In the men’s relay, Finland’s first team finished fourth in orienteering at the Junior World Championships in the Czech Republic.
The youth world championships in orienteering received a golden decision for the Finns in the Czech Republic, when Elli Punto, Virna Pellikka and Eeva-Liina Ojanaho won the relay world championship overwhelmingly on Saturday.
The Czech Republic took no fewer than five of the six medals on its home field in the women’s individual cross-country trips of the Games and went into the women’s competition as the overwhelming pre-favorite.
Punto brought Finland to the first exchange in third place. In the second leg, Pellikka put Finland on top and let Ojanaho go one minute ahead of the Czech Republic.
– I knew that if I just focus, I can do this. At the beginning, I looked through the track and noticed that there are really precise points on the track, where you don’t have to rush, and it doesn’t help to slow down, Pellikka said In the orienteering association’s bulletin.
Finland quickly jumped to a lead of more than three minutes in the anchor section. Ojanaho finally brought Finland to the overwhelming world championship with a two-minute margin of victory.
– Just last night, I was calling my mother and I was horrifying the anchors from other countries who are running with me. Mother just said that it’s not worth bowing to them, even though they’ve been better on other trips, Ojanaho explained.
The relay silver went to Norway, and the Czech Republic had to settle for bronze.
In addition to the women’s relay world championship, Punto won gold in the sprint. In the men’s relay, Finland’s first team finished fourth.