Alfta-Ösa won the 2017 edition of Venla after a very strong team effort. Alfta-Ösa was in the lead already out from the start – and except for some trouble at the third leg the Swedish team was in the lead all the way until the finish.
Swiss OL Norska took the first ever podium place for a Swiss team after a fantastic performance by Simone Niggli at the third leg where Niggli took OL Norska all the way into a one minute lead to Alfta-Ösa.
On the last leg Alfta-Ösa’s Natalia Gemperle was too fast for OL Norska, catching Sabine Hauswirth and increasing the gap second by second. Behind Stora Tuna’s Tove Alexandersson was chasing, but a gap of 3:54 on the start of the leg to one of the world’s very best orienteers was too much for Alexandersson this time. Gemperle was alone in the lead also at 10Mila this year but missed in the very end there – giving the victory to Alexandersson. This time Gemperle did the right thing towards the end of the relay, and could run Alfta-Ösa in to a clear victory.
For OL Norska this was a great result – the team aimed for a Top10 ahead of this year’s Venla – and a second place was way above expectations.
Leg 1: Vinogradova takes the first leg
Galina Vinogradova started the great day for Alfta-Ösa with returning first after the first leg with a 26 second gap down to Keuruun Kisailijat and with only 8 teams within 2 minutes. Several of the top favourites lost a lot of time – with Halden at +5:35, SK Pohjantähti at +6.44, Koovee at +6.50 and TP at +9:21.
First out, first in on Venla first leg for Galina Vinogradova & Alfta-Ösa. https://t.co/DNqmyrCGN1 #jukola #venla pic.twitter.com/dhejam9lOK
— jankoc (@jankoc) June 17, 2017
1 | Alfta ÖSA OK (6) | 45:38 | Galina Vinogradova | 45:38 | ||
2 | Keuruun Kisailijat (188) | +26 | Sari Anttonen | 46:04 | ||
3 | OK Tisaren (16) | +1:13 | Lilian Forsgren | 46:52 | ||
4 | IGTISA (26) | +1:25 | Irina Nyberg | 47:04 | ||
5 | Järla Orientering (19) | +1:28 | Emma Klingenberg | 47:06 | ||
6 | Pan-Kristianstad (27) | +1:29 | Nicole Ljungdahl | 47:08 | ||
7 | Angelniemen Ankkuri (29) | +1:30 | Heini Saarimäki | 47:08 | ||
8 | Hiidenkiertäjät (17) | +2:18 | Annika Rihma | 47:56 | ||
9 | Ol Norska (32) | +2:20 | Sarina Jenzer | 47:58 | ||
10 | Pargas IF (46) | +2:42 | Yvonne Gunell | 48:20 | ||
11 | Stora Tuna OK (7) | +2:42 | Anna Mårsell | 48:20 | ||
12 | Rastikarhut (75) | +2:44 | Suvi Ylikylä | 48:22 | ||
13 | Lynx (24) | +2:58 | Karoliina Sundberg | 48:36 | ||
14 | MS Parma (11) | +3:53 | Tuulia Viberg | 49:31 | ||
15 | Södertälje Nykvarn Orienter (63) | +3:54 | Jana Knapova | 49:32 | ||
16 | IFK Göteborg (10) | +3:57 | Ingjerd Myhre | 49:36 | ||
17 | OK Linne (14) | +4:01 | Riina Kuuselo | 49:40 | ||
18 | IK Hakarpspojkarna 2 (92) | +4:08 | Anna Dvoryanskaya | 49:47 | ||
19 | OK Orion 2 (97) | +4:16 | Myrra Carlsson | 49:54 | ||
20 | Nydalens SK (35) | +4:17 | Marion Huber | 49:55 |
Leg 2: Heikka increases gap to 4 minutes for Alfta-Ösa
Alfta-Ösa’s Josefine Heikka increased the gap to more than 4 minutes. Swiss OL Norska is closest at 4:05 – with many teams behind OL Norska also in the battle for the top positions.
