The orienteering season has only just begun. Unfavorable weather at the start of spring did not allow for many competitions, so the so-called Ultralong was one of the first events of the season. What is more, for Stanisław Pachnik it was his first major competition in the junior category.
Coach Dariusz Pachnik:
Long-distance orienteering competitions have their own characteristics. First of all, the start is mass-start (everyone starts simultaneously), whereas on other distances the start is staggered. The course length and the number of control points far exceed those of all other orienteering events, which somewhat discourages competitors who are less prepared for the season, although this year there were exceptionally many competitors in some masters categories.
The weather was exceptionally favorable this time. Dry, sunny, a light breeze and a temperature of about 20 degrees—practically ideal running conditions. At exactly 10:00, the women’s and men’s elite categories set off, followed 10 minutes later by the juniors. To prevent competitors from running in the so-called train (running without navigating and relying solely on a rival’s skills, which is not permitted), the organizers used several so-called split controls (points visited by individual competitors in different orders).
The leading group formed fairly quickly, and our Staś was in it from the beginning. At one point, after the last “split,” three competitors were in the lead: Grzegorz Porzycz from UKS Azymut 45 Gdynia, Michał Nowak from Orientuś Łódź, and Staś. The proximity of the finish caused the competitors to focus more on watching one another than on running and navigating—and they made a mistake. In accordance with a slightly altered version of the saying “when three fight, the fourth benefits,” Maciej Andrzejczak of Azymut Pabianice took the lead and did not relinquish it. He won the gold medal.
The previously mentioned trio remained in contention for the two medals. Before the final control point, Staś attacked and reached it first, but took a heavy fall. He recovered quickly. When it seemed that he would win the silver medal, Michał Nowak launched a final attack. Staś did not have enough strength to defend his position and lost the fight for silver literally in the final meters.
Even so, this is the biggest success of his career, achieved immediately on such a demanding distance and on terrain that was so physically challenging. The nominal course for this category was over 11 km with 310 m of elevation gain, but in reality, without major mistakes, Staś ran over 13 km, and the elevation gain reached nearly 400 m. So it was no walk in the park for 15- and 16-year-old boys. The winner ran the course in 77.52 minutes. Staś finished with a time of 79.23.
Alongside his orienteering career, Stasiu also practices athletics at MKS Bolesłavia under the guidance of coach Dariusza Łomańskiego. He was responsible for preparing him physically for this event. The team was also supported by Daniel Najdek, who also supported Staś during the training camp.
Technical preparation was handled by his coach and his brother, Wojciech Pachnik, who is 12 years older and was also a Polish Championships medalist in the past. We extend special thanks to the management and teaching staff of the II Private Lower Secondary School named after Janusz Baranowski in Bolesławiec. Thanks to their understanding and extensive individualization of the curriculum, Staś can pursue his sporting dreams.
D. Pachnik adds:
As we have already mentioned, Staś is also an athlete, and this season he won the indoor Lower Silesian runner-up title in the 1,000 m, as well as a silver medal at the Lower Silesian Cross-Country Championships. Most recently, on March 24 in Nowa Sól, he won a bronze medal at the Inter-Voivodeship Championships for Younger Juniors—also in the 3,000 m cross-country race.
His nearest plans are qualification for the European Junior Orienteering Championships, while his athletics goal is qualification for the autumn Polish Championships in the 2,000 m.
Taking this opportunity, we invite those who know what orienteering is—and those who do not—to our Tajemnice Dolnego Śląska competition, which will take place this weekend: first in Dworek near Lwówek Śląski, and on Saturday and Sunday in the forest by Jeleniogórska Street, with the competition center at Leśny Potok.
Further information is available at www.orientpark.plhttps://www.orientpark.pl/ Iwiny. The competition will feature Poland’s best junior competitors, because the Polish Orienteering Federation, recognizing the organizational standard and the qualities of the local terrain, has designated the qualifying races for the Junior World Championships to be held at this competition.
For supporters of the istotne.pl portal (the first ten people), participation in the open category is FREE. The competition is co-organized with MOSiR Bolesławiec.