Course of the Year 2025: 7, 6, 5 …

We continue our countdown in Course of the Year 2025: In 7th place we find the Finnish Championships Long distance, in 6th place we find the JWOC Sprint and in 5th place we find the Maximus O Meeting Stage 1. Two challenging long distance courses in very different terrain – and one hilly sprint course with many tricky legs. 

See below the results for lucky voters and sponsor prizes.

7th place: Finnish Championships Long distance is a course that gave the runners many interesting route choice challenges in interesting Nordic terrain. One of these legs was featured on Day 4 of Route to Christmas with more than 400 drawn route choices by the readers. The rest of the course is definitely worth a closer look as well!

“- Legendary Ponsa as terrain. Challenging and very physical. Long legs with a variety of route choices, where your execution and personal strengths matter. And to crown everything, that 7 to 8 leg – I just recommend to everyone mass start from control 7 – what a beauty. (Nominated by Joni P)”

6th place: JWOC 2025 Sprint Men is the second course from JWOC 2025 in the Top 10!  The course offered very challenging orienteering in a hilly terrain with narrow streets and many tricky, short legs that really challenged the athletes.

“- Very interesting course in a small village with narrow alleys on a steep slope. (Nominated by Samuele T)”

5th place: The middle distance of Maximus O Meeting was named Course of the Year 2024 – this year the long distance of the Maximus O Meeting on Stage 1 took the 5th place. This looks like a great long distance course, with lots of interesting, truly challenging the runners from start until finish. One of the legs from this course was also featured in Route to Christmas on Day 9, with nearly 400 drawn routes.

“- The course had all the important features of a long distance – good routechoices, variable and tough terrain and a lot of different kinds of orienteering challenges. The terrain was quite special due to it having 5-6 completely different terrain types around a almost 300m high hill in the middle of the map varying from super fast open pine forest to tricky bouldery slopes and to some old plantations. Also a large amount of really big boulders in weird places makes the terrain interesting. (Nominated by Tommi H)”

“Lucky voter” sponsor prizes

We continue by drawing “lucky voter” sponsor prizes for another three of our sponsors (please check out all the sponsors below the results):

• Software sponsor: OCAD Orienteering 3-year Single User license. OCAD Orienteering is all you need to produce orienteering maps and set orienteering courses – also perfect in combination with the new OCAD App!
  • Lucky voter: Fredrik Bjernulf
• JK International Festival of Orienteering, April 3rd – 6th.  The UK’s biggest Orienteering Festival returns in 2026, in Scotland for only its second visit there in 25 years! Three individual stages (Sprint, Middle, Long) which are all World Ranking for the elite, followed by an exciting Relay competition with categories for all ages. 
  • Lucky voter: Paul Wimberley
• Lipica Open, March 7th – 11th 2026. Traditional season starter in the region that gave Karst its name. Enjoy Slovenian karst terrain already in March.
  • Lucky voter 1: Carlit Tolkko
  • Lucky voter 2: Christoph Furer

Here are the “lucky voters” from the first round:

• 27th Grand Prix of the 4th Artillery Regiment, May 16th -17th 2026. An exciting 2-day competition in forest pine tree, sand dune terrain in the coastal area between Figueira da Foz and Nazaré in Portugal- including a sprint moment.
  • Lucky voter: Maria Florencia Llera
• Kapa 3days 2026. July 3rd-5th. The largest orienteering event in the Baltics with over 2000 participants annually, in one of the most technical and demanding terrains in Latvia, featuring detailed contours, complex vegetation, and subtle route choices.
  • Lucky voter 1: Arild Andersen
  • Lucky voter 2: Marek Karm
• Fjord-o 2026. July 1st – 5th.  An orienteering week by the beautiful Sognefjord in Norway, featuring three forest stages in demanding, fast running mountain terrain with stunning views, and one sprint stage at the fjord.
  • Lucky voter: Elin Neuenschwander

All lucky voters will receive an e-mail about how to claim the “lucky voter”-prize when all the “lucky voters” have been published.

