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NEWS NOW Park Orienteering World Championships Park PWT World Tour NOW We say Yes! OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK WORLD TOUR SUPPORTERS´ CLUB • ISSUE 2/2000, JULY The World's Best Orienteers Tellesbø and Mikkola PWT première winners

Hanne Staff, World Champion, European Champion, World Cup and PWT Winner: "A World Champion- ships series in Park Orienteering will Soon a World Champ?! increase the interest for our sport world- wide", says Hanne – the newly-crowned Odin Tellesbø of Norway was – like Finland's Marika Mikkola – a happy Towards the 2008 Olympics European Champion and leading lady on the international orienteering scene surprise winner at the Park World Tour 2000 première. Already in 2001 One of the Champions' Week for the last four years. A successful and he may be able to compete for the World Championship title in Park participants will be Wang Junxia of experienced all-round orienteer, she does China, the reigning Olympic 5,000 not want to see the park distance Orienteering. A decision to introduce an official Park Orienteering World metres Champion and world record included in the classic World Championships can be made by the IOF Congress, which will be held in holder at 3,000 and 10,000 metres. Championships week. She will make her elite orienteering "It should be a separate series of 5-6 Egil Johansen (far left) ran the long night leg in the team made up of former Austria, 1-5 August, at the same time as the PWT Champions' Week gathers World Champions at this year's Jukola relay. He was joined by Morten debut at the PWT race in Sweden on races. As the courses are short any an all-time-high of 40 orienteering nations competing at the same place. 26 July, supported by Beijing Olympic elements of chance can affect a single Berglia, Øyvin Thon, Åge Hadler, Jörgen Mårtensson, Kjell Lauri and Göran Öhlund - all supporting a Park Orienteering World Championships series. Corporation, which is bidding for the championships race, but any such 2008 Games. elements will be evened out over a series If Beijing wins the 2008 Olympic of races." The Champions of the 60's, 70's, runners to earn money from their sport. Games, the bid committee has given Her views are in line with those of the 80's and 90's This is also very important", says Seppo. assurance that they will work for the Norwegian national team, which is The husband of Liisa Veijalainen, World inclusion of orienteering in the officially opposed to any changes to the Egil Johansen, World Champion in Champion in 1976, believes in an Olympic programme. current WOC program - but is in favour 1976 and 1978, Norwegian national future for the sport - as a combination of of a Park WOC series. World team coach: "We need the Park classic and Park orienteering. "A World Towards 75 nations Champions such as Allan Mogensen of competitions even if many people here Championships series in Park-O could Denmark, Finland's Janne Salmi and in the Nordic countries think of the definitely be the door opener." With more than 40 countries Austrian Lucie Böhm also support the classic form of orienteering as the main represented at the 2000 Champions' introduction of a Park WOC series. version of the sport." Week, the PWT shows that park "Park Orienteering provides a lot of new orienteering is the way to spread the countries opportunities to practise the sport around the world. sport. And it is even more important in "Very soon we will be able to attract 75 attracting the media", says Egil Johansen different nations to a World - himself an expert commentator for Championships series in Park Orien- the live TV broadcast from the Park teering, which is the official criteria for World Tour in Oslo last year. "A series inclusion in the Olympic Games", says of Park World Champion-ships events, Jörgen Mårtensson, multi-World where the winner is crowned after the Champion and one of the PWT final race, could be the best alternative." founders. The introduction of a Park Orien- The Media teering World Championships series from 2001 on is also supported by Seppo Veijalainen, Orienteering Journalist Norway – the world's leading since the 1970's: "Park Orienteering is the orienteering nation – and many way to go to get obtain more TV and media Seppo Veijalainen, one of the world's international top runners. coverage at the competitions", says Seppo most experienced orienteering Veijalainen - a supporter of the Park World journalists,PWT NOW! sees aISSUE Park WOC2/2000, series JULY as Text: Erik Borg, Kjell Nilsson, Sepp Hartinger, Tour ever since its beginning. When PWT a doorIain opener Rochford, to the Anders Olympic Vestergård. Games. Page 2-7 Extensive coverage of Hanne Staff – now also European came to his home town of Turku last year, Pictures: Thommy Nyhlén, Erik Borg, PWT Archive. the PWT 2000 première. Champion – is one of many top the media interest was huge - much bigger Layout & Printing: Hartinger Consulting. than at most World Cup events. "The Park Publisher: PWT Supporter Club, Jan Fogeby, Odin Tellesbø says "Yes!" to a World Championships series in Page 8-11 Champions gathering orienteers in favour of a Park WOC Dadelgränd 6, 17557 Järfälla, Sweden, Park Orienteering – as do many of the best orienteers in the world. series. races have also made it possible for the E-mail: [email protected] in Sweden , Slovenia and Austria.

