Maria Sá

Iberian trophy this year was held in Malaga. I travelled with the national team 13 hours by bus and then after 7hours sleeping we where in the forest for sprint competition. It was my first orienteering competition this season and I didnt feel very confortable. It was very nice forest for sprint orienteering but a bit steep so I couldnt keep a nice pace all the time. Beside that I lost 1'30''in the long route choice, many seconds close to the control and I lost 1 minute when i fall down very close to the 13th control in a steep area with many stones. I was 3rd qualified and the winner was Elena Espeso.
Next day the long distance,I was very focused and worried too because the race was going to be very technical and physical demanding. I started very bad making huge mistakes, but then the last part of the race i felt more confident and physically stonger and didnt do big mistakes, just some seconds around the control. I was second qualified behind Ester Gil Brotons who did a super time:yikes: .
Finally the middle distance! In the morning i didnt feel very confident because i was very tired because of the long distance and also because i couldnt rest very weel on the night before.The terrain wasn't technical demanding althought I lost several minutes and was not satisfied with my race.I was third qualified and the winner was Ester Gil Brotons..again!
What tasted better was the double victory of the portuguese team. After 6 years being the second qualified the boys and the girls got the victory!!