Positions for the Final Stage of Kainuu Orienteering Week Sought at Joutenlampi

Published: 04.07.2024

At Joutenlampi, competitors raced at high speed on Thursday's shorter courses as they sought starting positions for Friday's concluding races of Kainuu Orienteering Week 2024.

Once again, high-quality terrains and courses were offered, and chief course planner Timo Kokkonen considered the day's terrains to be the best of the week. In the main categories, the men's pace was about 5 minutes per kilometer, and the women's was just under 6 minutes per kilometer.

Results

In the men's main category, the fierce second battle continued between Eetu Savolainen from Ikaalisten Nouseva-Voima and Topi Syrjäläinen from Helsingin Suunnistajat. The difference between the leaders of the Orienteering Week was only 5 seconds in favor of Savolainen. Savolainen will start the final pursuit race with a 36-second lead over Syrjäläinen.

Olli Ojanaho from Helsingin Suunnistajat, who placed third in the first race, returned to the Orienteering Week competition by taking third place again, 48 seconds behind the leader. Ojanaho did not participate in the week's second race and is therefore not in the overall competition.

After the third race, Aaro Aho from Valkeakosken Haka, who placed fourth today, rose to third place in the overall standings of the Orienteering Week, trailing the leader by 9 minutes and 12 seconds. Aho overtook Joni Hirvikallio from Koovee in the overall competition, who finished 21st today and will start the final race 9 minutes and 57 seconds behind the leader. Hirvikallio is only 45 seconds behind Aho and the third place, so the battle for the third place will also be intense on Friday.

In the women's main category, Elisa Mattila from Lahden Suunnistajat-37 was clearly the fastest with a time of 33:06. Veera Laaksoviita from Kalevan Rasti, originally from Suomussalmi, came second, 59 seconds behind Mattila. Venla Taulavuori from Tampereen Pyrintö took third place. Elisa Mattila will start the pursuit race with a 2-minute and 19-second lead over Marika Teini from Kalevan Rasti. The winner of the long-distance race, Lotta Karhola from Tampereen Pyrintö, who placed 14th today, will start the final race from the third position.

Veterans Appreciate Kainuu's Terrains and Competition Spirit

Many long-term orienteers have participated in the Kainuu Orienteering Week for several decades. The couple Elli and Pentti Pelkonen, representing Keski-Karjalan Rasti, have participated in over thirty Orienteering Weeks. This year, Elli is competing in the D85 category, and Pentti, who will change categories next year, is competing in the H90 category. In the same category as Pentti, Kalle Leppänen from Rasti-E4 is also competing, having participated in more than thirty Orienteering Weeks.

The trio praises the Joutenlampi terrains, stating that they are suitable even for the elderly.

"An orienteer must adapt to the terrain," says Kalle Leppänen. "You orienteer according to what the terrain and your condition allow."

The trio hopes to attract more young people to the sport and competition. The categories for the elderly have more participants than those for middle-aged people, the seasoned competitors lament. The largest category in terms of participants at this year's Kainuu Orienteering Week is the men's 75-year-old category.

"You can easily get hooked on orienteering," laughs Elli, who is well-versed in the sport.

Art Encountered at Orienteering Week

This year, a new kind of collaboration has been made with the Art Route of Hope alongside the Orienteering Week store. This collaboration has brought art to the checkpoints in the forest, as well as to the kids' area and the KRV store.

At the end of the week, all nine artworks familiar to the orienteering week visitors will be auctioned off. More information about the auction: https://www.rastiviikko.fi/ajankohtaista/KRV-Kaupan-huutokauppa-Taidevaltatie-Toivon-taiteilijoiden-taideteoksista

Results

Complete results on our results and start lists page.

For more information:
Chief of Competition: Jarmo Kämäräinen, +358 40 726 8983, kilpailunjohtaja@rastiviikko.fi
Secretary General: Jukka Liuha, +358 44 7679 533, jukka.liuha@rastiviikko.fi
KOW Office: +358 44 512 3517, info@rastiviikko.fi
Website: www.rastiviikko.fi