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Smash hit for Marika in her second race Annichen Kringstad. Emma made her while Norwegian Hanne Staff was not runners from seven different countries PWT debut in Laxå in 1997 as a able to run due to injury. occupying the top ten places in the junior, but counts Hamina as her first Just as in the men's race, the impres- results. proper PWT race. "This has given me sion after the first PWT race of the The PWT 2000 premiére was orga- a taste for more and I'll be running the year is one of greater competition with nised by the orienteering club Vehka- rest of the PWT series. I am an ever broader elite base. The inter- lahden Veikot and the Reserve convinced that park orienteering provides national variety is also impressive with Officers' School of Hamina. Finnish success experience from which I can benefit in classic orienteering races, not least with regard to coping with stress", explained Results and points, women Emma. 1 Marika Mikkola FIN 18.57,4 25 2 Reeta Kolkkala FIN 19.07,4 20 in the Hamina Favourites fall at the first hurdle 3 Emma Engstrand SWE 19.53,6 17 PWT specialists such as Lucie Böhm 4 Kaisa Salminen FIN 20.11,4 15 of Austria and Denmark's Dorte Dahl 5 Frauke Schmitt-Gran GER 20.15,3 13 finished further down the results list 6 Elisabeth Ingvaldsen NOR 20.20,4 11 in 8th and 15th place respectively, 7 Brigitte Grüniger SUI 20.20,5 9 8 Lucie Böhm AUT 20.25,5 8 fortress 9 Maria Sandström SWE 20.52,5 7 10 Giedre Voveriene LTU 20.53,5 6 11 Külli Kaljus EST 20.57,5 5 12 Käthi Widler SUI 21.03,3 4 13 Heather Monro GBR 21.07,2 3 14 Maria Hoffman FIN 21.10,9 2 15 Dorte Dahl DEN 21.11,6 1 16 Karolina Arewång SWE 21.20,6 17 Birgitte N. Husebye NOR 21.43,1 18 Heidi Liljeström FIN 21.57,5 19 Eva Jurenikova SWE 22.01,1 20 Annika Björk SWE 22.21,1 21 Jenny James GBR 22.28,3 22 Zsuzsa Fey ROM 23.43,5 Karolina Arewång: Should I run 23 Michaela Gigon AUT 24.37,5 through the tunnel or not? 24 Julie Calder AUS 25.22,0

Faster, better, stronger: New high-tech heights for PWT

Newcomer Emma Engstrand (left) of Sweden was the only one to stop a Finnish triple victory on home ground The 2000 première in Finland was another landmark in the high-tech history of the Park World - but she couldn´t stop the top two: happy winner Marika Mikkola and silver medallist Reeta Kolkkala. Tour. With Sportident making its debut as the PWT timekeeping system, the official results were provided within three minutes of the last runner finishing in each class, thus ensuring that the The Finnish women defended the honour of their country at I have set myself high goals, both for the PWT and next year's World Champi- award ceremonies were conducted on schedule – and live on TV. the premiére race of the 2000 Park World Tour series around onships here in Finland. I am free of the famous fortress ramparts at Hamina. injury and very hungry", commented TV plans for the future teering arena and the Swedish company from the course via radio transmission, Marika whose start in Hamina was had four men at the course in Hamina a service provided by the Czech com- A new star emerged in the shape of High ambitions only her second ever PWT race. FST, the Swedish language department to ensure a smooth results service. pany Racom. The Park World Tour is 28 year old Marika Mikkola who of the Finnish Broadcasting Company With a digital time display on the stage, now negotiating with Racom con- finished 9 seconds ahead of her better- Marika Mikkola does not have any Engstrand in the mood Yle, provided the longest ever live PWT the spectators were able to follow the cerning the Champions' Week in Au- known compatriot Reeta Kolkkala – top international results apart from a broadcast and succeeded in catching development of the race - and in both stria next month, with the aim of ha- the overall winner of the historic first relay gold from the 1995 Nordic Emma Engstrand of Sweden was also the race action and the special at- classes the fight for the podium positi- ving live transmission of split times ever PWT series in 1996. Kaisa Championships. Injuries and her a welcome "breath of fresh air" in third mosphere around the Hamina Bastion. ons was tough right up until the last from several controls. Salminen also took fourth place for studies have combined to hold back place, 56 seconds behind Mikkola. In