Many hours of orienteering action await in the coming weekend, June 18-19, when expected 20.000 orienteers will compete at the Venla and Jukola relays in southwestern Finland.
The traditional Jukola relay is held for the 73rd time, while Venla relay celebrates its 44th anniversary in the forests outside Mynämäki north of Turku.
The terrain is fairly flat but containing rocky hillsides with many details, that will definitely test the runners map reading abilities in high speed.
Last year, Swedish Alfta-Ösa OK won a clear victory in the Venla relay ahead of IFK Göteborg and Järla Orienterings women.
The Jukola relay saw Stora Tuna OK win 58 seconds ahead of IFK Göteborg and Helsingin Suunnistajat finishing third.
This year, Venla’s four-legged relay kicks off the action at 14.00 EEST (UTC +3) Saturday afternoon, while Jukola relay is set to begin at 23.00 and with the expected winner to cross the finish line at 06.50 Sunday morning.
Both relays are available with English commentary at IOF LIVE – get a ticket for 21 EUR for both broadcasts with a classic Venla/Jukola feeling.