Orienteering is a sport in which people race from one place to another and compete to be the first one to reach the goal. They use a compass and map to guide them between the points marked along the route through mountains, fields, and forests. Ski Orienteering requires outstanding skiing techniques and map-reading skills, and the ability to harmonize the two. An athlete has to make hundreds of decisions at high speed during every race, deciding which route is the fastest. The map gives all the information the athlete needs, including the condition, slope and distance of the ski track.

Ski Orienteering is a sport with a long tradition.
Beginning in the 1890s, it was accepted as an international competition in 1949 and first introduced to the world at the 2011 Astana-Almaty Asian Winter Games.

Korea competed in the ski orienteering tournament at the Asian Winter Games.


A female skier, wearing the Taeguk symbol representing Korea, stood at the starting line among the burly male atheletes from Kazakhstan, Iran, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan. The rule is that if a male athlete on a Ski Orienteering team, an event without any mixed matches, is disqualified, his place can be taken by a female player. This time, that female player was Yoon Sun Son, alumnus of Kookmin University (Physical Education Department, 2001).

What made you decide to learn 'Orienteering?'

I first learned about it at a 'camping' class. The class was all about 'orienteering' together with a group of 4 to 5 students. Our teacher was a senior who had just come back to school after being discharged from the army, and he didn't let us use a compass or a map at all. I felt uncomfortable and awkward to let the class finish like that. Actually, I love to try new things and challenge myself, so I found the website of the league and registered for the leadership-training course. Now, I'm the director of the Seoul chapter of the league, and I give lectures there.

What made you compete at the Asian Winter Games?

While volunteering as director, I found out that Ski Orienteering had become an official Asian Winter Game event, and that our Seoul chapter was in charge. Since I've been Alpine skiing since I was young, and was still orienteering as a hobby, I thought I could do it. I felt 'now' is the time to grab the chance for a new 'challenge.'

Kookmin alumnus Yoon Sun Son competed on a male national team at the Asian Winter Games. She was worried because, at first, the national team was not going to participate in the male relay. But when she heard about the strategy set by the national team to become a finalist in the male relay, she decided to join. She became a member of the male national team overnight. She was a former Foot Orienteering player, and it had been only 2 months since she had learned how to do the sport on skis (Foot Orienteering is a sport in which people race between points that are marked along a route, just like Ski Orienteering, but on foot, not skis.)

You must have experienced many difficulties with Ski Orienteering since you were a former Foot Orienteering player. How was it at the beginning?

The Ski Orienteering National Team final selection process started in September and took place over 4 sessions.
In September, we learned how to ski with a roller-ski (for cross-country summer training) because there was no snow. Actually, we practiced on real snow only on weekends in December and January. I had to go to the hospital as a sports nurse, take classes at school, and work as a resident assistant (RA), so I didn't have much time to practice. Moreover, Alpine and cross-country skiing are so different. It felt like I was starting all over again. Thankfully, my colleagues at work and school understood the situation I was in. Without their thoughtful consideration, I couldn't have finished the training successfully.

It's extremely unusual for a female player to play on a Korean male relay team. How did you feel when you participated in the games?

Actually, our Korean Ski Orienteering team was planning to enter the female relay only, because there was only 1 male player. But, there were very few countries joining in the male relay competitions, and the participating teams weren't that great except Kazakhstan. That's why we decided to play in the male relay game. We set up the team by registering our coach as a player, and included me. It's a rule that one female player can join in the male relay match. I couldn't participate in the female relay match, because my speed was much slower than theirs. But thank God! The local people showed a special interest in me and sent me lots of messages of support. However, I was upset with our disappointing result.

You must have had lots of episodes during preparations for the Asian Winter Games. What was the most memorable moment for you?

After being selected as a backup athlete, the training period was quite tough up until the final selection. I needed practice, but I had nowhere to practice. I barely managed by finding places like Misari Stadium parking lot and Jamsil Main Stadium parking lot with my roller-skis. I made do with bread at every meal. You know the movie 'Take Off (국가대표)'? Our team used to talk about making a second version, which would be much better. Despite the poor training facilities, we worked perfectly together as a team, and created an enjoyable environment for training.

Please tell us all your special know-how or methods for coming to your current position as 'a national team member'.

Since I was young, I always exercised a lot: swimming, bowling, skating, golfing, skiing, mountain climbing, dancing, running marathons, cycling, etc. I tried almost every sport. I wasn't that outstanding in any of them though. Whenever people find out I'm majoring in Physical Education, they ask me what sport I can do, but I could never answer the question.

However, one day I came across Orienteering, and it was almost 'Blue Ocean' in the sporting world. My well-developed strength from exercise and my many physical skills were very helpful when I was first learning Ski Orienteering. Chance favors only the prepared mind!

If you type your name 'Yoon Sun Son' into the search engine, you'll see 'Ski Orienteering National Team Athlete.' Tell us how you think about who you are now. And how did people around you react?
It was pretty interesting. At first people around me didn't believe me when I said I am a member of the national team. So, I set my 'Kakao Talk' user name (Smart Phone chatting application) as 'Search for Yoon Sun Son on the Internet...' (laugh)

After several articles had been published, people started to recognize who I am and congratulate me. I'm so thankful to them.

What's your future plan and goal?

I want to contribute to the growth of Orienteering and introduce it to many people. I hope Korea can become known in the international Orienteering arena. I am going to produce orienteering-related materials, and write a paper. I hope I can use my skills to develop Orienteering, and make my dreams come true.

Please say a word to the students at Kookmin University.

Be proud of being a Kookmin University student. Try to be a better person, so many of your juniors can look up to you with pride as a student at KMU. We are Kookmin University students!!!

Throughout the interview, our alumnus Yoon Sun Son was very bright and cheerful. Maybe her positive thinking led her to her current title of 'National Team member Yoon Sun Son.'

I was very impressed by her attitude and willingness to accept the challenges of her many dreams with such a positive mind.