FST, which covered the Tour for the runners crossed the finishing line. The Champions' Week will be a mar- Finland. Mikkola combined power her international orienteering career, the absence of Gunilla Svärd, last year's fifth time in a row, has already added vellous spectator event world wide with and elegance in the furiously-paced but Marika has now signalled her full overall PWT winner who is expecting the PWT to its preliminary broad- Split times live on site & online the help of a huge video screen on site race and Finland may have seen here concentration on next year's World her first child this year, Emma has been casting plans for 2001. and live pictures from the races on the a possible medal winner at next year's Championships. "I am moving back nominated the great Swedish hope and For Sportident the PWT race was an For the first time in a top international Internet. World Championships in Tampere. to Finland (from Oslo) this summer and has already been talked of as the new exciting debut in the world class orien- race, split times were provided direct

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Faster, better, stronger: New high-tech heights for PWT

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The Swedish results were below par after several international team members did not start. The Swedish 1,000/1 - the odds attitude came in for strong criticism from Jörgen Mårtensson who, for the first time, followed the race from the sidelines as a spectator. for the Tellesbø-

Omeltchenko´s route choice Invisible Swedes Tellesbø´s route choice Omeltchenko double "I don't really understand the attitude of the runners or the Swedish federation. The combination of Odin Tellesbø -Yuri Omeltchenko was a In a year's time this form of orienteering major surprise for people gambling on the Finnish pools. may already have World Championship status. Experience from park orienteering The top duo in the men's PWT race The Park World Tour predecessor, IF will be vital. With the racing tempo gave their lucky backers 1,065 times Femman's Jippo race in Vasa, was the which is required in park orienteering their money - if they had backed the first ever orienteering race to be the Swedish men won't stand a chance Norwegian Viking as number one and included in the Finnish national pools without practising in big events", the Ukrainian warrior as number two. in 1995. comments Jörgen with disappointment. Five punters placing 5 FIM on the The Swedish Orienteering Federation Tellesbø-Omeltchenko combination (SOFT) has not kept up with inter- could add more than 5,000 FIM to national developments in the sport. their bank accounts after the Hamina Several countries, including Norway, results were announced. have already organised Park Orienteering Championships, but a Mikkola-Kolkkala - 90 : 1 proposal to introduce a Swedish Championships in park orienteering Marika Mikkola and Reeta Kolkkala was rejected at the federation's AGM as the top two among the women was Odin Tellesbø on the way towards his first PWT victory – secured by a spectacular jump to the last control. in March of this year. not quite such an unexpected Yuri Omeltchenko run around a fence and down the steps – Odin jumped over the fence and slipped down "Incomprehensible, SOFT refuses to accept combination as in the men's race. The the grass, thereby saving two decisive seconds! new impulses and ideas such as that odds were just over 90 to 1, still offering offered by the PWT, both in respect to the fortunate gamblers a handsome races and to recruitment opportunities", return on their stake. Yuri and Odin – a gambler´s dream. states Jörgen Mårtensson. Spectacular jump Perfect arena Results and points, men The fortress ramparts at Hamina 1 Odin Tellesbø NOR 16.12,0 25 provided a perfect race venue with 2 Yuri Omeltchenko UKR 16.13,8 20 excellent opportunities for spectators 3Bjørnar Valstad NOR 16.21,1 17 secured Odin's win to follow the intensive racing at close 4 Jamie Stevenson GBR 16.32,9 15 quarters. The start and finish were The 26 year old Norwegian Odin Tellesbø is one of the most colourful characters on the Park strategically located in a big tent right 5 Mikhael Mamlejev RUS 16.35,3 13 World Tour. A breathtaking leap down the ramparts of the fortress to the last control won him in the middle of the fortress area and 6 Carsten Jørgensen DEN 16.44,9 11 the winner's cheque in the first round of this year's PWT series in Hamina, Finland. gave a clear message that with the right 7 Carl Henrik Bjørseth NOR 16.45,7 9 "packaging" orienteering is a great arena 8 Simo Martomaa FIN 16.47,7 8 sport. The city stands guard against intruders place from the Sveaborg fortress in top of the results in park orienteering. 