Winter Orienteering in the Expansive Perm Region
From February 17 to 22, the Perm Region played host to the Russian Championship and Youth Championship in orienteering, attracting 45 participants from five regions across the Russian Federation: Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Sverdlovsk Region, the Perm Region, and the Republic of Bashkortostan. The opening ceremony was attended by Anvar Nurislamov, Chairman of the Orienteering Association, and Nikolay Zorya, Senior Coach of the Russian National Orienteering Team, who warmly welcomed the participants. They extended their best wishes for success and fair competition to all athletes.
The first day of competition took place at the “Flying Skier” ski base, part of the sports school of Olympic reserve. Here, dedicated enthusiasts of winter orienteering vied for the title of the best “snow trackers” in the sprint discipline. While the adult competitions saw the leaders maintain their positions with only minor shifts, the youth events showcased emerging talent. Coaches highlighted the remarkable progress of Sofia Klimenko, a young skier from the Sverdlovsk Region, and Yuri Kaschenkov from Moscow, both of whom delivered standout performances.
On the second day, athletes competed in the classic discipline, which emphasized the discovery of control points situated in less obvious locations. This segment required participants to combine speed, attentiveness, and technical proficiency to navigate and overcome various obstacles. In this discipline, each athlete had the freedom to choose their preferred skiing style, adapting to the specific conditions of the course.
The third day marked a critical moment for all orienteers, as they faced the most challenging discipline: the “Long” course. This event featured an extensive distance, with athletes starting at intervals and navigating numerous checkpoints spread across a vast area. Success in this discipline demanded not only physical stamina but also the ability to analyse the terrain, make quick decisions, and adapt swiftly to changing conditions.
The final day of the Russian Championship and Youth Championship was dedicated to the unpredictable and thrilling team relay races. Each team consisted of three participants, who, equipped with route sheets and maps, competed in relay-style ski races. The objective was to swiftly locate checkpoints in unfamiliar terrain. The overall result was determined by the finish time of the final team member completing the last stage.
Team Standings of the Russian Youth Championship:
1st place - Moscow
2nd place - St. Petersburg
3rd place - Perm Region
Team Standings of the Russian Championship:
1st place - Sverdlovsk Region
2nd place - Moscow
3rd place - Perm Region
Nikolay Zorya, Head Coach of the Russian National Orienteering Team, reflected on the event: “Literally every element contributed to the success of the competition - sunny, frosty weather, a terrain characterized by flat expanses with shallow ravines and minimal elevation changes, well-prepared ski tracks, high-quality maps, and a meticulously organized sports arena. The experienced panel of judges performed admirably, and the organizers ensured excellent facilities for ski preparation and storage.”
Text: Nurlan Tazhigulov, Maria Mazhenina
Photo: Yulia Pechenkina
Translation: Daria Kudelina