Results: Course of the Year 2025

5. Maximus O Meeting 2025 Stage 1 M21SE     10110 points	.
6. JWOC 2025 Sprint Men     9650 points	.
7. Finnish Championships Long 2025 M21E     9330 points	.
8. OOcup 2025 – Stage 4 M21E     8600 points	.
9. JWOC 2025 Sprint Relay Leg 1     8010 points	.
10. WOC Long 2025 W21E     7950 points

Software sponsor: OCAD Orienteering 3-year Single User license

• Prize offered: One 3-year runtime Single User license for the software “OCAD Orienteering”. Value about 435 EUR. Transferable to other person (before activation).
• More information: OCAD Orienteering: All you need to produce orienteering maps and set orienteering courses. Perfect in combination with our new OCAD App! The OCAD App is a further development of the OCAD Sketch App and allows not only sketching but also direct editing of the map. Background maps, GPS positioning, and a compass can be used to determine your exact position in the terrain. Map projects can be transferred from the Desktop version of OCAD to the OCAD App and synchronized again after mapping. Discover the OCAD App at https://www.ocad.com/app

Event sponsor: JK International Festival of Orienteering, April 3rd – 6th (UK)

• Prize offered: A package of 4 starts at the three individual races on 3-5 April (Sprint, Middle, Long). For 4 seniors this is a package value of 400 EUR.  Transferable to other persons.
• More information:  The UK’s biggest Orienteering Festival returns in 2026, in Scotland for only its second visit there in 25 years! Three individual stages (Sprint, Middle, Long) which are all World Ranking for the elite, followed by an exciting Relay competition with categories for all ages. The stunning surroundings of Highland Perthshire promise to deliver a fantastic backdrop for competitors to enjoy as they take on some of Scotland’s best orienteering terrain. Come and visit a competition next door to the mountain where contours were ‘invented’, surely somewhere every orienteer should visit! Webpage: https://www.thejk.org.uk/

Event sponsor: Lipica Open, March 7th – 11th 2026 (Slovenia)

• Prize offered: 2 packages, each for 2 people – consisting of entry to complete 5 Day Lipica Open competition. Value up to about 340 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
• More information:  Traditional season starter in the region that gave Karst its name. Enjoy Slovenian karst terrain already in March. More at www.lipicaopen.com

Event sponsor: 27th Grand Prix of the 4th Artillery Regiment, May 16th -17th 2026 (27º GP RA4)

• Prize offered: Entry package for 5 persons, for 27º GP RA4. The total value of the prize is EUR 285. Transferable to other persons.
• More information: 27º GP RA4 competition will be held in a forest pine tree, dune sand terrain – “Praia do Osso da Baleia”, in the coastal area between Figueira da Foz and Nazaré. Our club organized there one WRE in February 2013. We will offer 2 technical and challenging forest courses. Also a sprint moment in the small town of Pombal. All new maps!! More information here: https://eventos.coc.pt/27gpra4/ (information to be updated during December; see also the portuguese registration platform)

Event sponsor: Kapa 3days 2026. July 3rd-5th (Latvia)

• Prize offered: Two family entry packages to Kapa 3days, each including entry for two adults and two children, tent space at the event campsite, and a car parking voucher. Approximate total value: 250 EUR. Fully transferable.
• More information:  Kapa 3days, the largest orienteering event in the Baltics with over 2,000 participants annually, celebrates its 39th edition! In 2026, we head to Tartaks in eastern Latvia – one of the most technical and demanding terrains in the country, featuring detailed contours, complex vegetation, and subtle route choices. The event center will offer a kindergarten, a relaxed atmosphere with evening live music, and an exciting sprint relay on Day 2. Bring your family to enjoy high-level orienteering and the stunning natural landscapes of Latgale! This year’s event page: https://2026.kapa.lv. Facebook page: https://facebook.com/Kapa3days.