9 Grant Bluett AUS 16.49,4 7 from the east, and it was also an Helsinki in 1998 and he is one of the His performance in Hamina 10 Jarkko Huovila FIN 17.07,2 6 orienteer from the "east", Ukrainian regular stars of the PWT series. His demonstrates that Valstad now also 11 Edgaras Voveris LTU 17.08,1 5 Yuri Omeltchenko, who missed out explosive style is almost tailor-made masters the special techniques involving on victory as a result of the bold move for this type of orienteering racing, and rapid changes of direction and fast flow 12 Thierry Gueorgiou FRA 17.11,1 4 by the Norwegian runner. the likeable Norwegian has every through the controls which are required 13 Jani Lakanen FIN 17.13,4 3 chance of continuing to fight for the to excel in the increasingly popular 14 Rudolf Ropek CZE 17.19,3 2 Explosive style overall PWT title later in the autumn. discipline of park orienteering. 15 Thomas Jensen DEN 17.23,5 1 Last year's overall PWT winner - Allan 16 Allan Mogensen DEN 17.27,8 The winning margin after 3.5 km of Valstad heading towards the top Mogensen of Denmark - finished running and 18 controls was just 1.8 outside the point-scoring positions in 17 Thomas Bührer SUI 17.27,9 seconds - a margin Odin won by his There was also a Norwegian in third 16th. 18 Tore Sandvik NOR 17.37,4 leap to get to the last control. place on the podium - Bjørnar Valstad Other disappointed runners included 18 Janne Salmi FIN 17.37,4 Yuri chose a less risky route - and it - who was only 9 seconds away from Norwegian Tore Sandvik, the current 20 Jørgen Rostrup NOR 17.41,9 cost him victory. victory. Bjørnar is the indisputable World Cup leader, and World Odin Tellesbø thus gained his first number one male orienteer and a Champions Jørgen Rostrup of Norway, 21 Joacim Carlsson SWE 17.46,1 PWT win which was very well-earned. specialist at the classic distance, but he Finland's Janne Salmi and Swiss Alain Bjørnar Valstad - "new" top runner 22 Alain Berger SUI 18.01,0 His previous merits include a second has not previously been noted at the Berger. in the Tour - also took the steps. 23 Lubos Mateju CZE 18.11,6 24 Håkan Eriksson SWE 18.49,7 25 Jürgen Hartinger AUT 19.18,6 4 www.pwt.org www.pwt.org 5 Park Park PWT World Tour NOW PWT World Tour NOW Marika's big step Odin makes the towards the top PWT family bigger Last autumn Marika Mikkola was about to quit orienteering. Now she is in better shape The first year of the new millennium has seen a baby boom in the PWT world, with top orienteers than ever. At the age of 28, she describes the first half of 2000 as a wonderful orienteering year such as Gunilla Svärd, Johanna Asklöf and Sabrina Meister all on the "waiting list". However so far. She has done much better than she had expected. the first child to be born as a direct result of the Park World Tour is expected in November - with Odin Tellesbø, the brave winner of the PWT 2000 première, as the father. "I have fought against injuries during in 1995, but her first international professionally, answering questions in the past four years and had almost decided individual triumph was the PWT race four different languages - Finnish, year. We will have to look for our own to give up before finally becoming free of in Hamina. "It was fantastic fun", adds Swedish, English and Norwegian. place to live. Even though we're welcome injury last autumn. This is the first winter Marika. The smiling girl from Espoo, close to to stay with my sister and her family, we in four years that I have been able to Helsinki, now lives just a few kilometres can't do that for ever", he adds. train properly. I really love and enjoy Four languages away from another Finnish star - The prize money from the Park World every bit of it - especially the running Johanna Asklöf, the multi-medallist Tour is a good help. Last year Odin training", she comments. At the finish she was surrounded from the World Championships, World finished fifth overall. This year he wants Marika Mikkola became Nordic