technical issues, so they are difficult to rate as courses. I also think it’s hard to rate my own courses. [Editors comment: Google tells me that you’ll have the possibility to experience one of Andersen’s courses on Thursday in Kristiansand, Norway]
Only for training and a local competition (bedriftsløp). Most of the trainings were made to train at specific technical issues, so they are difficult to rate as courses. I also think it’s hard to rate my own courses. [Editors comment: Google tells me that you’ll have the possibility to experience one of Andersen’s courses on Thursday in Kristiansand, Norway]
Q: What is the most interesting routechoice leg you remember from 2017? Did you take the right choice?
Since I didn’t run very many long distances this year, I didn’t meet too many routechoice legs. But among those I ran, I think the leg 3-4 at the Norwegian championsip long distance, was most interesting. I didn’t make the ideal choice, but since I got the best split time by about a minute, it was probably OK.
Since I didn’t run very many long distances this year, I didn’t meet too many routechoice legs. But among those I ran, I think the leg 3-4 at the Norwegian championsip long distance, was most interesting. I didn’t make the ideal choice, but since I got the best split time by about a minute, it was probably OK.
since I got the best split time by about a minute, it was probably OK
[Editors comment: This leg is included in the analysis article in WorldofO guest-post at woc2019.no]
Q: You had an incredible success in 2017 – has that lead to any changes for you? A door-opener for new opportunities?
Not really. Things are mostly the same, I think. The biggest change is perhaps that I’ll be part of the Norwegian national team this winter. I was offered a place in the team also last year, but didn’t feel ready for it then.
Q: What is the race you look most forward to in 2018?
WOC in Latvia is my main goal in 2018, but I am also looking forward to the Norwegian championship at Vegårshei later in the autumn.
Not really. Things are mostly the same, I think. The biggest change is perhaps that I’ll be part of the Norwegian national team this winter. I was offered a place in the team also last year, but didn’t feel ready for it then.
Q: What is the race you look most forward to in 2018?
WOC in Latvia is my main goal in 2018, but I am also looking forward to the Norwegian championship at Vegårshei later in the autumn.
[Editors comment: See two of Andersen’s preparation trainings in Latvia and Vegårdshei below]
VM-samling#4 - Ravine-o Ratneiki
» See map in omaps.worldofo.com
NM-trening Vegårshei#2
» See map in omaps.worldofo.com
Q: What are your goals for next year – and do you plan to change your training and/or focus in order to reach your goals in 2018?
My main goal is to perform well at WOC in Latvia, focusing on the forest diciplines. I have increased my training year by year since 2014, and this winter I will do another small increase. Otherwise I’ll mostly stick to what has worked well the last year.
My main goal is to perform well at WOC in Latvia, focusing on the forest diciplines. I have increased my training year by year since 2014, and this winter I will do another small increase. Otherwise I’ll mostly stick to what has worked well the last year.
Q: Thanks a lot for the interview – and good luck for next season!
PS! Marianne Andersen’s map archive is a great place to learn about how a top orienteer thinks – her detailed narratives about how she solves the orienteering challenges the course setters throw at her are excellent reading material for avid orienteers. See for example Andersen’s fantastic WOC Middle medal race here. The text is in Norwegian, but Google Translate is your friend.
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 2017″, 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: Latvia O-week 2018. August 3rd – 12th 2018
- Prize offered: Competition package for 2 persons – including entry to 6 races (two sprints in Riga, two middle distances in city Sigulda, a long distance in Sigulda and a long distance in Ādaži), 9 nights accommodation during World Orienteering Championships for 2 person in fully serviced apartment (from 4th to 11th of August, 2018). Value about 900 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
- We invite you to the World Orienteering Championships 2018 and Latvia O-week! Latvia O-Week is the WOC2018 Spectator race, a six days long orienteering adventure in Latvia. Discover Latvia for yourself: It is a small pearl of the Baltic countries where you will be able to enjoy a very special flavour of orienteering in the cultural, architectural and historical aura of Riga and Sigulda. 2018 is the year of Latvia’s 100th anniversary. Special preparations for this occasion are on-going in Latvia, and LATVIA O-Week will be among the centenary celebration events. The participants of LATVIA O-WEEK will be the lucky ones to explore orienteering areas similar to those anticipated at the WMOC. More information at http://www.woc2018.lv/o-week/.
Event sponsor: MOC Training Camp + MOC Championships, Catalunya. February 18th – 25th 2018
- Prize offered: Package for 2 people consisting of accommodation and entry fee for MOC Training Camp and MOC Championship 18th-25th February 2018. Value 900 Euro. Transferrable to other persons.