Event sponsor: Fjord-o 2026. July 1st – 5th (Norway)

• Prize offered: 1 package, consisting of 2 free participations for the whole Fjord-O (4 competitions) in any class (competition classes or open courses). Total value up to 200 EUR.
• More information: International Orienteering Week in Sogndal, Norway. Enjoy Sprint in Sogndal village by the beautiful Sognefjord. Three forest stages in demanding, fast running and stunning views in mountains and birch forest. Enjoy the rest day with fjord cruise, glacier or mountain hiking, or mountain biking. Team challenge for the kids. Eirik Langedal Breivik will be the course setter for races 3 and 4, world champion on middle distance and relay at the 2025 World Championships in Kuopio!We can offer stunning scenery and newly drawn maps. Fast running forest and mountain terrain. Overall competition with one sprint and three forest distances. Short distance to the races: Day 1: Sprint in Sogndal center, Day 2-4: 2x long distance, and middle distance– arena Sogndal Ski Center – only 15 min from Sogndal. Accommodation at O-camp at Stedje camping, in apartments on campus, campsites or in Sogndal Ski Center (arena days 2-4). Touch Free EMIT stamping system every day. The following entry steps are: 15th March 2026 / 22d June 2026 / day before race day. Webpage: https://www.fjord-o.com/

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Event sponsor: 58th Kainuu Orienteering Week (KOW), June 28th – July 3rd (Finland)

• Prize offered: 4 packages, each consisting of 2 free participations for the whole week in any class (competition classes or open courses) at Kainuu Orienteering Week 2026. Total value up to 920 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
• More information:  Open and International Orienteering Week in Säynäjä, Suomussalmi, Finland. Welcome to the beautiful pine forest terrain of Säynäjä, Suomussalmi – the perfect place to enjoy both orienteering and a summer holiday. The competition area is located about 15 km southeast of Suomussalmi, right next to the Säynäjäsuo Mire Conservation Area. The terrain represents the characteristic Kainuu landscape: long ridges, steep sandy slopes, and open mires alternating with areas of gently rolling forested hills. High-quality maps and expertly designed courses offer suitable orienteering challenges for everyone – from beginners to elite athletes. World-class event organization and the diverse outdoor opportunities of Suomussalmi promise an unforgettable orienteering and holiday week in the wild heart of Northern Kainuu. Come and experience the most memorable week of summer 2026 in Kainuu’s ruggedly beautiful wilderness – where the forest challenges you and the scenery rewards you.Kainuu Orienteering Week is the biggest Finnish orienteering week, and it has been held annually since 1966 in Kainuu Region, Finland. Competition categories are H/D8-95. In open courses KOW offers 10 different skill and distance levels in total. See more: rastiviikko.fi (#kainuuoweek|#kainuuorienteeringweek|#KOW) Experience a memorable orienteering week in Suomussalmi! Note also the 6th official Kainuu MTBO Week 28 June – 3 July in Suomussalmi – come and enjoy the best MTBO terrains and great landscapes of Kainuu! The following entry steps are: 28th Feb 2026 / 31st May 2026 / 7th June 2026. For more information see www.rastiviikko.fi.

Event sponsor: 5+5 Days Sardinia, week 40-41 2026 (Italy)

• Prize offered: 2 packages, each for 2 entries for 5+5 Days Sardinia 2026 (either for week 40 or week 41, as you prefer). Value  800 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
• More information:  Sardinia Orienteering: Adventure Awaits Between Sky and Sea! Are you ready to combine your passion for orienteering with the wonder of a unique land? Join us in Sardinia, where the map is your key to discovering breathtaking landscapes. You will run through: Ancient woods and untouched mountains, challenging yourself on terrains that tell a thousand-year-old history. White beaches and a crystal-clear sea that will give you a dream view at the start and finish of every stage. More than a race, an active holiday! Enjoy our generous climate and the Sardinian sun that makes every moment special. And after the sporting challenge, the prize is the celebrated Sardinian hospitality: Genuine and flavourful food. Unmissable tastings of fine local wines and the excellent extra virgin olive oil. Map, compass, and good taste: the perfect orienteering is in Sardinia! Website: https://www.orienteering.it/events/

Event sponsor: 3TRE Orienteering + 5 Days Italy 2026, June 26th – July 4th (Italy)