by TV cameras and journalists - Cup and PWT races. to do even better. Champion with the Finnish relay team and handled the situation very Marika and her husband Kai Hilo have - "I didn't qualify for the Norwegian just returned to their roots after 18 team for the World Cup races in Ukraine months in Norway - her second period and Finland this summer so the PWT of residence in the country. She also definitely has the highest priority now. It spent six months in Trondheim in 1992 is much more important than the World while completing her telecommuni- Cup. The PWT is getting bigger and cations engineering studies. bigger every year. All the races are high- quality events - both as competitions and Norwegian inspiration in respect to marketing and promotion, in stark contrast to many of the World In Oslo, Marika worked for the Cup races". Internet provider n3sport - and trained a lot. She has been a valued member Great fun: Odin Tellesbø, newly married in a former PWT host city. Yes to Park-O World Champs´ of Bækkelaget with Hanne Staff and the other top girls as sparring partners "We have planned it well", says Odin her at the banquet held afterwards in What do you think about a World - and she has also done a lot of interval with a smile. "Our timing means that the same hall. We were talking a lot and Championship in park orienteering? training in the hilly Norwegian capital. I can run all the competitions in this decided to stay in touch. The PWT "A definite "yes". That will give park "It has been fun to run in the evenings year's PWT, including the races in treasurer, Hans Mårtensson, provided us orienteering even higher status. above the city and to be able to see it all Thailand and China". with pen and paper so that we could Orienteering needs more publicity and lit up", says Marika. And why will his child be a product of exchange addresses. I am very grateful to attention in order to obtain funding and the PWT? Because Odin is a great him", says Odin. to boost recruitment. People can follow Kai does the dishes PWT supporter? Because he is doing the park races - both as spectators at the so well in the park races? Because he Married in July race site and also increasingly on TV - at Her husband Kai joins her for many won the race in Hamina? close quarters in a way which is impossible of the training sessions - and takes care Not quite. The explanation is On July 8th Eliska and Odin got for classic races which are normally held of the household. "Kai does all the dishes somewhat different. married in Olomouc. They then settled deep in forested terrain. It is difficult to and the cleaning. He's great. He gives down in Nittedal, Norway, in the house attract much attention or new audiences me more time for training", smiles Love from the start of Odin's sister Hilde and her family. for the more traditional form of Marika. She attributes part of her "They are my biggest sponsors. They really orienteering." success to Kai - her biggest supporter. One of the most remarkable races on help us", comments Odin. Isn't park orienteering too easy? If you see Marika in the centre of the 1998 Tour was held in Olomouc Even in a big orienteering country like "The orienteering is easier in one way, crowd, he will not be far away with his in the Czech Republic. Norway it isn't easy to obtain sponsor- but the level of stress is much higher. You camera. You don't have to guess who Eliska Sevcikova was one of the officials ship or other finding. have to do everything so fast. In that is the first to give her a big hug after at the start in the city's famous flower Odin is working part-time as a teacher respect it is more challenging than normal she crosses the finish line. And when exhibition hall. Odin hardly noticed of outdoor activities but it doesn't really orienteering. I also think that it's becoming her feet are sore, he takes care of them, her at first as he was so concentrated bring in enough to keep a family. "I more and more fun", says Odin Tellesbø too. "He's good at massage. He is really on the race. Since then though he has don't really know what will happen to – recently celebrating another great Strong running Marika Mikkola has had a superb start of the 2000 season. a wonderful husband". seen rather a lot of her. "I approached my career as an elite orienteer after this occasion in the PWT city of Olomouc.

