okansas.blogspot.com

okansas.blogspot.com
Occassional thoughts about orienteering

Thursday, July 03, 2003

Jørgen = Lance?

Rostrup's home page has an article comparing Rostrup to Armstrong. The comparison the editor points out is that both have been criticized for being mechanical/robot like and not emotional/enthusiastic enough. (If you can read Norwegian, check it out).

Comparing and contrasting -- thinking in analogies -- can be a good way to learn (and can be entertaining). So...

A few ways Joergen and Lance are alike:

1. Both have won the biggest races in their sports more than once. Armstrongg has a world championship to go with four Tour de France wins. Rostrup has four world champ gold medals (two at Junior WOCs).

2. Both compete in "suffering" sports.

3. Both spend a lot of time preparing in relevant terrain. Armstrong rides the main stages of each year's TDF in the late spring. Rostrup moved to Finland before the 2001 WOC and has been spending time in Switzerland this year.

4. Both are (or at least have been) sponsored by car companies. Lance shows up on TV driving a Subaru. I'm guessing he's getting paid a lot to endorse Subaru. I don't know the details of Joergen's car sponsorship. If I had to guess, I'd say he gets the use of a car from a car dealership. Here is a photo of his car in Finland.

5. Both have had "near death" experiences. Armstrong's cancer survival is well known. Rostrup was on a ferry boat that caught fire. He was asleep at the time and had to escape through smoke-filled halls.

A few ways Joergen and Lance are not alike:

1. Armstrong is rich. Rostrup isn't (though Joergen Maartensson once said that he'd become rich on experiences).

2. Armstrong's sport is more of a team sport. Armstrong couldn't win the TDF without a strong team. Orienteering is an individual sport.

3. Armstrong is a good bit older than Rostrup. I think Lance is 32. Rostrup is 25. Lance's physical peak is probably behind him. Rostrup's peak is probably ahead of him.

4. Want to get in touch with Lance? Try finding his agent. Want to get in touch with Rostrup? His phone number is on his home page. Lance is a celebrity with people who control access to him. Rostrup might be well known by orienteers, but I bet he doesn't get recognized on the street.

5. Armstrong's sport isn't half as fun as Rostrup's.

posted by Michael | 8:12 PM

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