(Runner’s interview nr 16)
His favourite athlete, the Norwegian superstar Ole Einar Bjørndalen, has won 17 titles of the World Champion in biathlon. The 24-year-old OLAV LUNDANES has got one so far – in long distance at the 2010 WOC in Trondheim. Can he follow his compatriot Bjørndalen’s footsteps?
How has your training for the EOC been going on? The winter training has been great for me this year, and I am looking forward to start of the season for real. This year we have had great training conditions during the whole winter, and that has been very nice after all the snow the last winters.
Photo: www.worldofo.com
What are your plans for the upcoming weeks until the EOC starts? Are you planning any special kind of training with the EOC focus? My plans before the EOC are a training camp in Switzerland, the EOC-selection races and Tiomila. I will not go to Dalarna before the EOC, because I think I did a great preparation during my two trips last year.
If one says Sweden, what comes to your mind first? All the cute girls 
The EOC is hosted by Dalarna county. Have you got any experience with orienteering in this region? If so, how do you like the terrain here? Does it suit you? I had actually never been to Dalarna before last years Elitserien, but I got some good feedback from those races. Even if the EOC terrain is a bit different from those races, that’s always a good feeling to have. After my first training at Ämåtjärn I almost didn’t have words to describe the terrain, so I am really looking forward to seeing what is saved for the EOC. I think the terrain and the expected winning times suites me very well.
The EOC programme includes 7 races within 7 days. Are you planning to run all disciplines? (Why yes? Or why not?) No, I think the program is too tough to run all the 4 disciplines. I will therefore skip one of the individual races, probably the sprint because I think the others suit me better.
In which disciplines do you think you have the highest chance for the top result? Is that discipline also your most favourite one? I think my chances are quite equal on the distances I will run. The long have always been my favourite, but I know I can run good on middle and relay also.
Photo: www.worldofo.com
What do you expect from the EOC? Excellent courses, maps and terrain. Then I will be happy, almost no matter how good I run.
Is there anything you perceive as particularly challenging in regard to the EOC 2012? I am always a bit extra nervous before the first big races of the season, but that only makes it extra fun to run.
Your “favourite” questionnaire:
Favourite movie: Top Gun
Favourite music: Just listening to what’s on the radio
Favourite food: Lasagne
Favourite athlete: Ole Einar Bjørndalen
Favourite sport (except of orienteering): Biathlon
Favourite hobby: Watching sport on TV
Favourite motto (quote): “Prepare what you expect, but expect that you haven’t prepared”
Olav’s profile on WorldOfO: http://runners.worldofo.com/olavlundanes.html
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Runner’s interview no 12 Linnea Gustafsson
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Runner’s interview no 10 Lena Eliasson
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Runner’s interview no 7 Annika Billstam
Runner’s interview no 6 Ida Bobach
Runner’s interview no 5 Simone Niggli
Runner’s interview no 4 Jerker Lysell
Runner’s interview no 3 Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg
Runner’s interview no 2 David Andersson
Runner’s interview no 1 Dana Safka Brozkova