Looking very good for Alfta-Ösa. 4 minutes lead ahead of Swiss OL norska. Still open, though.. #venla #jukola https://t.co/MmaAJkBRfl pic.twitter.com/RPbSwjsomH
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017
1 | Alfta ÖSA OK (6) | 1:29:52 | Josefine Heikka | 44:14 | ||
2 | Ol Norska (32) | +4:05 | Silje Ekroll Jahren | 45:59 | ||
3 | Paimion Rasti (9) | +4:13 | Emma Silvennoinen | 44:06 | ||
4 | OK Tisaren (16) | +4:58 | Ellinor Eriksson | 47:59 | ||
5 | Hiidenkiertäjät (17) | +5:41 | Jenny Patana | 47:37 | ||
6 | Rastikarhut (75) | +5:42 | Tuija Kuusela | 47:13 | ||
7 | OK Kåre (12) | +5:47 | Kajsa Risby | 44:31 | ||
8 | Kangasala SK (30) | +5:55 | Outi Hytönen | 44:07 | ||
9 | Tampereen Pyrintö 2 (34) | +6:11 | Anni Haanpää | 44:19 | ||
10 | IFK Moras OK (33) | +6:46 | Olha Panchenko | 45:46 | ||
11 | Södertälje Nykvarn Orienter (63) | +6:59 | Vendula Horcickova | 47:19 | ||
12 | Stora Tuna OK (7) | +7:11 | Magdalena Olsson | 48:43 | ||
13 | MS Parma (11) | +7:17 | Anastasia Rudnaya | 47:38 | ||
14 | Göteborg Majorna OK (5) | +7:23 | Viktoria Erntsson | 46:45 | ||
15 | IGTISA (26) | +7:27 | Vesta Ambrazaite | 50:15 | ||
16 | SK Pohjantähti (3) | +7:30 | Heini Wennman | 45:00 | ||
17 | NTNUI 2 (69) | +7:34 | Ingrid Guldbrandsen | 45:26 | ||
18 | Pan-Kristianstad (27) | +7:35 | Nelly Carlsson | 50:20 | ||
19 | Göteborg Majorna OK 2 (41) | +7:38 | Runa Fremstad | 46:53 | ||
20 | Pargas IF (46) | +9:35 | Frida Lönnberg | 51:07 |
Leg 3: Simone Niggli runs OL Norska into the lead
Early on the third leg Alfta-Ösa’s Sara Eskilsson makes a big mistake early on the course, and OL Norska with Simone Niggli gets down from more than 4 minutes to only 48 seconds behind already after 2.8 km. Niggli runs a fantastic leg – passing Sara Eskilsson and giving OL Norska a one minute lead with one leg to go. A fantastic performance by the Swiss veteran who retired from international top orienteering several years ago. Can we get the first victory ever by a team from Switzerland?
Niggli runs fast for OL Norska – Alfta-Ösa misses severa minutes. Suddenly only 48 seconds lead #venla #jukola https://t.co/1DNgqcxWX0 pic.twitter.com/VSuKlnj2RM
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017
And suddenly Niggli is first & alone! Amazing – picking 4 minutes on Alfta-Ösa and running away in the lead #venla #jukola pic.twitter.com/Metn4B0deB
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017
Swiss OL Norska first with one leg to go in Venla after great leg by legend Simone Niggli. First Venla victory ever for Switzerland? #jukola pic.twitter.com/O58I5Ul85N
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017
1 | Ol Norska (32) | 2:09:46 | Simone Niggli | 35:48 | ||
2 | Alfta ÖSA OK (6) | +1:03 | Sara Eskilsson | 40:57 | ||
3 | Stora Tuna OK (7) | +3:54 | Julia Gross | 36:36 | ||
4 | Tampereen Pyrintö 2 (34) | +4:53 | Sonja Kyrölä | 38:36 | ||
5 | IFK Moras OK (33) | +4:56 | Denisa Kosova | 38:04 | ||
6 | Paimion Rasti (9) | +5:55 | Saara Norrgrann | 41:35 | ||
7 | MS Parma (11) | +6:14 | Tiia Miettinen | 38:51 | ||
8 | Rastikarhut (75) | +7:15 | Laura Jakobsson | 41:26 | ||
9 | Hiidenkiertäjät (17) | +7:31 | Anu Åkerman | 41:44 | ||
10 | Göteborg Majorna OK (5) | +7:57 | Anna Forsberg | 40:28 | ||
11 | Halden SK (1) | +8:05 | Hollie Orr | 36:13 | ||
12 | SK Pohjantähti (3) | +8:16 | Sofia Haajanen | 40:40 | ||
13 | Koovee (4) | +9:45 | Miia Niittynen | 39:00 | ||
14 | Pan-Kristianstad (27) | +9:47 | Elin Carlsson | 42:05 | ||
15 | OK Kåre (12) | +9:56 | Matilda Andersson | 44:02 |
Last leg: Gemperle takes Alfta-Ösa to victory
On the last leg Natalia Gemperle did a great run for Alfta-Ösa, catching OL Norska’s Sabine Hauswirth and increasing the gap second by second. Behind Stora Tuna’s Tove Alexandersson was chasing, but a gap of 3:54 on the start of the leg to one of the world’s very best orienteers was too much for Alexandersson this time. Gemperle was alone in the lead also at 10Mila this year but missed in the very end there – giving the victory to Alexandersson. This time Gemperle did the right thing towards the end of the relay, and could run Alfta-Ösa in to a clear victory.
