Under våren får vi ett fint tillskott i verksamheten i schweiziska landslagsjunioren Leonie Mathis (-06). Leonie kommer till Nacka i slutet av februari och under ett par månader bo inneboende hemma hos familjen Ahlquist för att utvecklas som orienterare i nordisk terräng och samtidigt lära sig svenska.
Vi önskar Leonie varmt välkommen till Järla!
It’s a pleasure for me to introduce myself to Järla and I’m looking forward to training with you.
Welcome to Nacka and Järla during spring.
Tell us who you are? How old are you, where do you live, what are you doing at your days?
My name is Leonie Mathis and I’m 18 years old. With my parents Ruth and Kurt and my sister Aline (21 years old) I live in Beckenried in the central part of Switzerland near Lucerne. This summer, I graduated from high school and have been doing a gap year since then. In September 2025, I’m going to start studying veterinary medicine.
– When did you start with orienteering?
My sister got to know orienteering years ago during a taster session on vacation. She then joined the club OLG Nidwalden+Obwalden and always told me about her great experiences. I also wanted to try it out and joined the club in 2017 and started orienteering there.
– What is your best results?
My participation in international championships (3x EYOC, SAJOM, JEC) so far has been very valuable for me and I have been able to gain a lot of experience.
I achieved my best international results at the EYOC 2022 with two bronze medals in the sprint distance and in the relay as well as a top 10 result in the long distance. I was also able to run consistently at this year’s EYOC and achieved three top 10 finishes. In recent years, I have also achieved good results and several podium places at the Swiss Championships. I’m also delighted to be part of the Swiss junior national team for the second year now.
– How is the terrain where you live?
In Nidwalden and Obwalden we only have one “large” and flat forest, which is very detailed and has lots of stones. Many other forests in our region aren’t mapped because of the steep terrain. Above the tree line, however, we have alpine terrain here in central Switzerland that can also be used for orienteering.
-What are your aims and expectations with your trip?
As I have never done orienteering in Scandinavia, I would primarily like to get to know the terrain and learn what orienteering techniques are required. I would also like to meet new people and familiarize myself with your language and culture. Next summer, I will be taking part in O-Ringen, followed by a training camp in Sweden with the Swiss junior national team. It will be great to have some experience of this terrain by then.
What are your expectations and goals for this and coming seasons?
I would like to improve my orienteering skills and make further progress. One of my big dreams would be to take part in the JWOC. But my biggest goal is to enjoy orienteering and to be able to pursue my hobby even in old age.
I’m happy to send you my two favorite training maps in the attachment.
Winter greetings from Switzerland,
Leonie
Välkommen!