Denmark’s results at the Junior World Championships have been impressive so far: several medals and runners amongst the ten best.
–And it’s mainly the result of hard work, not because the events are organised on our home ground, says Lars Lindstrøm, who is responsible for development of young talents in Denmark.

Denmark invests in juniors

The Danish junior team has one trainer concentrating on running skills and one on orienteering technique.
– The trainers are doing what they are really good at, Lars says.

It’s six years ago that the 31-year-old Dane got involved in the national work with juniors and youngsters. Since then Denmark has achieved a lot of good results at both Junior World Championships and European Youth Championships. This year they have got three out of four golds, and several other good results.
–For a four years’ time have we worked like we do know with a plan for how to develop the talents, Lars says.

There is a national team for juniors: six boys and eight girls. They get good follow-up, but they also have to show that they have much more than a talent.
–They really have to want to do this.
The talent developer was born to orienteering. His first orienteering map is from an event he participated in at the age of four.

–You have been in the business for a while now. How do you feel about continuing?
–I really burn for it. In some years it could also be interesting to work with seniors, he says.

 

Photo: Erik Borg

Lars Lindstrøm is in charge of the Danish junior fairy tale with incredible results the last years.