Discussion: Live

Pretty sure you have more experience doing that than anyone else on AP. :)

Hold a map and compass in your hand and point at them excitedly. No idea for TV.

ESPN Montana: The Ocho

More seriously I would say make sure not to have a compass for the tv one, compasses scare people. Wear something sporty and Montana-like (fleece?) to appeal to rugged Montanans. Talk about experiencing nature in a new way, exploring new areas, etc. If someone is really into maps just the mention of maps and navigating will make their ears prick up, no need to dwell. IMHO.

Totally second the compass comment, just keep repeating it is about the map and the compass is a tool.
Stress that it is a tough workout, for some reason we always worry about scaring people with how physically demanding Orienteering is, I say lean into that! It is a hard workout that you don't realize you're doing until it is over.

Not orienteering specific, but things that have helped me with TV and radio for my job:

1. Ask the reporters for advice. They want you to succeed and are used to dealing with people who don't go on TV and radio often.

2. Many people talk too fast.

3. If you have 1-3 main points you'd like to make, tell the reporter in advance. They may not ask you about all of them, but they will probably try to get at least one of them.

4. It helped me to have 2-3 main points and to have 2-3 different ways to make each of those points. A main point might be something like how the sport is about map reading and that's fun. So I'd have two or three different ways to say that:

"The most fun part of orienteering is using the map to find your way around."

"I really like being able to look at a map and then picture what the terrain would look like."

"Most people carry a compass, but really the key is to use the features on the map to navigate. Some orienteers don't even carry a compass."

That's three ways of saying the same thing. But they are different enough that you can string them together if you have enough time. Or you can use them at different places during the interview to reinforce the main point.

5. Have fun. I'm sure you'll do fine. It is easy to talk about something that you know well and care about. It just feels weird to be on TV or the radio.

I haven't done live radio, only pre-recorded. But I guess the same general ideas would work.

Speak Swedish as much as possible.

Spike’s advice is great.
I did a live radio interview during WOC 93 but that was very specific to that event.

Spike: you sounded this excited talking about municipal accounting?

Spike's advice looks good to me. I wonder if someone like Blair also has practical advice from experience?

I find live radio quite comfortable (assuming it's phone - a studio is a bit more unnatural) because in a lot of ways it's just a conversation where you are trying to explain something to someone, it's just that there's thousands/tens of thousands/millions of people on the other end. TV is a somewhat more unnatural environment but the principles around content are the same.

I'd second the advice about thinking about the key points you want to get across, and bringing the conversation around to them if you need to. You've been invited to do this because they want their listeners/viewers to know more about it, not because they want to catch you out, so they should be willing to discuss with you beforehand what the angles they'll ask about will be.

+1 to wearing something that feels outdoorsy and Montana-y.

If there is a common misconception that you want to avoid, it can help to address it directly. Otherwise people sort of just keep the misconception. For example: “people often think orienteering is about getting dropped off in the woods and trying to find your way out, but actually it’s a race through the forest. You use a map to find between 10-30 checkpoints and it usually takes between 30 minutes and 90 minutes.” Format: “people often think X, but that’s not the case. Instead...”

There is really cool research on this effect.

Could also think about what qualities you want to emphasize: community, nature, social connection, race, there always being something novel because it’s always a new challenge, etc.

Think from their perspective too. Who do you want to attract? And what might they be looking for? What needs are they trying to fill?

Start by explaining the difference between degrees and gradians and illustrate how important it is to figure that out properly. Then move to talking about bearings. Explain the difference between ball and rolling element types. If there is time left simply use it discussing about rehydrating by eating lizards and how to catch them on the move.

Be sure to point out that orienteering is not the same as geocaching. The latter is almost invariably brought up whenever I'm describing the former.

Also, make the point that orienteers do NOT use GPS for navigation (while orienteering).

One thing that I really find appealing about it is that all over the country, and all over the world, there are orienteering events, and it's a great way to see the outdoors up close while traveling. So once you get the hang of it, there's a network of people everywhere who set up these events that show off the nicest parts of their very varied forests, off trail.

A lot of the people in your audience will not be athletic in the least. But you have news for them too. It is the emotional JOY, of being out in nature, on a bright sunny morning, completely detached from civilization, and moving along, confident in your ability to get to your objective several miles away. No trail, no road, no signs....just you and nature. It can be an emotional experience!

Try and get as many Beatles song titles in as you can

"A lot of people think orienteering is following a bearing for a number of paces, repeating at different angles, and then ending up back where you started. While those are useful skills to use in some areas, they're just a small part of the orienteering experience, where the primary focus is map interpretation(smaller word?) and especially route choice. Can you choose a better route than your competition?"

Or some variation. I think a lot of people's idea of orienteering is that it's a bearing and pacing operation taught by (mostly boy) scouts. That's what I thought before actually seeing it in action and then trying it myself.

Good luck, Boris, and have fun!

I think if you combine Nixon’s and Jagge’s advice you can’t go wrong.

Like to empathize that each run is an adventure and that it is a lifetime sport.

Cool.

+1 Jagge.

You'll do great :)

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, especially Nixon and Jagge. I think it went well. I'll post a link when the thing is up on YouTube or in podcast form.

See today's episode (the first hour), starting at about 28:00: http://1029espn.com/tootell-and-nuanez-podcast/

Very, very good.

Great job!

It was really good! Usually these things are too short; I thought you had a good amount of time to explain things and encourage people. Absolutely. ;-)

Nice!

So how many song titles you got? I lost count after "The Fool On The Hill".

Did you at least mention "Norwegian Wood(s)"?

Nowhere Man and Get Back came to mind too.

Wow this is so cool actually

Terrific job guys! Can't wait for the US Champs at Blue Mountain.

Blue Mountain will be the warm-up event. Nationals at Lubrecht, 2025.

SkiO Champs?

Ski-O Champs would be at Seeley Lake. But i may need to import you, Alex, and Ed first.