Sunday, 19. July 2009, 12:50:54
Last year, my friend Mazo asked me, if I don't want to join his club Rapid Bratislava and take part at ITA5 09 in Dolomites connected with JWOC. I said YES, with big expectations
.Unluckily Mazo can not run at the moment, and was replaced by my ATU team mate Adam. I am sure, that he we also remember these 11 days for always...
Our base camp was in lovely village Siror, straight under mountains. In first days, we explored nice Italian mountains. Most interesting was trip to snow plateau 2700 m. above sea level. Some highlight from that day: memories of war
Fradusta glacier lake
snow running
dry river running ( I used these skills in 3rd and 5th stage
)
and finally wet river running
(canyoning)
After three days of hiking competitions began. Shape was not perfect,legs were tired, but it was not important at the moment. These who needed shape were juniors.
What I hate about north Italy ,is fact that there is nearly no single flat place, just steep slopes. I felt it hard on the way to the start of 1st stage of ITA 5.I wondered why organizers recommend 55 minutes on 3,5 km long way to the start. I used just 25 and got there really tired few beeps before my start. After few controls I understood that today's race is over and continued in training speed towards finish. So no more chances for good overall result in ME with 20 minute lost after first stage...
In the afternoon we enjoyed thrilling sprint race in Mezzano which looked bit like Swedish-Swiss champs
Next days Passo Rolle was big challenge. Orienteering in 2000 m. altitude is untypical experience.
At first as a warm-up we climbed hill on the picture (it is not photomontage
):
and discovered trenches and caves from First World War.
But afterward, bit easy elite course and unstable weather ruined my expectations of highlight day...
Next day was ,,rest day,, , but according slogan: NO REST FOR THE RUNNERS, we ignored it and made top hiking of the week. At first we get under Cima Rosseta by cabin lift. Hill was full of JWOC participants, so we better continued towards our goal: Cimon della Pala (3184 m.). Near the top we met Francois Gonon and his Girlfriend.
Hero of the day was Milan who made whole trip just in sandals.
Afterward he concluded, that it was not good idea...
Next two days we spent in San Martino di Castroza, place of JWOC middle qualification and final. It was also my coaching premiere
Boys made their best, but few mistakes split them from better results.
4th stage of public event is worth mentioning: terrain of JWOC middle final brought one of this years o-highlights. I made a good race besides 7th control, where I lost 2 minutes.
On Saturday, last ITA5 stage and JWOC relay was held in Val Canali valley, organized in spectator-friendly concept with 2 spectator controls.
And after closing ceremony , extra stage of the week ,JWOC party completed successful week
.
All maps from competitions, hikings and trainings are on my
new MAP PAGEMore photos from Italy
HERE .
And big THANK YOU!!! to all Rapid members who helped all the time.
...
.On 28th January, I pass my last exam 
and already following day, ATU training camp in High Tatras (Štrbské Pleso) has begin.Perfect snow conditions and well prepared cross country skiing tracks caused, that nearly everyone preferred skiing trainings.We also made some running sessions to explore beauties of snowy mountains. 
.
(but just few 
WIDGETIZE