Kainuu Orienteering Week kicked off in Säynäjä – stage 1 victories taken by Marika Teini and Miika Kirmula
Published: 28.06.2026
Kainuu Orienteering Week kicked off in Säynäjä – stage 1 victories taken by Marika Teini and Miika Kirmula
Photo: Milla Mäkinen / Kainuu Orienteering Week 2026
Kainuu Orienteering Week kicked off for the 58th time on Sunday in Suomussalmi, introducing participants to the pine forest terrains of Säynäjä for the very first time. In the men’s elite category, Miika Kirmula of Kalevan Rasti took the victory in warm weather, completing the course of just over 10 kilometers in a time of 54:39.
"I haven’t orienteered much in these parts, so the terrain surprised me with how demanding it was," Kirmula commented after his performance.
Kirmula also had some fatigue in his legs, as on the day before the Kainuu Orienteering Week, he ran the opening leg in the Pre-Jukola relay in Vuokatti, where Kalevan Rasti took a clear victory in the men's category. After Kainuu Orienteering Week, Kirmula mentioned he will be heading to Gothenburg, Sweden, for O-Ringen.
In the men's elite category, Ruslan Glebov of Turun Metsänkävijät finished second, 2 minutes and 39 seconds behind the winner. Uldis Upitis, also representing Turun Metsänkävijät, came in third, trailing the winner by 2 minutes and 53 seconds.
In the women's elite category, a stellar winning performance was seen as Marika Teini of Kalevan Rasti clocked the fastest time on the 7-kilometer course, finishing in 50:10. She faces a demanding schedule ahead, as after Kainuu Orienteering Week, Teini will travel to the Fin5 orienteering week in Salla, which also serves as the selection trials for the World Cup in the Czech Republic.
Second place in the women's elite went to Mira Kaskinen representing Rastikarhut, 4 minutes and 13 seconds behind the winner. Sanna Kauppila of Lahden Suunnistajat orienteered into third place, finishing 7 minutes and 25 seconds after the winner.
The women's elite category saw a smaller number of entries than usual this year, as many top names skipped the event, likely due to the upcoming selection trials in Salla.
Demanding terrain offered plenty of orienteering challenges in Säynäjä
The first stage in Säynäjä demonstrated the diversity of the terrain to the orienteers. The race terrain varied from fast-paced pine forests to tougher hill sections and heavy marsh crossings. On top of the hills, challenges were brought by sparse areas that lacked clear distinct features.
"I hope our diverse terrains challenge the orienteers," Competition Director Jari Anttonen anticipated regarding the progress of the week.
The event organizer in Säynäjä is Suomussalmen Rasti, which last hosted the orienteering event in the summer of 2021 at the Haverinen ski centre. This year, Kainuu Orienteering Week was set up in Säynäjä with the help of around 300 volunteers. According to Anttonen, it was easy to get volunteers involved in the arrangements.
"Even at the very last minute, plenty of new people joined in. The different sectors were also active in recruiting team members," Anttonen says.
