Kaisa Mäkäräinen, a six-time medalist at world championships and a three-time winner of the overall Biathlon World Cup, has been appointed patron of Youth Jukola 2026.
“I agreed to serve as patron of Youth Jukola 2026 because I believe it is important to support youth sports, and I think young people need role models also from outside their own sport. The Kontiolahti Biathlon Stadium is an important place for me, where I have competed in several World Cup events as well as the 2015 World Championships. The surroundings of the stadium offer excellent orienteering terrain for Youth Jukola, with many clear landmarks and a network of trails that support beginner orienteers,” Mäkäräinen says.