Swiss Orienteering at WMOC2022 – Vroni Koenig-Salmi

Swiss Orienteering at WMOC2022 – Vroni Koenig-Salmi

Among the orienteers with an incredible palmares who will be at the start of the 2022 WMOCs in Puglia, Vroni Koenig-Salmi is second to none.
13 world championships in the colours of the Swiss national team from 1989 to 2010  She was the first World and then European Champion in the sprint distance, and she can wear two more world gold medals in the relay at the 2003 and 2005 world championships. 

First of all, I propose you an image taken from a video recently published on Youtube ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7lRw97oyRU&t=1081s at minute 18:00): it’s an “almost live” commentary of the 1989 World Championships made by myself (Stefano Galletti a.k.a Stegal67) and my orienteering friend Marco Giovannini (Chubby_67). You and Jörgen Mårtensson together at the start of the World Championships. 33 years have passed but I bet against Marco that you can tell us what was going through your mind at that moment. Will you help me win the bet? 

 

Nice question and picture. I’m curious to see the video. I remember really well, that I thought: ”I will meet this guy in around 30 years again at a start line of a Masters World Championship. Both of us will smile more in 30 years.

Honestly: no idea, but I was obviously not so very relaxed about the coming task. I was still a Junior at this time.

More seriously, how does an athlete of your level experience the transition from the Elite category, competed at the highest possible level, to the Masters categories? Do you think that there are master athletes who have perhaps never worn the colours of a national team and who try to beat you just to be able to boast?

At least for me it’s a totally different thing. In Elite, I prepared years for a big Championship and I focused on this goal, means there was not a lot of space for compromizes (and holidays).

Me as a runner at WMOC: it’s Italy, this means nice forest, good food and hopefully sun all the time. I will enjoy the whole time of our stay and it’s nice to run in these towns and forests. But there will be no preparation or training. In general, I guess many other participants at WMOC have better competition routines, then I have at the moment. I did not participate in so many competitions after 2010…

We know that you are a coach, and some say that you are very demanding of the athletes you coach. Is this a reflection of the way you have been coached yourself? How do you keep yourself fit and at a high level now that your training needs have changed?

I think, I’m just honest to say, what it needs to become and be a top athlete. I can’t say, this came from my own experience with coaches, but perhaps more, what I expected from myself.

I really like training and all kind of sport. Unfortunately, I struggled with some health problems and had to take some breaks. It’s not so easy to be fit again (at this age 😉) after a break. But I started with swimming and biking.  I feel like I will never stop training, but I’m not so much into competitons (anymore).

A classic question, since we are talking here about WMOC 2022 in Apulia: have you already been to these parts of Italy, with the small villages with thousands of narrow streets overlooking the sea or climbing up the mountains? Coming from the first sprint world champion in history: what must be the main skills to earn a gold medal on the Peschici and Vieste courses in the WMOC sprints?

I have been once in a camp in Gargano. I remember the forest, but I’m not sure if I ever run a sprint in this area. It’s a big difference between the first Sprint World Championship and the competitions in Peschici and Vieste. It will be important to have a good flow, knowing what happens after the next corner and never lose the map contact. I expect some route choices, also using the climb. 

Have you already had experience at the masters world championships? Any memorable or funny event you would like to share?

Yes, I participated once in Finland 2007 and I was with Janne on the podium. I dont’ think we managed to achieve this at a WOC (only in relay).

What do you expect to find this summer in Puglia? Sunshine? Sea? Good food? Orienteering pushed to the highest level? Will it be an “active holiday” week or will the first objective be to win a new gold medal?

First of all Holiday: sun and fun, nice Orienteering and good food, all you need!

Looking forward to seeing you in Puglia in a few months’ time, would you like to leave a message for your Italian fans and the PWT organisation?

We, and I guess a lot of people, are really looking forward to nice and well-organized competitions. See you in the sun 😊