Miika Kirmula won the men’s long distance bronze at the European Orienteering Championships in Hungary.
Matti Lehtisaari,
Jouko Vuolle
18.8. 18:50•Updated 1:09
Miika Kirmula organized a happy Finnish surprise in orienteering at the European Championships in Hungary. Kirmula took bronze in the men’s long distance and thus grabbed his first individual medal.
Norwegian Kasper Fosser celebrated the European Championship and the Swiss Daniel Hubmann up to silver. Fosser beat Hubmann by almost four minutes. Kirmula was four and a half minutes behind the leader.
Kirmula had to wait for her medal until Sweden’s Emil Svensk reached the finish line. In the end, Svensk was a good half minute behind Kirmula.
Kirmula was stuck in fifth place at the beginning of the race, but picked up her pace and rose sweetly to the medals.
Hard dawn in the heat of over 30 degrees
The 29-year-old Kirmula has three World Championship silver medals in his trophy cabinet, but now he also got a personal medal.
– I was able to implement my own good orientation. Go slow and save a little in the beginning. In the end, I was able to take it more directly, Kirmula said.
The competition, which took place in the heat of over 30 degrees, was tough.
– All my strength was left for the journey. It was painful to run, especially uphill. I had apparently taped my ankles too tight for the steep slopes. There must have been some blows in Kivikko, Kirmula described.
Kirmula was spared from big bumps.
– I’m satisfied, although of course there were some things to complain about. There were moments of 20-30 seconds on a few crossings when I couldn’t quite understand all the steeps.
On Saturday, Kirmula stopped the middle distance race after a little reflection. On Sunday, the atmosphere was completely different.
Eighth place again for Venla Harju
Venla Harju finished eighth in the women’s long distance. Harju thus achieved the same ranking as on Saturday in the middle distance battle.
Swedish Tove Alexandersson celebrate an overwhelming championship. Second guided Switzerland Simona Aebersold was four minutes behind Alexandersson. Norwegian Andrine Benjaminsen took EC bronze.
Miia Niittynen was the 10th and Maija Sianoja 14:s. Marika Teini had to interrupt again.
The European Orienteering Championships will end with the men’s and women’s relays on Tuesday.
Updated at 21:25: Miika Kirmula’s comments added to the news.
GENTLEMEN
1. Kasper Fosser NOR 1.37.13
2. Daniel Hubmann SUI + 3.44
3. Miika Kirmula FIN + 4.34
14. Eetu Savolainen FIN + 11.58
19. Akseli Ruohola FIN + 14.26
23. Aaro Aho FIN + 15.16
24. Teemu Oksanen FIN + 15.45
29. Veli Kangas FIN + 17.23
38. Aarni Ronkainen FIN + 20.58
LADIES
1. Tove Alexandersson SWE 1.25.43
2. Simona Aebersold SUI + 4.04
3. Andrine Benjaminsen’s NOR + 6.51
8. Venla Harju FIN + 15.56
10. Miia Niittynen FIN + 17.12
14. Maija Sianoja FIN + 19.03
28. Hanne Hilo FIN + 24.29
29. Maiju Oksanen FIN + 25.00
44. Veera Laaksovita FIN + 29.17
45. Siiri Silvennoinen FIN + 29.18
57. Sabina Aumo FIN + 33.28