When the FISU World University Games comes to Torino, Italy in January 2025, Ski Orienteering is included as a part of the programme.
Earlier this week, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) formally approved Ski Orienteering as one of the participating sports.
The SkiO athletes will compete for three sets of medals – sprint for women and men and a mixed sprint relay, all taking place at the venue in Pragelato.
IOF Secretary General Sondre Gullord says:
“To be included in the WUG 2025 is an important strategic achievement for the IOF and the development and visibility of ski orienteering. To have a focused and dedicated approach towards a limited number of relevant partner organisations gives results. The IOF is grateful for the strong support and collaboration with our member federation in Italy (FISO) enabling this, and the dedicated work by volunteers in the ski orienteering community lead by the IOF’s Ski Orienteering Commission.”
FISU Games Winter Director Milan Augustin says:
“Ski orienteering was, for the first time, part of sports programme at the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade in Russia. After several FISU World University Championships it will become a compulsory sport for FISU Winter Games starting in 2027 and we are very proud of it. Long-lasting cooperation with IOF (International Orienteering Federation) has been fruitful.”
More than 2.500 participants from over 50 countries are expected to participate in the World University Games, which will include at least 11 sports.
The next FISU event including Ski Orienteering is less than a month away as the 2024 FISU Championship Ski Orienteering will be held in Lenzerheide, Switzerland from January 12-16.
This will be the fourth edition with prior editions held in Tula, Russia in 2016, Tartu, Estonia in 2018, and most recently in Jachymov, Czechia in 2022.