World of O News
– I am hesitating between the World Ranking Event of Portugal O-meeting 2012 in Viseu and the long distance race of the Silva League in Göteborg this spring, the “King of Middle distance” Thierry Gueorgiou answers when asked to name his favourite course for “Course of the Year 2012″.
I was not expecting such nice terrain
– But I will choose the first one (see part of the course above), because it was a totally newly mapped area, and I was not expecting such nice terrain.
The World Ranking Event of Portugal O-Meeting was one of the most important races in the winter season for Thierry Gueorgiou and others in the World Orienteering Elite. Gueorgiou crushed the competition in this tricky middle distance race – running a sub 34-minute time on the 6.4 km course. Daniel Hubmann was closest – nearly 1:30 behind.
Gueorgiou’s alternative choice for “Course of the Year”, the Silva League long distance race of April 14th, was won by Gustav Bergman with Gueorgiou in third spot. – Cool and really tough terrain. Good to not make compromises with a spectator passing, Bergman wrote after his victory.
More questions for Gueorgiou
As part of the preparations for “Course of the Year 2012″, Thierry Gueorgiou answered some more questions related to 2012 and the future.
fortunately I have fun in most of my trainings
Q: In which race or training did you have most fun in 2012 – and why?
Hard to say. It is seldom it happens in supposed World class events like World Cup races or WOC despite top preparation and tension in the air because of all the compromises to make them spectator friendly. But fortunately I have fun in most of my trainings. A training camp in Madrid (Peguerinos) last March was also high up in the list this year with a LOT of good trainings… Which obviously was too much as my shin problem started quickly after it…
Q: What is the race you look most forward to in 2013?
All in for WOC Middle distance, 12th July 2013!
Q: What is the worst course you run in 2012?
Well, as I was lucky to be injured and not run the middle distance of the World Cup race in Switzerland, I would say the middle distance in Holmenkollen at NORT. I felt frustrated to run for a long part of the race on a M12 course…
Q: What is your favourite map (from the top of your head)?
As I am now training in Le Caylar, I would probably pick one of them there, especially now as we have a contest to set the most innovative training. But for sure, there are many good places all over the World and I am afraid I won’t have time to visit them all…
Editors comment: This course Tweeted by Philippe Adamski recently seems to fit well into the contest to set the most innovative training… But on the other hand this might just be the base level they start from…?
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?
Some weeks ago, I was organizing a training for the Irish team in Meelmore. The weather was at its best, and the terrain was really cool, with a nice sea view from the tops. Definitively one of the training I enjoyed the most this year.
One of the biggest challenges will also be able to adapt to a new training environment as I will move to Uppsala (Sweden) next week
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?
After a very frustrating season, it is easy to be motivated for next year, but my number goal is to stay healthy before the season starts for real this time! And that’s one of the reasons I’ll not start in the World Cup in New Zealand and NORT as I want to make sure that the foundations are solid enough to perform at my best when it will matter, for WOC and O-Ringen in July.
One of the biggest challenges will also be able to adapt to a new training environment as I will move to Uppsala (Sweden) next week, but I also expected to get lot of energy from breaking some routines.
All in all, I really look forward to 2013!
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.
