At the peak of Puijo, contour lines become familiar
The WOC Tour competition terrain echoes with the wings of history
The orienteering community is granted access to the northern part of Puijo, particularly the Puijonsarvi area.
Markku Kotamäki, an experienced orienteer who began his journey with Petäjäveden Petäjäiset and now serves as the head course setter within a four-person team, describes the area as offering a fantastic terrain—old forests and plenty of contour variation.
“The challenge undoubtedly lies in the small size of the area; the courses just barely fit. The WOC Tour competition cannot extend into the protected nature reserve, making the terrain somewhat limited. Additionally, fallen trees and specific features require careful consideration in course design,” explains Kotamäki.
Having practiced orienteering for 50 years, Kotamäki was responsible for the start areas of Jukola relays in Jyväskylä and Vehmersalmi in 2014. The role of course setter feels like an exciting challenge for him.
“This is a demanding project, but luckily, I have time. I also enjoy working independently,” says Kotamäki, who is now enjoying his retirement.
The northern part of Puijo is the only WOC Tour competition area not hosting a World Championship event. However, Kotamäki’s team is also responsible for preparing control stands for the World Championships. The terrain provides excellent conditions right in the heart of Kuopio.
“There are plenty of contour details and control points, and moving through the terrain is easy—if you have the stamina. You can’t get lost in Puijo’s WOC Tour terrain, but you can certainly make mistakes,” Kotamäki smiles.
The WOC Tour event center is located at Puijo Stadium, meaning long transitions for competitors. There are around 130 control points. Kotamäki notes that Puijo’s competition terrain also offers breathtaking views for those who take a moment to appreciate them.
The course setters still have final adjustments and area inspections to complete before summer.
Text and photo: Hannu Keränen