6 www.pwt.org www.pwt.org 7 Park Park PWT World Tour NOW PWT World Tour NOW Marika's big step Odin makes the towards the top PWT family bigger Last autumn Marika Mikkola was about to quit orienteering. Now she is in better shape The first year of the new millennium has seen a baby boom in the PWT world, with top orienteers than ever. At the age of 28, she describes the first half of 2000 as a wonderful orienteering year such as Gunilla Svärd, Johanna Asklöf and Sabrina Meister all on the "waiting list". However so far. She has done much better than she had expected. the first child to be born as a direct result of the Park World Tour is expected in November - with Odin Tellesbø, the brave winner of the PWT 2000 première, as the father. "I have fought against injuries during in 1995, but her first international professionally, answering questions in the past four years and had almost decided individual triumph was the PWT race four different languages - Finnish, year. We will have to look for our own to give up before finally becoming free of in Hamina. "It was fantastic fun", adds Swedish, English and Norwegian. place to live. Even though we're welcome injury last autumn. This is the first winter Marika. The smiling girl from Espoo, close to to stay with my sister and her family, we in four years that I have been able to Helsinki, now lives just a few kilometres can't do that for ever", he adds. train properly. I really love and enjoy Four languages away from another Finnish star - The prize money from the Park World every bit of it - especially the running Johanna Asklöf, the multi-medallist Tour is a good help. Last year Odin training", she comments. At the finish she was surrounded from the World Championships, World finished fifth overall. This year he wants Marika Mikkola became Nordic by TV cameras and journalists - Cup and PWT races. to do even better. Champion with the Finnish relay team and handled the situation very Marika and her husband Kai Hilo have - "I didn't qualify for the Norwegian just returned to their roots after 18 team for the World Cup races in Ukraine months in Norway - her second period and Finland this summer so the PWT of residence in the country. She also definitely has the highest priority now. It spent six months in Trondheim in 1992 is much more important than the World while completing her telecommuni- Cup. The PWT is getting bigger and cations engineering studies. bigger every year. All the races are high- quality events - both as competitions and Norwegian inspiration in respect to marketing and promotion, in stark contrast to many of the World In Oslo, Marika worked for the Cup races". Internet provider n3sport - and trained a lot. She has been a valued member Great fun: Odin Tellesbø, newly married in a former PWT host city. Yes to Park-O World Champs´ of Bækkelaget with Hanne Staff and the other top girls as sparring partners "We have planned it well", says Odin her at the banquet held afterwards in What do you think about a World - and she has also done a lot of interval with a smile. "Our timing means that the same hall. We were talking a lot and Championship in park orienteering? training in the hilly Norwegian capital. I can run all the competitions in this decided to stay in touch. The PWT "A definite "yes". That will give park "It has been fun to run in the evenings year's PWT, including the races in treasurer, Hans Mårtensson, provided us orienteering even higher status. above the city and to be able to see it all Thailand and China". with pen and paper so that we could Orienteering needs more publicity and lit up", says Marika. And why will his child be a product of exchange addresses. I am very grateful to attention in order to obtain funding and the PWT? Because Odin is a great him", says Odin. to boost recruitment. People can follow Kai does the dishes PWT supporter? Because he is doing the park races - both as spectators at the so well in the park races? Because he Married in July race site and also increasingly on TV - at Her husband Kai joins her for many won the race in Hamina? close quarters in a way which is impossible of the training sessions - and takes care Not quite. The explanation is On July 8th Eliska and Odin got for classic races which are normally held of the household. "Kai does all the dishes somewhat different. married in Olomouc. They then settled deep in forested terrain. It is difficult to and the cleaning. He's great. He gives down in Nittedal, Norway, in the house attract much attention or new audiences me more time for training", smiles Love from the start of Odin's sister Hilde and her family. for the more traditional form of Marika. She attributes part of her "They are my biggest sponsors. They really orienteering." success to Kai - her biggest supporter. One of the most remarkable races on help us", comments Odin. Isn't park orienteering too easy? If you see Marika in the centre of the 1998 Tour was held in Olomouc Even in a big orienteering country like "The orienteering is easier in one way, crowd, he will not be far away with his in the Czech Republic. Norway it isn't easy to obtain sponsor- but the level of stress is much higher. You camera. You don't have to guess who Eliska Sevcikova was one of the officials ship or other finding. have to do everything so fast. In that is the first to give her a big hug after at the start in the city's famous flower Odin is working part-time as a teacher respect it is more challenging than normal she crosses the finish line. And when exhibition hall. Odin hardly noticed of outdoor activities but it doesn't really orienteering. I also think that it's becoming her feet are sore, he takes care of them, her at first as he was so concentrated bring in enough to keep a family. "I more and more fun", says Odin Tellesbø too. "He's good at massage. He is really on the race. Since then though he has don't really know what will happen to – recently celebrating another great Strong running Marika Mikkola has had a superb start of the 2000 season. a wonderful husband". seen rather a lot of her. "I approached my career as an elite orienteer after this occasion in the PWT city of Olomouc.