• Prize offered: 2 packages, each of 2 entries for a combined package for 3TRE Orienteering + 5 Days Italy 2026 (both events together for each person). Value around 800 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
• More information:   Eight days of Italian alpine orienteering combining 3Tre Orienteering in Madonna di Campiglio (June 26–28) and 5 Days Italy 2026 in Val di Sole (June 29–July 4). 3Tre offers a night sprint in the village centre beside the famous 3Tre ski slope and two forest races in the Brenta Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 5 Days Italy then moves to new maps in Val di Sole and Val di Pejo, with varied stages around Passo Tonale and Lago dei Caprioli, and a final sprint in the historic village of Ossana. Together they create a compact O-holiday with strong international fields, high-quality maps and plenty of chances to enjoy the Trentino mountains before and after the races. Websites: www.3treorienteering.it and www.5daysitaly.com
  

Event sponsor: Sudety Cup 2026, July 30th – August 2nd 2026 (Poland)

• Prize offered: 3 packages, each for 2 people – consisting of entry to Sudety Cup 2026 and including official Sudety Cup orienteering shirt. Total value up to 660 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
• More information:  Join us in 2026 from July 30th to August 2nd in the beautiful Orlickie Mountains for Sudety Cup – a 4-day orienteering challenge set in rarely visited, technically demanding terrain. Each of the four stages will showcase a different character of this unique region, offering a fresh test of navigation and endurance every day. Sudety Cup includes a WRE stage, attracting strong international competitors, while the kid’s zone and Mini-O courses ensure a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. With the JWOC 2027 taking place just a few kilometers away, the event is a perfect chance to explore terrain similar to what awaits athletes at the championships. In 2026, Sudety Cup also offers an ideal training opportunity before the World Masters Orienteering Championships, held in southern Poland the following week. With the same mapmakers involved in both Sudety Cup and WMOC, it is the perfect way to combine great racing with highly relevant and purposeful preparation. Webpage: https://sudetycup.pl/en/

Event sponsor: Portugal O-meeting. February 13th-17th (Portugal)

• Prize offered: 2 packages, each one for 2 people, consisting of Portugal “O” Meeting 2026 entry fees (Model vent, Sprint WRE, Night Sprint, PreO Sprint, 2 * Middle WRE & 2 * Long) and 4 training maps (for each) provided by O-Portugal.pt. Total value up to 660 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
• More information:  POM 2026 will offer you the possibility to have 7 races in 5 days, including 3 WRE stages, in the beautiful coastal region of Mira! The forest stages will be held on a new 23 km2 map, deep into our most enjoyable sand-dunes pine forests. Besides, www.O-Portugal.pt will offer you the best training maps one can have and will help you to find the perfect accommodation for your needs! Website: https://pom.pt/2026/en

Event sponsor: Swiss O-Week (SOW), July 12th – 18th (Switzerland)

• Prize offered: Competition package for two people: Entry for two people at the Swiss O Week 2026 in Portes du Soleil, including all mountain railway tickets to get to the stages from the competition centre. Value 500 CHF. Transferable to other persons.
• More information:  The Swiss O Week 2026 in Portes du Soleil will take place close to french border, making it truly border-crossing. 6 stages in unique and newly mapped alpine terrain in both Switzerland and France await you, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Dents du Midi’s dramatic peaks. Read more at the website https://swiss-o-week.ch/en or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Event sponsor: OOCup, July 26th – 30th 2026 (Ireland)

• Prize offered: 2 packages, each for 2 people – consisting of: Entry for the complete 5 days OOCup competition. Total value around 440 EUR. Transferable to other persons.
• More information: Stunning landscapes, hospitable people, lakes, castles, cool pubs and of course some super nice orienteering terrain… you will find all that and much more around Killarney national park in Kerry county during OOcup/2026! We plan to use 3 distinct terrain types during the week; 1 stage in sand dunes, 3 stages typical Irish intricate mountain terrain, 1 stage in forest around Muckross garden in Killarney national park. Possibility to take part in the event car free is planned! More at oocup.com