A Prieview for the World Cup 2024 Final in Lastukoski
The Orienteering World Cup Final is just around the corner.
The Lastukoski area in Nilsiä will be in the center of international orienteering sports in the coming week: from Thursday, September 26, to Sunday, September 29, the orienteering world elite will be in Nilsiä, Kuopio for the end of the season. The Orienteering World Cup Final 2024 includes two individual races in middle and long distance as well as a relay on Sunday.
Three thrilling competitions are expected at the World Cup Final in Lastukoski,where the overall 2024 Orienteering World Cup titles will be decided. In the women’s race, Swiss Simone Aebersold is racing for her first overall World Cup victory, with another Swiss Natalie Gemperle as second and Sweden`s Tove Alexandersson in third place respectively. In the men’s race, Norway’s Kasper Harlem Fosser took the lead in Hungary being 80 points ahead of the Swedes Martin Regborn and Emil Svensk, who is just 25 points behind Regborn.
In the Team World Cup, Switzerland has a commanding lead after EOC, while Norway and Sweden may have a close battle for second place. Finland is in fourth place with more than 500 points behind Sweden.
World Cup conclusions in a typical Savonian terrain
According to the course setters, the terrain will provide a fairly comprehensive picture of the Savonian terrain, but hopefully also some surprising challenges during the long and middle distance races. The World Cup Final offers a conclusion for the season with the relays.
“My message to the competitors is to enjoy still on Sunday! Believe it or not, but the courses themselves are unlikely considered exceptionally challenging. As always in relays, the challenge is above all created by the competitors around you. And sometimes situations where there is no one around.”, states course setter Olli-Jussi Korpinen on Sundays race.
Spectators will be able to follow the competition live on the competition center on all the three days and in addition to this, there are possibilities for spectator races in middle distance as well as recreational orienteering during Saturday and Sunday. Separate information for these two possibilities are being published.
At the same time, the teams will get a foretaste for the 2025 World Orienteering Championships in the Kuopio-Tahko area.
World elite meets national orienteers
In addition to the three World Cup races for the almost 300 runners from 32 nations, two national competitions will also be held in Lastukoski on Saturday and Sunday. This will result in a unique meeting of the absolute orienteering world elite with national athletes and recreational orienteers alike – and hopefully also many spectators.
Live broadcast on Yle
The competitions will be broadcast live in different countries. The relay and the middle distance race of the weekend can be followed live, among others, on the Finnish national tv Yle:
Long distance: 12:30 – 16:30 (local time)
Middle distance: 12:30 – 16:00 (local time)
Relay: 11:00 – 15:00 (local time)
IOF web TV link with further information can be found in the Livecenter of IOF at:
https://orienteering.sport/event/world-cup-final-2/welcome/
The World Cup program in overview:
Thursday, September 26, 2024 Long distance, Lastukoski
Saturday, September 28, 2024 Middle distance, Lastukoski
Sunday, September 29, 2024 Relay, Lastukoski
Detailed programme and information concering the World Cup Finals can be found from Bulletin 4.
And what is the weather forecast for the weekend? Right now it seems that we might expect some rain with temperatures around a typical autumn weather, varying from +8 to +15 degrees. As a spectator, it might be good to have some warm and water resistant clothing on.
Looking forward to seeing You all in Lastukoski next week !
Photo: Eszter Koscik
