2009 National Orienteering Team
Athlete Profiles

Will Critchley

Age: 24
Hometown: Edmonton
Currently living: Edmonton
Club: Edmonton Overlanders Orienteering Club
Occupation: Involved in Intellectual Property Law but not a Lawyer, Fast Trax Shop Flunky

How long ago did you start orienteering?
I started orienteering as a very youngen, and then completely stopped from about age 13 to age 22. I started racing again in 2008 at the Alberta Championships where I took longer to run the sprint than I did the middle. I spent those formative years focusing my efforts as a cross-country skier, racing in the national championships many times, with my best result being 7th in the sprint. I was highly successful at being the alternate for international trips, never once actually getting to go on said trips.

What are your goals for your first WOC:
I will approach these races like any other, with the expectation that I can and will win. I will prepare, warm-up, and start with that mindset, and will be duly upset if I achieve anything less than the best, and my mood afterwards will definitely reflect that (which is why I designate immediate post race time as "me time", a 20 foot buffer is recommended). Eventually I will get over whatever happens and approach the next race the exact same way. While this may seem like an intense and probably emotionally brutal way to compete, I balance it off with trying to not take everything else too seriously. I do expect to have a lot of fun for my first trip to Europe, just not during those few hours of competition. But, in my heart of hearts I know that winning might not necessarily happen, so with that in mind, I'd really just like to beat someone. Anyone will do!

Have you been to other international events?
The most international event I've competed in was in cross country skiing, back when there were Continental Cups, when the best Americans would come up to race in Canada and vice versa. I have never had the opportunity to race off the continent. So it makes perfect sense to start with World Championships, right?

What is your best result or the one you are the most proud of?
I should reserve judgment on this one until I have a result.

What keeps you motivated to train for the sport?
Being at such a low level of experience makes me think I can be so much better. I can certainly be a faster runner (arm muscles only slow you down), and any opportunity I get to run on a map I've never been on before improves my navigation by leaps and bounds.  One day I expect to look back and chuckle at how seemingly awful a navigator I am now, since I will be amazing then.

What is your favourite event?
So far, I've been enjoying Sprint and Long the most, and fearing the Middle the most.

Do you have a pre-race ritual?
My habits have spilled over from skiing, where you never want to be caught without some piece of equipment, in case temperature changes. So, I tend to bring everything I own to races. I absolutely must bring with me to the race site: Thin socks, medium socks, thick socks, cushioned socks, trail shoes, road shoes, light trail shoes, light road shoes, pants, tights, 3/4 pants, 3/4 tights, shorts, tight shorts, short shorts.... and the list goes on and on. Ultimately it comes down to the absolute assurance that I cannot blame my performance on my equipment (or lack thereof).

What would be your best orienteering memory?
I should probably also reserve judgment on this one until I have a "memory".

Personal sponsors:
Fast Trax