The Most Important Part — Before the Book Is Out

 

The Most Important Part — Before the Book Is Out

I know some people tend to skip the intro sections of a book — honestly, I sometimes do too. 🙂
But that’s usually where all the thank-yous go. So I’d like to share mine here, in advance, before Confident Orienteering Book 2: Planning Reliable Routes comes out on October 22, 2025.

Huge thanks to everyone who helped bring this book to life.
It’s been a true team effort — and it simply wouldn’t be the same without your support.

Many of you were already part of the journey with Confident Orienteering Book 1: Fundamentals, and I’m genuinely grateful that the team stayed together (and even grew!).
Thank you for your work, your feedback, your ideas, and your patience — it means a lot.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The first book of the Confident Orienteering Practical Guide took a year and a half to finish; the second — almost two years.

In some ways, Book 2 felt easier: the process was familiar, and I knew readers were waiting. That knowledge gave me strength and joy. At the same time, it made the task more serious — I didn’t want to fall below the level set by Book 1. Even with experience, the work still demanded time, patience, and full attention. I truly hope the wait was worthwhile for you.

For almost two years, I have had the privilege of working with the same team that created Book 1. Every day of that journey has been deeply fulfilling. We have exchanged countless ideas and messages — and you have given the book your experience, your heart, and hundreds of hours of your life.

It has been a pleasure to work with professionals who not only love orienteering but truly understand it from many angles. Each of you brought a unique perspective shaped by years as athletes, coaches, leaders, cartographers, or advisers. Yet you grasped my vision immediately, respected it, and helped me express it with clarity and simplicity. You treated these ideas with genuine care and carried them to readers in the best possible way.

My first and deepest thanks go to my wife, Svetlana Alekseyonok. Even though you’re not an orienteer, 29 years together have given you a real feel for the sport. Your contribution as a designer and artist has been invaluable — you created the layout, graphics, and cover. Beyond that, you offered honest feedback, constant encouragement, warmth, and, above all, unwavering faith in this project. Without you, this book would not exist. Your love made it possible — even as it was born in the difficult context of forced migration.

To Dzmitry Davidovich, Siargey Pisarchyk, Aleksei Alekseyonok, and Andrei Yakauleu — friends of more than three decades: you have always been deeply dedicated to orienteering.

Dzmitry and Siargey, having thoughts in your head is one thing — expressing them clearly in writing is another. You helped me structure the ideas and shape the narrative into something coherent and fluid.
Aleksei, you drew on your experience as an elite athlete and skilled cartographer to bring the maps and example scenarios to a high level of realism.
Andrei, your careful and consistent approach to translation helped preserve the meaning and tone of the original Russian, laying a solid foundation for later work with native English editors.

For three and a half years, you supported and encouraged me — as mentors as well — and helped make the work stronger. And we’re not done yet — Book 3 lies ahead, and I’m glad we’ll travel that road together. Our Monday meetings will continue — along with the running log of brief weekly notes we've kept all this time.

To our English editors, Clive Allen and Ross Burnett — your international experience, your deep involvement in orienteering over many years, and your ongoing passion for the sport were present in every comment, suggestion, and message.

Many of the concepts had no ready wording in English; we had to shape the language ourselves. You found clear phrasing, kept the examples relevant, and made the text flow naturally. Your attention to detail and sense of style lifted the book to another level.

Just as importantly, you helped me sustain a non-prescriptive tone — one that doesn’t instruct or dictate but proposes, suggests, and invites reflection. I was learning this tone myself throughout the process, and it was an important lesson for me. From the start, we shared the belief that this book should not “teach” in the traditional sense but open up ideas, offer perspective, and respect the fact that readers may have different views on navigation.

Again and again, I was reminded how unique the orienteering community is. When I asked for help, people responded quickly, generously, and wholeheartedly. The core team that formed during Book 1 continued into Book 2 without hesitation. When I needed test readers or someone to review maps, one online post brought exactly the right number in just a few days. Such openness is rare, and I’m grateful to be part of this community.

To Ainars Lagzdins — although you were new to the project, you joined with confidence and care. You reviewed around 140 map figures and made sure they followed IOF mapping standards. Knowing that someone with your World Championship mapping experience had checked them gave me real confidence they are accurate and up to date.

To our test readers — Klas Karlsson, Louise Fairfax, Mark Burley, and Stefan Tembea: your long-standing international experience was of great value. Your thorough review confirmed that the book’s ideas and terminology are understandable and clear — a crucial reassurance before publication. You didn’t just read the book — you immersed yourselves in it and reviewed the text with the care and precision of editors. No exaggeration. Your attentive reading and thoughtful feedback made the text clearer, sharper, and easier to follow.

Finally, I’m proud of this book — not only as my work, but also as the result of many people’s effort, energy, and care. Even many years from now, I’m sure I’ll open it with joy and gratitude, remembering how we created it together. By then, new and better books will surely appear — and that’s how it should be. But this one reflects the very best I could achieve today, and that makes me happy.

To everyone mentioned here — and to those whose names may not be written but whose support helped along the way — thank you. Every bit of help mattered.

With love for orienteering,
Aleksandr Alekseyonok
October 2025