– All the ingredients are there for a truly great Jukola. From an orienteering perspective, it can be a real diamond.
Kotka-Jukola’s mapmaker Janne Weckman does not downplay expectations for next summer’s orienteering celebration. And why would he – his experience from previous Jukolas is extensive?
Weckman was already involved as a volunteer in Vehka-Jukola 1992, organised by his club Vehkalahden Veikot, and has since competed in a total of 30 Jukola Relays. His years in VeVe’s “golden generation” produced several top-six finishes, crowned by victory in Salo in 2006.
Weckman has previously served as Jukola mapmaker twice: at Salpa-Jukola in Virolahti in 2011 and at Kangasala-Jukola in 2019. In Salpa-Jukola he also worked as course planner.
Why could Kotka-Jukola be “orienteering’s diamond”?
– The terrain is good, the courses are good, and the map is good – that already takes you a long way, Weckman says.
Physically Easier – but with a Downside
This summer’s Jukola will take place in the terrain around Kymin airfield and the Kotka motorsport centre, about a 20-minute drive from both Kotka and Hamina. The Jukola terrain is familiar to many locals, as the city’s cross-country ski tracks run through the area.
– And those who have skied there know it’s quite flat, Weckman says.
– From an orienteer’s perspective, it resembles terrain in Ostrobothnia: open bedrock and subtle contour details.
The Kotka-Jukola map has been made with a 2.5-metre contour interval.
– Normally a five-metre interval has been used here, but now it’s 2.5 metres because the terrain is so flat. In recent years, Kauhava has used the same contour interval, and the terrain there was very similar.
The Kotka-Jukola terrain is not among the most physically demanding, but easier running conditions have their downside.
– Last year in Mikkeli there was more dense vegetation and more hills, so this is physically easier. But technically it will be demanding. If you make a mistake in flat terrain, it can be difficult to relocate.
Short Distance to Everything
Weckman’s latest Jukola map goes to print in March. Most of the work was completed two years before the event, with final adjustments made last summer, and the time for any changes is now over.
At the moment, the mapmaker is working on the overall event centre map. The start and finish areas will be built at the motorsport centre’s rallycross track, parking will be located at the neighbouring airfield, and camping areas will surround it.
Kymin airfield was built in 1942 during the Continuation War for military aircraft and today mainly serves as a base for gliders. As a parking area for a major orienteering event, it is ideal: located in the middle of the forest and within short walking distance of the start and finish. Between them, the Jukola village will be built, offering restaurant and shopping services.
– The event centre is really good. It’s a short distance from parking to the tents and from the tents to the competition centre, Weckman says.
“I Thought the Record Had Already Been Set in Kangasala …”
At the time of writing, 17,650 orienteers in 3,130 teams have registered for Kotka-Jukola. When the first registration phase closed in January, more participants had registered at that stage than ever before in Jukola history. For the mapmaker, this was both expected and surprising.
– In a way, I wasn’t surprised, because it’s so close to Helsinki and easily accessible, Weckman says.
– But I must admit I’m surprised if a new participation record is ultimately reached. After Kangasala, I thought we had seen the peak – especially with the pandemic years that followed.
The participation record from Kangasala-Jukola 2019 stands at 20,632 competitors. At that time, 1,964 teams took part in the Jukola Relay and 1,721 teams in the Venla Relay.
Written by Jukka Lehtoranta