Presentation Annika Billstam
November 20, 2008 by Niels-Peter Foppen
At WOC 2008 Annika Billstram’s dream was “so unbelievably close to reality” winning her first medal at the World Champs. Below Billstram is presented for the nomination “The Orienteering Achievement of 2008″ through an interview made by World of O and Ultimate Orienteering.
Nominated for: her breakthrough in 2008 with her first medal in WOC with bronze long.
About: Two of the major sources for international orienteering news on the Internet – World of O and Ultimate Orienteering – are organizing a poll to name “The Orienteering Achievement of 2008″ and “The Ultimate Junior Orienteer of 2008″. The winner in each category is decided in a vote amongst all the readers of World of O and Ultimate Orienteering after all nominees have been presented. Starting November 12th we present all nominees on a day-by-day basis. The poll is sponsored by Trimtex. Voting will be possible after all nominees have been presented from this page. See also all nominees in the initial press release.
Interview with Annika Billstram
World of Orienteering / Ultimate Orienteering – Give a short presentation of yourself.
Annika Billstram - I’m 32 years old Swede competing for my club IFK Lidingö SOK in Sweden since this spring. My carrier as an orienteer started when I was 9 years old, in Järfälla OK. I ended my competing at an age of seventeen, but came back to the sport -02 at an age of 25 when I was studying in Uppsala (I joined the club OK Linné). I still have strong memories from one of my first races in Uppsala, I did a technically good race but was more then ten minutes after the winner. I was surprised but had such good time in he forest and was strongly fascinated by the feeling of flow. Since that day I´ve taken many steps towards my dream. To achieve a perfect race (so close you can come) in a World Championship, with this feeling of flow and happiness.
WoO / UO -What was the highlight of the 2008 season for you?
A B - World Champs with no doubt. Suddenly my dream was so unbelievably close to reality. The feeling was that I’ve won a bonze medal, not just missing the gold. It was fantastic. Now I know for sure that it’s reachable. The following day continued with a bronze in the relay and a few day after that a second place In the WC-sprint in Idre (first time top three I WC) A race which was an extraordinary completion with the arena and the huge crowd of spectators.
WoO / UO – What is your thought about being nominated for the orienteering achievement of 2008?
A B – It feels like an honor. Maybe the step doesn’t look that big from aside, but it really is a difference to compete about the places 5-10 compared to 1-5 in the womens class at an international level.
WoO / UO – What are your main goals for the future?
A B – In 2009 my focus is on the world championships in Hungary. I will continue to work with my running capacity and I will develop it by getting stronger and more explosive. I will also get back to some more o-technical training, because of my development in running I have to achieve a higher level in my map reading capacity. Preparing for WOC in Norway 2010 is also important to me the coming year.
WoO / UO – Where is your favourite place to orienteer – where you would advice our readers to travel?
A B – There are so many good places! Among my favorites are; Ireland-maybe a little bit too old maps but very sceneric and “heavy” Nordic training with wet marches. North of Slovenia-superb maps and nice terrain, Norway- this autumn I was in Tromsö during the Norwegian Championships. Every orienteer should go there some time
WoO / UO – Can you describe your thoughest training week in 2008 (day-by-day)?
A B – During January I went three weeks to South Africa, Stellenbosch. The focus was quality in front of quantity. This training period was one important ingredient to this year achievements. Monday 1. Longdistance trailrunning, hilly 1,5 h 2. Strength training, max- 1,0 h Tuesday 1. Morning jog 0,5 h 2. Intervals on grass 4×4min 1,5 h Running exercise, short sprint races Wednesday1. Running exercises & jumps, 1,5 h 5×50m with flying start 2. Jog 1,0 h Thursday 1. 6×3min on grass 1,0 h Friday Rest day Saturday Maximal strength training 1,0 h 5×50m with flying start 6×1000 m on track 1,5 h Sunday Distance mountain running 2,5 h
WoO / UO – Are you a professional orienteer? How many percent is your work/study that you do besides orienteering compared to a full position – and how many hours do you train each year?
A B – No, I work 50-60%. About 550 h/y.
WoO / UO – In your training: Do you put priority on running in the forest or on the road/track? What is your PB in 3000m/5000m?
A B – 10.40 on 3000m.
