Road to WSOC – Jørgen Baklid

Jørgen Baklid

When the World Ski Orienteering Championships sets out on Tuesday with the sprint in Finland’s Kemi-Keminmaa-area, Norway’s Jørgen Baklid will begin chasing new WSOC-medals.

The reigning middle distance world champion from last year’s WSOC in Estonia has already shown, that he is to be counted among the favorites in 2022 by winning the long distance at the European Ski Orienteering Championships in Bulgaria in January.

– I hope to a play a part in the very top next week. I think I did good at last years WSOC and my shape feels great this year. I’m looking forward to getting started and I will do my best and hopefully get some great results.

And just two weeks ago, he won the sprint and pursuit races at the World University Ski Orienteering Championships (WUSOC) and finished third on the middle distance.

– I’m happy about my performances in the Czech Republic. I had some great races and brought home a lot of confidence. Actually, I think my shape has improved since then, so I really hope to have a great WSOC next week.

Jørgen Baklid

A different challenge
After going to hilly Bulgaria and Czech Republic earlier this year, Jørgen Baklid predicts the WSOC will offer a whole different challenge, when it comes to the terrain.

– I expect the terrain to be very different from ESOC in Bulgaria in January. We will probably see softer slopes and more snowmobile tracks throughout all the terrain. I haven’t done much ski orienteering in Finland, but I think it will suit me and the other Nordic athletes quite well as our terrain is very similar.

The world championships in Finland will feature four events – sprint, pursuit, middle and sprint relay from March 15 – 19.

All competitions can be followed on high quality web-tv broadcasts with English commentary.

Get your ticket on the orienteering.sport LIVE page.  

No favorite distance
And the 22-year-old Norwegian will strive to be one of them stepping up on the podium in the end of the broadcasts to receive a medal.

– I don’t have any favorite distance, so I’ll have a go for medals on all four competition days and of course it would be great to defend my gold medal from last year’s middle distance.

The World Ski Orienteering Championships in Finland will begin with the sprint distance on Tuesday at 13.00 EET (UTC+2).

Along with the seniors, next weeks championships will also serve as Junior World Ski Orienteering Championships and European Youth Ski Orienteering Championships.

The SkiOrienteering World Cup of 2022 will be decided as well, and so will the Team World Cup and the new U23 World Cup. Find the standings here.

Due to the suspension of the Russian Orienteering Federation and Belarusian Orienteering Federation, athletes from those countries will not be allowed to participate.

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