The start arrangements for Kainuu Orienteering Week 2026 will change in upcoming summer. Instead of the six start areas used in recent years, there will again be five. This marks a return to the previous, traditional way of organizing the starts.
From now on, all the longest courses and elite classes at Kainuu Orienteering Week will start from Start Area 1. This change allows Start Area 1 to be positioned further away from the competition centre and in more challenging terrain if needed.
From Start Area 2, the youth B-classes and some adult A- and AL-classes will start. In addition, participants who previously started from the former Start Area 3 will also be moved to this area.
The new Start Area 3 will include the Open RR (formerly called Family RR) as well as the children’s and youth classes H/D8–14.
In summer 2026, the long open classes—B-long, A-short, A-medium, and A-long—will start from Start Area 4. The short open classes—C-short, C-long, B-short, and B-medium—will start from Start Area 5.
As a result of this change, Kainuu Orienteering Week will have three combined starts for competitive classes and two for recreational classes. The reduction in the number of start areas is motivated by more efficient use of organizational resources and the growth in the number of recreational participants, which has risen to almost the same level as competitive participants.
Start Times for Competitive and Children’s Classes
For competitive classes H/D16–95, pre-selected start times will be used, except for classes H/D16–21E, where start times are pre-assigned. Start times for children’s classes H/D8–14 are also pre-assigned.
Participants in competitive classes H/D16–95 can choose their start times starting from week 24, for approximately one week. If a participant does not select a start time, a time will be assigned from the remaining options. The pre-assigned start times for classes H/D16–21E and H/D8–14 will be published before the selection of pre-chosen start times begins.
The 58th Kainuu Orienteering Week will be held in the stunning wilderness terrain of Säynäjä, Suomussalmi, from 28 June to 3 July 2026
The first and most affordable registration tier for Kainuu Orienteering Week 2026 closes at the end of November, on 30 November 2025. By registering now, participants can save over 40% on entry fees compared to the final registration tier for competition categories and on-site prices for open courses (recreational classes).
