Introducing WOC Course Setter – Marko Uotila

Who are you?

Marko Uotila, a 58-year-old naprapath from Kouvola. My family includes my wife and two children.

Your best memory from your work as a course setter?

The best memory so far is from Sippu-Jukola 2005, where I served as the course setter for the Jukola relay and partially as a mapmaker. Being a course setter for Jukola is almost every course planner’s dream, including mine. My goal was to create a varied and exciting competition that would be decided through orienteering. That’s exactly what happened when Emil Wingstedt from Halden SK and Thierry Gueorgiou from Kalevan Rasti started the last leg almost simultaneously. The victory was ultimately decided after both runners made small mistakes, leading to Kalevan Rasti’s win.

The most unusual event in your course-setting history?

Perhaps the most unusual event is also related to Sippu-Jukola and its opening leg. Between controls 1 and 2 was the first radio control point, where Antero Viherkenttä was quietly reporting the events. Kalevan Rasti’s opening runner Harri Romppainen was the first to pass the point, but no one else could be seen or heard. Only about a minute later did the next competitors arrive. At that moment, I wondered what had happened out there and what might come of it.

The biggest challenges in course-setting work?

The most challenging aspects are likely coordinating different operations and courses, planning TV checkpoints, and dealing with possible terrain usage restrictions. However, the most difficult part might be last-minute changes that significantly affect course plans—luckily, these are quite rare.

What motivates you in course setting?

What motivates me the most is setting new and different challenges for myself. I want to offer orienteers varied tasks, and the best reward for me is satisfied competitors.

Your role in the World Cup or World Championships?

Course setter for the WOC Middle Distance competitions.