Athlete Profile: Damian Konotopetz

Career Highlights

• Winning the 2002 Asia Pacific Orienteering Championships
• Participating in 3 JWOC’s (2008, 2009, 2010)
• Top North American in every race at JWOC 2010; Sprint 74th, Middle 75th -B Final 14th (1 second from making the A Final—that really hurt!), Long 90th.
• Winning the 2010 COC Sprint (M17-20)
• 88th in the Long distance at my first ever WOC in France, 2011

2011 Highlights

• Placing 88th in the WOC Long
• 2nd in the WCOC sprint

When and how did you get involved with orienteering?
My parents introduced me to the sport when I was 8.
What do you love most about orienteering?
No race is the same and you have to use your brain and athletic abilities.
What is your favourite orienteering discipline, and why?
Sprint because you always have to be running at top speed and thinking quickly at the same time.
Which orienteering event is always on your calendar?
Canadian Orienteering Championships.
Do you have an orienteering idol? If so, who and why?
Daniel Hubmann and Jerker Lysell because there both phenomenal athletes and are great at the sprint distance.
What was the highlight of your 2011 season?
Making the Canadian WOC team and placing 88th in my first ever WOC race, the Long distance.
What are your 2012 orienteering goals?
Place top 3 in the 2012 COC’s sprint and top 5 in the middle and long. Place top 3 in the WCOC’s sprint middle and long. Make the WOC team for the Sprint, Middle and relay.
What races are on your 2012 calendar?
Local events in Alberta and Manitoba Sage Stomp, May 19-21, Kamloops, BC Barebones, May 26-27, Calgary/Canmore, AB Hopefully WOC, Lausanne, Switzerland Possibly WUOC, Alicante, Spain
What is your favourite international orienteering location?
Italy.
When you’re not orienteering, where can we find you?
Short Track Speed Skating.