A shared direction in the forest and at work – 61N Solutions part of Kotka-Jukola

Everything starts with movement – that moment when the map is turned the right way and the first decision must be made. The Jukola relay is not just a message passed between competitors, but a continuous chain of choices where each decision moves the team forward or off the route. The same way of thinking is surprisingly familiar in the daily life of 61N Solutions.

When a company joins the Kotka-Jukola partnership, it is not only about visibility at the event, but about an environment where the operating logic feels natural. In the forest, observation, situational awareness and the ability to make decisions in motion are emphasized – qualities that are also needed in the security and technology sector.

In Kotka, 61N Solutions acts as the host of the sixth leg, at a time when night gives way to morning and the race intensifies. At the same time, the company’s own participation is visible through two teams. For them, Jukola is not just a weekend event, but a process that begins with preparation and culminates in a moment where everyone does their part – for shared success.

What made you join the Jukola relay partnership specifically at Kotka-Jukola?

“We have several people in the company for whom Jukola is already a familiar event, so joining felt natural. The spirit of Jukola is also close to what we value ourselves: being active in nature, a sense of community and a suitable level of competitiveness.

We wanted to support the event, but at the same time Jukola is an interesting environment for us because it brings together many like-minded people.”

What do the Jukola relay and its values mean to you as a company?

“What speaks to us in Jukola is that it is simultaneously an individual performance and a collective team effort. Everyone does their part, but the result is created together.

As a company, we recognize a lot of the same in our daily work: persistence, practical execution, succeeding together and having ambition without unnecessary formality.”

You are hosting the sixth leg – why did this leg feel natural for you?

“Of course, the start would have been a spectacular place, but the sixth leg has its own unique character. It usually takes place in the morning, when the long night turns into day, the sun rises and the competition tightens in a new way.

This year the leg also seems quite fast-paced, which makes it interesting. It offers a good combination of speed, pressure and decisive moments.”

Do you see similarities between the nature of this leg and your own work?

“Yes, to some extent. In the sixth leg, you need to perform well in a situation where the race is already fully underway and there is less room for mistakes. You need speed, but at the same time you must maintain composure.

The same idea is familiar in our work: things must move forward efficiently, but decisions still need to be made carefully.”

You are entering as many as two teams – where does this strong enthusiasm for Jukola come from?

“There are probably many factors behind it. We work in the defense and security sector, so through our clients the operational environment is close to everyday life. It has likely attracted people who enjoy nature and want to challenge themselves.

In addition, Jukola has become a shared thing for us. Last year’s tough Jukola created shared experiences and stories, and this year many people are joining both to run and to follow the event.”

How does orienteering or physical activity in general appear in your company culture?

“Physical activity is quite naturally present, but not through any single sport. People engage in many different activities in their free time, we participate for example in the Kilometrikisa as a company and support exercise through employee benefits.

Orienteering has been visible this spring as preparation for Jukola, but in a broader sense it is more about active living being a natural part of everyday life for many of us.”

How have you prepared for the Jukola relay – both physically and mentally?

“The pace of preparation clearly increases as the event approaches. We also have first-timers involved, so preparation has included learning the basics of orienteering and building confidence.

Physically it is about maintaining basic fitness, but mentally the focus is on being able to start your own performance calmly and make your own decisions without unnecessary rushing.”

Has there been anything special or surprising in the preparation?

“Perhaps the fact that the event begins to live within the company well before the actual weekend. With two teams involved, Jukola is not just a single sporting event but also a shared topic and an anticipated milestone in the spring.

It has been nice to see.”

Your work emphasizes observation, analysis and decision-making. Do you see the same elements in orienteering – and how do they appear in your daily work?

“Yes, we do. Although much of what we do is traditional IT and ICT work, the context of the operating environment makes it in many ways surprisingly close to orienteering.

The goal is to keep the decision-making cycle short and operations agile. In the forest, this appears as continuous observation of the surroundings, evaluating your position and route options, and making decisions in motion. At work, the same logic appears in a different form, but the way of thinking is familiar.”

Can something from the Jukola relay be applied to the security and technology sector?

“Certainly. At least the idea that not everything is solved with one big effort, but that a good result is built from several well-timed observations and decisions.

Jukola also reminds us that preparation, situational awareness and composure are often at least as important as speed. The same applies in the security and technology sector.”

What are you most looking forward to during the Kotka-Jukola weekend?

“We are simply expecting a great weekend. Jukola is a unique event and it is a joy to be part of it.

Our own teams are probably most looking forward to that moment when the shoes go on, the headlamp is switched on and they get to perform. That is when the tension usually settles and the focus shifts to doing.”

What makes Jukola a unique event in your opinion?

“Jukola combines competition, atmosphere, nature and community in an exceptional way. It is a large event, but at the same time it has something very distinctive and recognizable.

For many, Jukola is not just a competition, but also a tradition and an experience that they want to return to.”

What tips would you give to first-time participants?

“The first piece of advice is probably not to blindly follow others in the forest. Others may not know any better where they are going.

Another good thing to remember is that the actual distance in the forest often feels longer than what the map suggests, so you should not exhaust yourself right at the beginning.

And otherwise: just go for it. Everyone eventually comes out of the forest.”

And for more experienced orienteers – where should they look for the decisive advantage?

“For more experienced orienteers, the advantage often comes from composure and rhythm. You do not need to win everything in one go, but at the right moments you must be able to maintain speed.

Often what decides is not one spectacular success, but consistently making good choices throughout the entire performance.”

Is there anything else you would like to say to the Jukola audience about your participation or about 61N Solutions?

“For us, participating in Jukola is a natural way to be part of an event whose values feel familiar. At the same time, it is an opportunity for us to present 61N the way we want it to be seen: competent, modern and approachable.

And with two teams involved, it also has a clear internal meaning for us. Jukola is not only an outward-facing partnership, but also a shared experience within our own team.”

Welcome to Kotka. Welcome to Kotka-Jukola.