The long distances drained the energy from Kainuu Orienteering Week competitors after the rest day

Published: 02.07.2024

Kainuu Orienteering Week 2024 continued after a rest day at Joutenlampi in Kajaani. The second stage, featuring the week's longest courses, required endurance and route selection skills from the competitors. The weather varied throughout the long day from rain to sunshine.

Lotta Karhola won and moved into contention, familiar names lead the men's even series

The women's main event saw a close battle for the lead. The fastest of the day was Lotta Karhola from Tampereen Pyrintö, who had finished only 14th on the first day, with a time of 1:39:15. Marika Teini from Kalevan Rasti came second, 36 seconds behind. Third place went to Elisa Mattila from Lahden Suunnistajat, who had won the first day but lost to Karhola by 1 minute and 37 seconds today. Elisa Mattila retained her overall lead but is only 37 seconds ahead of Marika Teini. Thanks to her victory, Lotta Karhola moved up 11 places in the overall standings and is now in third place, 1 minute and 52 seconds behind the leader. The terrain at Joutenlampi proved challenging even for the top athletes, as the women's leaders finished about four minutes behind the course planner's target time.

In the men's main event, the top two from the first stage swapped positions. The fastest in the long distance was Topi Syrjäläinen from Helsingin Suunnistajat, with a time of 1:37:59. Eetu Savolainen from Ikaalisten Nouseva-Voima, who was the fastest on the first day, came second, only 18 seconds behind. Joni Hirvikallio from Koovee, Tampere, finished third, 2 minutes and 36 seconds behind the leader. Eetu Savolainen retained his overall lead, which is now only 31 seconds ahead of Syrjäläinen. Hirvikallio's strong run also moved him to third place overall, but he is already 5 minutes and 11 seconds behind the leader. The overall competition in both the women's and men's main events is tight, and the battle for the podium will be fierce in the final days of the week.

The best stand out in Joutenlampi's fast terrain and concentration-demanding courses

Today, the main events were held in different terrains than the other competitors. They used a large area mapped specifically for the Orienteering Week around Joutenlampi. The men's main event had a distance of 18.4 kilometers, while the women's was 14.6 kilometers.

Head course setter Timo Kokkonen explains that the main event courses had long legs interspersed with shorter ones. On Tuesday, the main events navigated through varied terrain: mapped green areas, as well as marshes and heathland, slowed competitors down in places, but easy-running pine forests allowed for high running speeds. This combination required not only the ability to maintain speed but also precise control point navigation.

The longest leg for the men on Tuesday was 3.5 kilometers. According to Kokkonen, route choice plays a decisive role on long legs, even though many orienteers prefer to follow a direct line from control to control.
- The best definitely stood out today, commented Kokkonen on the results.

The Orienteering Week continues after Wednesday's rest day with two stages on Thursday and Friday. It's still possible to participate in the Orienteering Week as a competitor in the open categories. The open categories are low-threshold categories that do not require, for example, a license, and you can register even on-site at the competition center. More information about the open categories.

Results:
The full results can be viewed on the start lists and results 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