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World record holder and Olympic Champion starts in the PWT Wang challenges the top orienteers 8.06.11 is her world record time in the 3,000 metres, set in September 1993. The same year she won the World Championships at 10,000 metres in Stuttgart – and three years later Olympic gold at 5,000 metres in Atlanta. On Wednesday, 26 July, Wang Junxia from China will challenge the world's best orienteers – over a 3,000 metre orienteering course – at the PWT race in Kumla, Sweden.

"I have trained and competed on roads out about the sport through the Park Chinese delegation, including officials, and tracks for many years. The task has World Tour activities and development runners and several journalists from been to run as fast as possible. work in China led by multi-World the main Chinese TV channel, CCTV, Orienteering, though, demands that you Champion Jörgen Mårtensson and will be the largest ever to visit Europe. think at the same time as you run, so Gåvert Wååg. that you can find your route via the "A Chinese TV journalist who fol- Orienteering in the Olympics controls on the course to the finish in the lows our project is a close friend of fastest possible way". "As I love to run, Wang Junxia and introduced her to Beijing Olympic Corporation – the the orienteering challenge makes this all orienteering", comments Jörgen organisation behind the Chinese bid the more exciting", says Wang Junxia – Mårtensson. for the 2008 Olympics – will also send a most interesting rival for Hanne Staff, representatives to the orienteering week Lucie Böhm and Marika Mikkola in Chinese mass delegation and the PWT event in Sweden. the coming PWT races. "We have signed an agreement with the 27 year-old Wang is currently studying Beijing bid committee, where they Keen on orienteering law at Beijing University. Together with guarantee that they will work for the her husband and a group of a further inclusion of orienteering in the Olympics, Having parted from her former 400 Chinese she will take part in the once they win the Games", says Jörgen athletics team and her coach Ma Swedish O-Ringen 5-day orienteering Mårtensson. Junren, the Olympic Champion is very event in Hallsberg, 23-28 July, and a The Beijing Olympic Corporation excited about trying a new sport, and number of associated lectures, business delegates will also travel to the PWT does not hide the fact that she has high presentations and cultural events. Champions' Week in Slovenia and ambitions. "Now, I want to become a This orienteering exchange with China Austria – together with Wang Junxia, champion in orienteering too", says has been made possible by the Park who will join the Chinese team in this Wang Junxia, well aware of that the World Tour organisation in great gathering of more than 40 PWT races will be her first try and she conjunction with Swedish companies, orienteering nations. will still have a lot to learn. She found universities and authorities. The Swedish "volcano" hosts the next race Tough course in Kumla At her PWT debut in Sweden, even a operation in Sweden – has been time twice her 3,000 metres world transformed in recent years into a record will be tough to beat for the recreation centre for downhill skiing Olympic champion Wang Yunxia. in the winter and hiking in the summer, Kvarntorpshögen, the site of the Park and with an outdoor art exhibition on World Tour stage 2/2000, will offer a the summit. hilly course with tricky orienteering. Thousands of spectators and a huge The Scandinavian "volcano" – a man- crowd of media representatives are made hill, consisting of the remnants expected to attend the PWT event in P-A Bergman, course planner, and Ove Wang Junxia, the world´s fastest woman at 3,000 and 10,000 metres, will make her orienteering debut at the PWT of the largest ever oil extraction Kumla on Wednesday, 26 July. Nilsson, map maker, high above Kumla. races in Sweden, Slovenia and Austria – followed by the main Chinese TV Channel and the Beijing Olympics bid team.

