Michal Smola and Eva Juřeníková winners!
(photo by Joaquim Margarido)

The launching ceremony of The North Alentejano O' Meeting Chronicles from 2007 - 2008 took place at Hotel Convento D'Alter on January 24th.
see photo reportage (by João Alves)
here.

The press conference for the presentation of the event took place on the 21st of January, at the Castle of Alter do Chão.
The president of the Royal Alter Foundation (Dr Vitor Barros) and the president of the Municipality (Joviano Vitorino) were present.

Hotel Convento D'Alter, Saturday, January 24th, at 16h30
Presentation by Álvaro Costa and autographs by Joaquim Margarido.

If you still don't have a place to sleep in Alter do Chão, take advantage from the special prices provided to participating athletes in Hotel Candelária, at 7 km from Alter do Chão.

Joaquim Margarido's book, Chronicles of Norte Alentejano O' Meeting 2007 - 2008, will be launched in Alter do Chão.
With 176 pages, where you can find eighteen texts and almost hundred and fifty pictures and maps, about Nisa and Castelo de Vide editions.
Edited by Grupo Desportivo 4 Caminhos, with text revision by Judite Delgado and graphical composition by Carlos Lisboa.
Take advantage of the launching price in Alter do Chão.

The Czech Republic's athletes
Michal Smola - 2008's World Vice Champion in Middle Distance and 13th in the World Ranking and
Eva Juřeníková - 8th in 2008's World Championships and 20th in the World Ranking
are the head figures of NAOM 2009.

Most of the prizes are, yet again, made by the famous company from Maia - Artestanho.
In addition to the super medallions, Artestanho created a new piece linked to Alter's horse.

Sport Zone's T'shirts to be offered to the athletes at the event.

During the event you can taste this excelent product from Alentejo.

The Map of the night Sprint event will have two different scales.
Participants begin the race on the 1/5.000 scale and at the end of the courses will run on the 1/1.000 scale.
The second map will be printed on the back of the sheet so that there will be no map exchange.

The Spanish Grupo Fersa sponsors the event with portable toilets.
About Group Fersa: www.grupofersa.com

Diterra, the company that markets the Almojanda products, offers miniatures of their products (olive oil and vinegar) to all participants.
The company from Portalegre, supports the event since the 1st edition.
Everything about Diterra: www.diterra.pt

On November 21th, a work meeting took place in Alter Stud Farm where the organization could coordinate with the Director Dr. Idalina Trindade and Eng. Francisco Beja.

The real operational of the Stud Farm, Eng. Francisco joined Fernando Costa on a visit to the Stud Farm fields, to identify the sensitive points to be taken into account in course setting for NAOM 2009.

During the visit, they appreciated the orienteering map created by the organization, which will also be used for other purposes than orienteering.

During the competition weekend you can take the opportunity to visit the Alter Stud Farm.

Read more (in portuguese)...

Some technical information made available, with the locations of each day's key places and map glimpses.
View in Technical Info.
Distances and climb will be made available later.

Cartographers completed the fieldwork on 21st of October.
The City of Alter do Chão, made a story on the subject.
Read more...

The NAOM 2010 will be international, integrating the world ranking of the International Orienteering Federation (IOF WRE).
Will take place in Crato, during the weekend of 20th and 21st, February 2010 and will have Aldeia da Mata as main stage.

...that in Alter Stud Farm there is a laboratory of molecular genetics?
Read more (in Portuguese)...

Read more...

Following the organization's planning, a work meeting was held in Alter do Chão, on the last 10th of October, with Professor Ricardo Gonçalves, responsible for Sport activities in the city of Alter do Chão.

The Messe Manuel Leite at the Alter Stud Farm, is the place where the cartographers of the maps of NAOM 2009 will be hosted (Armando Rodrigues and José Baptista).
It is a space reserved for the accommodation of teachers and lecturers, with quality and ability to receive events of the Protocol of State.
Includes a library dedicated to the equestrian theme.

GD4C established a cooperation protocol with O-PORTUGAL.
The concept of this project is to provide the best training oppurtunities and conditions for athletes visiting Portugal during the winter.

Read more in O-Portugal's site:
http://www.o-portugal.ori-estarreja.com/packageNAOM.html

SportZone sponsors the event's T-Shirt as well as the organizations's sweatshirts.

On June,28th, "Chão do Prior" was inaugurated, a new Rural Tourism in the North Alentejo, located in the village of Amieira do Tejo, municipality of Nisa. One more fine chance of accommodation during your stay in the Alto Alentejo to participate in NAOM
Link to portuguese newspaper.

Read more...                                                                  

The event center will be installed in Álamo's Palace, right in the center of Alter do Chão.

The organization, with support from Alter do Chão's municipality, will provide free sleeping floor in Alter do Chão's Municipal Pavillion. Participants must bring their own mattress and sleeping bag.

The excellent facilities of the University of Evora in Alter do Chão's node, will serve as headquarters of the organization during the event. The council of Alter do Chão, has provided to various federations completion of trainings, taking the best advantage of this university centre, such as the federations of fencing and rugby.

The Noticias de Castelo de Vide Blog, wich, in 2008 was one of the OCS that more promoted the event, renews the support for 2009's edition.

On May, 30th, the first coordination meeting with the Municipal Council of Alter do Chão took place.
The meeting was attended by GD4Caminhos's President and the Vice-Mayor of Alter do Chão.
In the photo, Dr Mafalda Sadio and Fernando Costa.