Gaute Hallan Steiwer has not studied that much the last two years. The Norwegian has been so eager to get success at the Junior World Orienteering Championships. On the middle distance, he finally got the first individual gold to Norway since 2007.

-Since New Year I have only been studying 50 percent, Gaute says.

-Is that the reason for your success?
-I could have studied a bit more and still done well, but probably it would have been hard to win for me if I had studied 100 percent, he says.

Concentrated on Denmark since last year

Last year he studied a bit more, and did not qualify for the Junior World Championships in Italy. Since that, the championships in Denmark have been his big goal. He even spent four-five weeks in Denmark since last August, both on a private training camp and training camps with the national team.

On the middle distance Gaute showed that he has learnt how to orienteer in Denmark.
-The race was so incredibly good, he says.
He had no problems during the final, not even with his contact lenses. Earlier in the championships he lost a lense both at the long distance and the middle qualification.

Three years ago in Australia Gaute’s sister Kine Hallan Steiwer took both silver individually and gold in relay. One year later she got a bronze in the relay.
-Since she has three medals, I really needed to do something this time, smiles Gaute, who will be a senior the next year.

Gaute studies in Trondheim where the World Orienteering Championships will take place in August, but he is originally from Oslo, and still represents his club from there, Lillomarka OL.

 

Photo: Erik Borg

Gaute Hallan Steiwer got the gold he has been working so hard for.