PRESS RELEASE: Middle Distance Celebrations for Sweden and Norway

Swedish and Norwegian orienteers celebrated in the middle-distance World Championships in Neulaniemi, Kuopio. The Swedish women took a clean sweep of the podium in the 5-kilometer course, led by Tove Alexandersson. Sanna Fast was second, and Hanna Lundberg third.

In the men’s race, Norway secured a double victory. Eirik Langedal Breivik was the fastest on the 5.8-kilometer course, Kasper Harlem Fosser was second, and Sweden’s Anton Johansson third.

Finland’s Miika Kirmula was the best Finnish male, finishing fifth, just 35 seconds away from the bronze medal. The best Finnish female was Marika Teini in seventh place.Although the Neulaniemi terrain is only a few kilometers from Kuopio’s market square, course setter Marko Uotila succeeded in creating demanding courses that utilized the small-scale and precisely navigable parts of the terrain. Both Breivik and Alexandersson managed to deliver nearly flawless performances.

Results

Men 5,8 km
1. Eirik Langedal Breivik, Norway33:42
2. Kasper Harlem Fosser, Norway 34:16
3. Anton Johansson, Sweden 34:49

Women 5,0 km
1. Tove Alexandersson, Sweden 33:17
2. Sanna Fast, Sweden 34:19   
3. Hanna Lundberg, Sweden 35:43

All results: https://online-live.tulospalvelu.fi/tulokset-new/en/2025_wocmiddle/

Photo: Joni Solonen