Nilsiä’s Tahko orienteering terrain is always fascinating
Ossi Lakkala has experience both as a competitor and an organizer
The second competition terrain of the WOC Tour event week is legendary and promises interesting control legs and points, according to the event’s chief course planner, Ossi Lakkala. Tahko’s orienteering terrain is located around the ski resort, where the highest point of Tahkomäki rises 201 meters above the lake level. According to Lakkala—who moved from Raahe to Kuopio in 2013—you can admire the scenery on the way to the start. After that, all eyes must be fixed on the map and compass, as the courses demand precision.
– Tahko offers a typical long-distance race, requiring both orienteering skills and physical endurance. Tahko’s terrain features challenging areas that demand advanced orienteering skills. The slopes pose an additional challenge, particularly for the youngest and oldest competitors, Lakkala notes.
Osmo Lakkala got into orienteering during his military service, where he was involved in training groups.
– While living in Raahe, I felt the need to add something new to my running routine. So, I started attending evening orienteering events in the early 80s, and I’ve stayed on that path ever since. My first Jukola relay was in 1982 at Pärnävaara in Liperi, Lakkala recalls.
Lakkala represented Saloisten Reipas until 2013 and was actively involved in various roles within the club and the Northern Ostrobothnia orienteering district. He has extensive experience as a section and club leader, youth coach, map coordinator, cartographer, course planner, and held similar positions within the district. He was a familiar figure behind the Kaleva relay. His experience even led him to become a member of the Finnish Orienteering Federation’s council, as well as officiating Finnish Championships and IOF ski-orienteering events.
Moving to Savonia took him to Kuopion Suunnistajat, where he gained experience as a course planner and map updater.
– In 2019, I served as the chief course planner for Tahko’s FIN5 Orienteering Week competitions. I have practiced all forms of orienteering—foot, ski, bike, and precision orienteering, Lakkala shares.
Orienteering has also fueled his passion for traveling to competitions, with Africa being the only continent he has yet to visit. At the 2009 Veteran World Championships in Sydney’s Olympic Park, he won the world championship in sprint orienteering. With such extensive experience, Tahko’s courses are in capable hands for the second day of the WOC Tour competition.
Text and foto: Hannu Keränen