Last leg with a tricky start – Alfa-Ösa in the lead after 2.8 km, OL Norska just behind. @ToveAlexanderss closing in at +3:39 #jukola pic.twitter.com/HjN1jmWZWN
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017
Natalia Gemperle running away in front for Alfa-Ösa – gap of 1:26 to OL Norska now. @ToveAlexanderss not getting much closer #venla #jukola pic.twitter.com/hrQDgleqpq
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017
This looks quite safe for Alfta Ösa's Gemperle for Venla victory, but it isn't over until the finish, ref. #10mila #jukola pic.twitter.com/fh4y0hBKEt
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017
Alfta-Ösa wins Venla relay after great last leg by Natalia Gemperle! OL Norska in second with best ever Swiss result https://t.co/xCarVLWd1d pic.twitter.com/CLWTgWz4O3
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017
Final results
1 | 6 | Alfta ÖSA OK | SWE | 3:00:12 | |||
1 Galina Vinogradova | 45:38 | ||||||
2 Josefine Heikka | 44:14 | 1:29:52 | |||||
3 Sara Eskilsson | 40:57 | 2:10:50 | |||||
4 Natalia Gemperle | 49:21 | 3:00:12 | |||||
2 | 32 | Ol Norska | SUI | 3:01:35 | |||
1 Sarina Jenzer | 47:58 | ||||||
2 Silje Ekroll Jahren | 45:59 | 1:33:58 | |||||
3 Simone Niggli | 35:48 | 2:09:46 | |||||
4 Sabine Hauswirth | 51:48 | 3:01:35 | |||||
3 | 7 | Stora Tuna OK | SWE | 3:02:00 | |||
1 Anna Mårsell | 48:20 | ||||||
2 Magdalena Olsson | 48:43 | 1:37:04 | |||||
3 Julia Gross | 36:36 | 2:13:40 | |||||
4 Tove Alexandersson | 48:20 | 3:02:00 | |||||
4 | 34 | Tampereen Pyrintö 2 | FIN | 3:08:27 | |||
1 Lotta Eerola | 51:44 | ||||||
2 Anni Haanpää | 44:19 | 1:36:03 | |||||
3 Sonja Kyrölä | 38:36 | 2:14:40 | |||||
4 Simona Aebersold | 53:46 | 3:08:27 | |||||
5 | 9 | Paimion Rasti | FIN | 3:10:29 | |||
1 Nina Temjakova | 50:00 | ||||||
2 Emma Silvennoinen | 44:06 | 1:34:06 | |||||
3 Saara Norrgrann | 41:35 | 2:15:42 | |||||
4 Ida Marie Näss Björgul | 54:47 | 3:10:29 | |||||
6 | 1 | Halden SK | NOR | 3:10:55 | |||
1 Jo Shepherd | 51:13 | ||||||
2 Eva Jurenikova | 50:24 | 1:41:38 | |||||
3 Hollie Orr | 36:13 | 2:17:52 | |||||
4 Elena Roos | 53:02 | 3:10:55 | |||||
7 | 12 | OK Kåre | SWE | 3:11:17 | |||
1 Vilma von Krusenstierna | 51:09 | ||||||
2 Kajsa Risby | 44:31 | 1:35:40 | |||||
3 Matilda Andersson | 44:02 | 2:19:43 | |||||
4 Lisa Risby | 51:33 | 3:11:17 | |||||
8 | 33 | IFK Moras OK | SWE | 3:11:47 | |||
1 Anastasia Trubkina | 50:52 | ||||||
2 Olha Panchenko | 45:46 | 1:36:39 | |||||
3 Denisa Kosova | 38:04 | 2:14:43 | |||||
4 Kristin Löfgren | 57:04 | 3:11:47 | |||||
9 | 11 | MS Parma | FIN | 3:12:17 | |||
1 Tuulia Viberg | 49:31 | ||||||
2 Anastasia Rudnaya | 47:38 | 1:37:09 | |||||
3 Tiia Miettinen | 38:51 | 2:16:01 | |||||
4 Maija Sianoja | 56:16 | 3:12:17 | |||||
10 | 3 | SK Pohjantähti | FIN | 3:12:52 | |||
1 Anna Haataja | 52:22 | ||||||
2 Heini Wennman | 45:00 | 1:37:23 | |||||
3 Sofia Haajanen | 40:40 | 2:18:03 | |||||
4 Marika Teini | 54:48 | 3:12:52 |
The start & ahead of the race
There they ran! Somebody has to be first. And somebody last. Venla & #jukola for everybody pic.twitter.com/O6n1hKFDvD
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017
Can OL Norska become first Swiss team to win Venla? Jenzer, Jahren, Niggli, Hauswirth. Strong team! Enough to make Simone nervous :) #jukola pic.twitter.com/nOFe654RJc
— WorldofO.com (@worldofo) June 17, 2017