Interviews #1: Mattias Karlsson

Mattias Karlsson - 2nd on Croatia open 2009

For upcoming weeks we will publish you some interviews which we made with perspective international orienteers soo you could find out more about they way of training and what they think about Croatia open...

First you will have a chance to find out more about one of best Swedish orienteer, member of Halden SK, very strong, and person from which we can expect many good results in future; Mattias Karlsson!!

Hello Mattias,

We could say that 2009 is now behind us. What are your feelings about this season? Are you satisfy with it?

My feelings is both positive and negative. I'm satisfied with Nordic Champs in Finland (9 sprint, 13 middle and 5 relay), but I didn't qualify for World Champs in Hungary.

Could you explain us some of your basic philosophy of orienteering technique training? – Do you focus on runing without mistake, simplycation, compas or it is something else?

This question has answers long enough to write a book about it... ;) But I try to make it short: Generally my main focus is understanding the terrain and map. I focus on basic skills such as simplification and the use of compass. I believe that it's no easy way to get a perfect technique, so I try to train it frequently during the year and also through the winter. I also try to learn from my mistakes.

How much hours do you spend training per year and what amount of it is orienteering?

Total training 500-550h. Maybe 1/3 orienteering.

Are you satisfy with it?

No, it's too less.

You were member of wining club on Tiomila 2006 and 2007 – Halden SK. How does it feels to win at such big and prestigous competition?

To run in a team is always a pleasure. You win together and you also loose together. When we succeed in an important relay it's always lots of work and preparations behind, from me, other runners, coaches and supporters. Everything has to work out well to get a victory and when you stand on top of the podium all together, it's an incredible feeling.

What is the goal for Halden SK for next year by your opinion? Do you think that Halden could win gold in Jukola or Tiomila?

We aim to be the best club in the world, and that means winning Tiomila, Jukola and Norwegian champs-relay both men's and women's class.

What is your goal for the future?

To be the best orienteerer in the world.

Sweden is many times described as country with best orienteering terrains, best conditions of training, etc. Why (by your opinion) Sweden for last few years don´t have World champion in elite men category? Did others nations improved or something changed in Sweden?

Last years we've been witnesses to a geographic displacement in the international orienteering-arena, and as you can see in todays result lists there are many countries that has chance to win a medal at international events. Many countries has enough experience and knowledge to make way to new world champions. Sweden has had a few years without gold medals, but remember that last years World champs has been in countries in central/eastern Europe. I think those terrains suits central and eastern european countries better than typical Scandinavian terrain. I think the results from NOC2009 in Finland shows that the Swedes is comfortable in Scandinavian terrain, so it's not unrealistic to see Swedish individual gold medalists in the mens class already in 2010.

You compete on Croatia open 2009. What is your impresion of Croatia generaly, and were you satisfy with organization of competition?

Croatia was a very nice country, and the competitions held had a high standard, so it was a positive trip!

Why did you decided to choose Croatia as your orienteering destination?

We looked at some map-samples on the net and concluded that the terrain looks pretty similar to the karst-terrain in Hungary. So it was mainly to prepare for world champs, and to get new experience from (for me) a new o-country. Of course nice weather and close distance to the sea was an advantage.

What are advantages and disadvatages of karst terrains compared to Scandinavian type of terrain?

The karst terrain requires more focus on using compass, reading contours, and simplifying. Also the running speed is higher than in Scandinavian terrain so you have to act faster.

Some orienteers think that orienteering maps in Croatia are not drawn in best quality. What do you have to say about that? What is your opinion about map drawing standard in Croatia (expecialy in Croatia open)?

I think the maps had a high standard, and the quality was similar to for example the karst terrains in Hungary and Slovakia. The only problem with understanding the maps I had was on a sprint map, where the contour interval was 5m and the forest was maybe to generalised, but overall high standard on the maps.

Will you visit Croatia again?