- A great combination of the 6th MOC Sprint Camp (18th to 23rd February 2018) and XIV edition of MOC Mediterranean Open Championship Orienteering (23rd to 25th of February 2018). The camp inlcudes 8 organized set of trainings + seminars. Head coach: Emil Wingstedt. Lectures by Emil Wingstedt and Tim Robertson. The Championship includes 3 races in Tarragona.
Software sponsor: OCAD Orienteering 12
- Prize offered: One licence for the software “OCAD Orienteering 12″. Value about 590 Euro. Transferable to other person (before activation).
- More information: OCAD 12 Orienteering – Perfect to Produce Orienteering Maps. This edition is dedicated for orienteering map making with a step-by-step wizard for analyzing of LiDAR data, mobile geodata capturing, smart editing and drawing tools, generalization tools, desktop publishing, course setting and much more. Read more at ocad.com.
Event sponsor: Andalucia O-Meeting 2018 + Training package. February 26th – March 4th
- Prize offered: AOM Competition Package – including entry to 5 events (night, prologue, middle, sprint, long), 5 nights accommodation in Apartamentos Leo and a 6-map package to train before or after the event. Value about 455 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
- 2 WRE’s in sweet terrains and maps, a friendly atmosphere and mild climate! More info at andaluciaomeeting.com
Event sponsor: Wawel Cup 2018. July 4th – 8th 2018
- Prize offered: 2 packages – each for 2 people – consisting of entry to full Wawel Cup 37th edition + accommodation in hotel + Wawel Cup T-shirt. Value about 400 euro. Transferable to other persons.
- After a couple of years, Wawel Cup is back in rocky terrains. Wawel Cup 37 comprises the biggest rocks in Jura (Poland), the possibility of seeing the medieval castles and beautiful surrounding nature! And foremost challenging terrains and orienteering… on the highest level. Together we will make it a real worldwide orienteering running feast!
Event sponsor: PIOM 2018. February 17th – 18th 2018
- Prize offered: 4 packages – each for 2 persons – transferable to other person. Consisting of complete entry to PIOM 2018 – 3 official races (Middle, night sprint and Long WRE) + 2 model events + lunches at the Arena during 2 competition days. Value about 340 EUR.
- PIOM 2018 will be organized the third Orienteering Weekend in Portugal during the winter time with one WRE Long Distance stage, just 3 days after POM 2018. February in Portugal 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 more than 1000 runners. Besides some new areas, updated cartography, 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 18th Feb. More at http://eventos.coc.pt/piom2018/en/
Event sponsor: WOC 2019 spectator races. August 12th – 18th 2019
- Prize offered: ’Competition Package for 2 persons – including entry to all spectator events during WOC 2019 south of Oslo, Norway. Value estimated to at least 275 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
- Beautiful terrain and great maps with world championships atmosphere – follow the stars and run in the same beautiful area! Be among the first who are officially ready for WOC 2019. More info to come at woc2019.no
Event sponsor: Easter4 2018. March 30th – April 2nd 2018
- Prize offered: One package for 2 people – consisting of: Entry for the Easter4 competition on the Cres island, Croatia + accommodation in pension (B&B). Value about 250 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
- In 2018 Easter4 moves to Cres island, Croatia. The race will again be organized by the same team and quality standard as you might be used from Lipica open, OOcup and Bubo cup. Beautiful terrain of ancient Tramuntana forest will satisfy even the pickiest among orienteering enthusiasts. More at easter4.com.
Event sponsor: Bubo Cup. July 10th – 14th 2018
- Prize offered: 2 packages, each for 2 people consisting of entries for all 4 days of Bubo Cup 2018, Bubo Cup event T-shirt and training map for each. Value about 250 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: After 3 years on Cres island, Bubo cup is coming back to Slovenia where it was originally started. The concept remains the same; high quality orienteering very close to the Adriatic coast & early morning starts to let the participants enjoy the sun and the sea after the competitions. Read more at bubocup.com.
Event sponsor: Bergen Sprint Camp 2018. March 16th – 18th 2018
- Prize offered: Package for 2 people consisting of free start for all 4 high quality sprint competitions March 16th – 18th 2017 + dinner + swimming. Value about 210 Euro. Transferable to other persons.
- More information: For the 8th time, BSC is held in the city center of Bergen, Norway – established as one of the best sprint weekends organized, with several top WOC runners using it as part of their preparations. This time the camp is moved to March. We provide all participants with challenging courses, good maps and interesting analysis of the sessions – hoping to improve the sprint orienteering technique for everyone. See more at Sprint-Camp.blogspot.no – including all courses and analysis from previous editions of BSC.