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where the Romans quarried the optimal and will set the standard for be a historic experience which will be building material needed for their park orienteering. The spectators will provide great memories: the week will empire over 2000 years ago. The be able to follow the race action live also be a marvellous opportunity to enjoy Over 40 nations at opening and the closing ceremony will on the video wall which will be located a totally new dimension of the sport. We also be special highlights of the week. at the start and finish of all the races. would like to wish you a very warm The courses themselves promise welcome to the World Orienteering Week Slovenia – a new country opportunities for many spectacular in Austria from July 30 to August 5. pictures. When Slovenia organises the 3rd stage the PWT Champions´ of this year's Park World Tour, yet another Decisive scenes live on Internet new orienteering nation will be added to the list of world-wide organisers in A very special première will be the live the history of the PWT. coverage of the relay and the finals on The organising city of Maribor has a lot the Internet. Live pictures will be to offer both competitors and spectators. accompanied by the original Week in Austria The start and finish will be situated at a sound of the moderator. very spectacular venue. Here too, a video "Via our Internet address, www.pwt.org, Austria has always had a good reputation for organising special events. When the Park World wall will provide live coverage. The race it will be possible for more than 2000 Tour took Europe by storm in 1997, Graz was the first PWT venue to present a video wall will start on Tuesday, 1 August at 17.00 persons world-wide to follow the with the women's race, followed by the competitions live on their computer screens on the stage with live coverage of the event - setting impressive visual standards for other men's race at 18.00. An open race as part simultaneously", says Peter Mohn, the race organisers. of the "7 Days / 7 Races" series will be PWT Internet expert, who is really held beforehand at 13.30. looking forward to this event. In 1998 the Austrians again demonstrated their innovative talent Delegates and world elite with the PWT race venue in the ski united in teams stadium in Schladming - another "first" as an exciting PWT venue. This year Another great event will be without a new chapter is about to be written doubt the delegates race - a part of the So far the following countries have in the history of orienteering with the IOF Congress. Delegates and top confirmed their entries for the PWT organisation of a Champions´ Week runners will form teams of 4 with the Champions' Week: in Leibnitz. No less than 44 nations task of completing a team orienteering have already entered for the race together. Australia • Austria • Belgium • Bulgaria Champions´ Week which will be held "We hope this competition will contribute • Canada • China • Croatia • Czech in conjunction with the annual to building links and a better Republic • Denmark • Estonia • International Orienteering Federation understanding between runners and Finland • France • Germany • Great (IOF) Congress. This is a record for officials," states chief organiser Sepp Britain • Greece • Hungary • Ireland participating nations in the history of Hartinger. • Israel • Italy • Japan • Kazachstan • orienteering and shows the significant Latvia • Lithuania • Moldavia • New interest that exists for Park PWT President's Forum Zealand • Norway • Pakistan • Poland Orienteering. Sepp Hartinger, Head • Romania • Russia • Slovakia • of the Organising Committee and Vice Another important initiative - above Slovenia • South Africa • Spain • President of the Park World Tour, is all in respect to the decision to organise Sweden • Switzerland • Taiwan • Turkey certainly very enthusiastic: "Our aim a World Championships in Park • Ukraine • Yugoslavia of having the IOF delegates with us in Orienteering which will be made at experiencing such an important park this 20th IOF Congress - will be the orienteering event is about to be fulfilled. A model for World Championships President's Forum on August 2 at Never before have we seen such enormous and Olympic Games Orienteering Schloss Seggau, the Congress venue. interest and enthusiasm. This is a very "There we would like to present our Join the PWT positive sign for the future development The Champions´ Week from August visions of the sport of orienteering to the of our sport." 2 to 5 will without doubt be an absolute IOF delegates and to the elite runners Supporters' Club highlight in the programme of this and also gather new ideas for the future 18 events in one week year's Park World Tour. So far, 44 during an open discussion following the Championships! nations have responded to the presentation", says PWT President The week from July 30 to August 5, invitation from the Park World Tour Anders Vestergård. The first ever PWT Supporters' in which the Champions´ Week, the and will be represented by two men Club Championships will be held 3rd stage of the Park World Tour and and two women at this world première. Experience the start of a new era in the PWT terrain in Kumla the orienteering series "7 Days / 7 The Champions´ Week itself - with straight after the PWT race on Races" will all take place, will involve qualification races, a mixed relay and Overall the World Orienteering Week 26 July. Due to environmental a very tight timetable. No less than 18 the A + B finals - will be an exact model in Austria will be a significant impetus concerns for the special character events will have to be put on by the of how orienteering should be and forum for major change which will of the area, only the first 200 entries organising team. It will all start with presented at a World Championships make the sport of orienteering more will be accepted. Enter by joining the first race of the "7 Days / 7 Races" and Olympic Games in the future. exciting, more interesting, more trendy the PWT Supporter's Club: more O-series when all the courses will lead Both the length of the courses as well and above all more successful in the details in the special "flyer" or via through an old underground quarry as the organisational aspects will be the future. Being part of this will not only [email protected]

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