Dear Orienteering folk!

The main orienteering season is here! The Finnish summer welcomes you - head to control points in forest!

I will never forget my first participation in The Jukola Relay on the first leg. At the start fanfare the mass flew into forest. It did not bring too much success at the first time, but it brought more shared experiences among other o-people. I won't forget the look in the hopeless asking eyes after running under the wrong cliff in a crowd with a dozed of others. The control point was not there...

I have never ran in The youth Jukola Relay, because I spent my youth in finnish scouts competitions - the were good as well. Therefore we brough the scouts to share this weekend o-festival by organizing the scouts finnish o-championships on the next day sunday 21th!

The life in the City of Kajaani has given much also to these Finns:

-Elias Lönnroth, philologist, composer of epic "Kaleva" has later inspired the creator of "The Lord of the Rings" /1

-Matti Heikkinen, cross country skier and World Champion /2

These men lived not far form the Youth Jukola competition grounds, and most likely climbed on the top of the Vimpelinvaara-hill, which dominates the location. This legendary neighbourhood can soon turn out to be yours if you find yourself studying in the Kajaani University on Applied Sciences, modestly the best UAS in Finland. /3

1/ news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/12/1219_tolkienroots_2.html

2/ www.mattiheikkinen.fi

3/ www.kajak.fi/in_english.iw3

Let's train hard and a lot this summer. The time to arrive in Kajaani is at latest on the 20th of August in 2011. The Youth Jukola Relay waits to be lauched - it is made for you and your team. Come and experience the challenging terrain on Kajaani on a brand new map in an international atmosphere!

Are you ready for Kajaani?

Ville Widgrén

Director Youth Jukola Relay 2011 Kajaani

Kajaanin Suunnistajat orienteering Club

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