Pursuit races culminate the 56th Kainuu Orienteering Week
Published: 05.07.2024
The exciting 56th Kainuu Orienteering Week concluded with a rainy finale at Joutenlampi in Kajaani on Friday. In the elite categories, the day’s competitions were fierce chase starts based on the overall competition results.
The Leaders in the main Elite categories maintained their positions
In the women's main category, Elisa Mattila from Lahden Suunnistajat-37 claimed victory. She started the day’s course 2 minutes and 19 seconds ahead of Marika Teini from Kalevan Rasti. Mattila's race was consistently strong, preventing Teini from catching up from behind. Mattila crossed the finish line 2 minutes and 47 seconds ahead of Teini. Lotta Karhola from Tampereen Pyrintö finished third, trailing the leader by 5 minutes and 4 seconds.
At the finish, Mattila stated that she took a cautious approach to the race she started with a clear lead. Her strategy succeeded, and she secured the win with an error-free performance. Mattila described the entire Orienteering Week as very fast-paced, emphasizing that it was crucial to keep focused on navigation at all times despite the high speed.
In the men’s category, Eetu Savolainen from Ikaalisten Nouseva-Voima won with a flawless performance. He started first, just 36 seconds ahead of Topi Syrjäläinen. Over the 11.5-kilometer course, Savolainen significantly extended his lead over Syrjäläinen, with whom he had been competing in a tight second-by-second race all week.
Savolainen mentioned that he started at a fast pace right from the beginning.
“The conditions for the day were so tense and the gap to Syrjäläinen was so small that there was no other option to consider. My run went well today, and the rain helped maintain the pace. It went quite nicely,” commented the winner of the men’s main category.
The decisive moment between the men came at the start when Syrjäläinen, starting in hot pursuit, made a one-minute mistake at a control point early in the race. After that, he fell decisively behind.
“Although the end went well, the leaders made no mistakes, and the situation was clear,” Syrjäläinen noted.
Aaro Aho from Valkeakosken Haka finished third in the men's main category, 17 minutes and 22 seconds behind the leader.
Traditional Kainuu Orienteering Week succeeded again, next year in Sotkamo
This year, Kainuu Orienteering Week saw 4,000 participants, one of the best numbers in recent years. About 300 volunteers helped organize the week-long orienteering celebration. The event director and chairman of the organizing club, Kajaanin Suunnistajat, Jarmo Kämäräinen, was pleased with the week’s success.
“Everything went as planned, even better. Thanks to all participants and especially to our fantastic volunteer team,” Kämäräinen expressed his gratitude.
Next year, the Kainuu Orienteering Week will be organized by Sotkamon Jymy in Vuokatti.
More information about next year: https://www.rastiviikko.fi/2025.
Results
Top performers in the main Elite categories:
H21E: 1. Eetu Savolainen, IkN-V, 2. Topi Syrjäläinen, HS + 3 min 48 s, 3. Aaro Aho, ValHa +17 min 22 s
D21E: 1. Elisa Mattila, LS-37, 2. Marika Teini, KR +2 min 41 s, 3. Lotta Karhola, TP + 5 min 4 s
H20E: 1. Oskari Rannila, LapVi, 2. Jussi Ankelo, MSParma +4 s, 3. Elias Ronkainen, JRV +12 s
D20E: 1. Silja Kemppi, EsSu, 2. Veera Turakainen, Lynx +9 s, 3. Emmi Virtala, PIF +4 min 34 s
H18E: 1. Eero Sorsa, KR, 2. Sommi Sivil, S-JKL + 1 min 54 s, 3. Väinö Haara, HS +10 min 12 s
D18E: 1. Elli Kyläkoski, TuS, 2. Kiia Kuusikko, Pohjant +7 min 14 s, 3. Lotta Nivukoski, LapVi +11 min 54 s
H16E: 1. Joakim Savinainen, RasKu, 2. Veeti Viippola, SoJy +9 min 43 s, 3. Johannes Orhanen, RasKu +9 min 46 s
D16E: 1. Ida Koskinen, RaN 2. Linda Mononen, KR +11 min 28 s, 3. Helmiina Similä, Pohjant +17 min 32 s
Overall results can be found from start listst and results website.
Additional 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
