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Blick: You could say you are the Bernhard Russi of orienteering, have you ever heard this comparison?
Simone Niggli Luder: This must be due to the role of an expert commentator (laughs). No one has ever told me so directly. But I’ve already had a lot of positive reactions, of course that makes me happy.
Exactly, and you also work as a tracklayer. Parallel to his TV role, Russi was also a route builder.
Oh yes, that’s right. For me it’s the first time I’m with a World Cup tracklayer. It was a long process. We are a team of four and we first sat together two years ago.
What exactly happened in those two years, were you often in Flims in the woods?
Yes of course. And a lot at the counter. You have the cards and you try to optimize. But then you have to go back to the site to look. It was back and forth and very exciting.
For the athletes, the forest was a forbidden zone so as not to gain an advantage. Are the athletes not allowed to go into the forest there for two years?
Even longer. Since the World Cup was awarded. That was almost four years ago. The restricted area is first determined on a large scale. And now, for the World Cup, certain parts have gradually been released, for example for the selection runs.
How do you ensure that the athletes do not enter the area?
It is above all a matter of honor. But of course we were often out and about in the woods. Not to play cop, but for course planning and card taker. If we had seen anyone, it would have resulted in a disqualification.
You are still very fit. Is it true that you defeated 17-time Swedish world champion Tove Alexandersson (30) this spring?
Yes, there was a national run in the Solothurn region, where she also started. But you shouldn’t overestimate that, she did it as a training match and made a mistake. But that’s right, my level is still good. I have to look at my feet a little bit, I can’t walk that much anymore, but the processes are still there.
But you don’t just have Alexandersson, but other big names too, right?
I was, I think, a third party or something, yes. But like I said, don’t overestimate it.
It’s still impressive, so you’re still doing a lot for your fitness?
I just like doing it. I train a little every day. Because I can’t walk as much anymore, I cycle a lot, exercise in the water or do something else for my fitness. But much less for the idea of performing, but to make me feel good.
Would it even have been possible in theory to keep up at the World Cup?
No no no. I do not believe that. The Solothurn run was just an exclamation point, nothing more. If I do top sport, I just want to do it 100 percent anyway. That’s why I don’t run in elite categories anymore. Exceptionally, I had to participate in the said run because we had a selection run for a relay race. I also run in the senior category (laughs).
On the role of expert on TV: what experience have you had with the microphone so far?
After my retirement in 2013, I quickly joined. It’s probably six or seven years of experience now. In the beginning I also commented for Swedish television for a year.
It is a completely different discipline than top sport. How did you find your niche?
I had to learn to be very spontaneous. You should only respond to what you see in the photo. For example, I am not allowed to reveal something that I only see on the GPS. And at first I had no idea if I was going to do it right. But as a resident of Bern I have certain advantages, I think the spectators like to hear us.
Did you enjoy hearing your voice from the beginning?
No, not yet! I can’t watch the shows (laughs). My husband does, I don’t.
About your influence in orienteering. At the 2003 World Championships in Rapperswil-Jona you won four gold medals, 23 in total. Before that, TV broadcasts in orienteering were unthinkable. You could do a lot there.
Yes, but I only realized after my career that my successes had an impact. It makes me proud that this has brought orienteering to the people. In 2003 a ball was certainly set in motion. Because of my successes, but also because of the good marketing of this World Cup.
In the same year, 2003, you became Swiss Sportswoman of the Year. When you think back to the gala, did you think you would be chosen as an orienteer?
No, that was intense. Only that I came first in the top 10. And then in the evening itself it was blatantly obvious. It wasn’t just the journalists who voted and were able to properly classify a performance. But also the viewers, for whom it is also about sympathy.
In addition, in 2020 you were named the third best Swiss athlete of the year in the last 70 years. How important is this award?
This is almost more important than the individual titles. Especially since it was a few years into my career. It is impressive to me that the OL and my name are connected. Sometimes I still don’t believe that I should be among the best Swiss athletes. It moves me.
How do you think orienteering has developed since then?
It’s definitely more professional. I was one of the first to fully commit to orienteering and practice it as a job. There aren’t many more athletes than there used to be, but there are more who put sport first. If you say you do OL today, people will know what it is. Orienteering has become a recognized sport in Switzerland.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
