Kainuu Orienteering Week kicked off in Ohravaara – Elias Kuukka and Veera Klemettinen took the victories on the first day

Published: 29.06.2025

Kainuu Orienteering Week began on Sunday for the 57th time in Sotkamo, in the terrain of the Vuokatti hills.

In rainy weather, the men's victory went to Elias Kuukka from Tampereen Pyrintö with a time of 1:10:35. The main class course length was 8.7 kilometers.

Second place went to Aaro Aho of Valkeakosken Haka, 2:02 behind the winner, and third was Emil Jansson from Paimion Rasti, 3 minutes 59 seconds behind.

In the women's main class, there were some mistakes. The victory went to Veera Klemettinen from Suunta Jyväskylä, who completed the 6-kilometer course in 1:03:15.

Second place went to Saila Kinni of Tampereen Pyrintö, 2 minutes 38 seconds behind the winner. Third place was claimed by Tiina Niemi from Rastikarhut, 3 minutes 14 seconds behind.

Porttivaara offered orienteering challenges for all ages

The first race in the terrain of Porttivaara provided plenty of challenges and slow terrain for orienteers of all ages. Instead of speed, both competitors and recreational runners needed precision in their performance.

Race director Antti Flöjt predicted a highly navigation-focused week.

– The course setters have done a great job: the terrain tests both the competitor’s movement ability and orienteering skills. And it’s the orienteering skill that plays the decisive role, he stated.

The event in Ohravaara is organized by Sotkamon Jymy, which last hosted the orienteering week in 2019 in Tipasoja. According to Flöjt, the first day of the week went smoothly in terms of organization.

Rainy weather caused some challenges for parking and traffic. The number of shuttle buses will be increased for the coming days.

Nevertheless, Flöjt said he was relieved with how the first competition went. He gave major thanks to the self-organized volunteer team.

Eyes also turning toward Vuokatti-Jukola

In the neighboring terrain of the orienteering week, Kainuu’s first Venla relay and Jukola relay will take place in two years. During this week, orienteers will get a preview of the terrain for that major event in the Vuokatti hills.

According to Flöjt, Vuokatti-Jukola is clearly on the minds of both runners and organizers.

– The orienteering week is a great opportunity for the organizing team to test their capabilities and to build a sense of community toward organizing a major event, he said.

A record number of international participants have joined the Sotkamo Orienteering Week, with competitors from 22 countries. Adding to the excitement of early July are also the home World Orienteering Championships in Kuopio, which will be held the week after the orienteering week.

– I'm sure the majority of our participants will also follow the World Championships in Kuopio.