Nydalens damelag kjempet i teten gjennom alle fire etapper i Venla-kavlen i Kotka i Finland. Til slutt ble Oslo-klubben nummer 3 etter at favorittene IFK Göteborg og Kalevan Rasti hadde rykket ifra alle. Det begynte med det 50-årige unikumet Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg på første etappe.
A Resounding Third Place for Nydalen in the Prestigious Venla Relay
In a remarkable display of endurance and strategic prowess, the women’s team from Nydalen achieved a strong third-place finish in the highly competitive Venla Relay, a cornerstone event of the Jukola weekend held this year in Kotka, Finland. Battling through four demanding stages against a field exceeding 1500 teams, the Oslo-based club cemented their podium position after the dominant forces of IFK Göteborg and Kalevan Rasti pulled away in the latter stages of the race. The impressive performance marks a significant achievement for Nydalen, underscoring their growing strength in international orienteering.
The foundation for Nydalen’s success was laid by the seasoned veteran Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg, a 50-year-old marvel of the sport, who anchored the opening leg. In an event renowned for its challenging terrain and the sheer scale of participation, Hausken Nordberg demonstrated a veteran’s composure and exceptional speed. She navigated the early stages with remarkable efficiency, positioning herself at the forefront of the pack. By the time she reached the handover point, Nydalen held a coveted leading position, setting a positive tone for the subsequent runners. The Finnish crowd, braving the inclement weather outside Kotka, witnessed the remarkable sight of the three-time mother crossing the finish line first, a testament to her enduring skill and competitive spirit.
A Newcomer and Established Talent Combine for Early Success
Following Hausken Nordberg’s stellar start was Ane Dyrkorn, a recent addition to the Nydalen roster. The former NTNUI runner, now representing Nydalen, found herself in esteemed company at the front of the race. She managed to maintain her position within the leading group, which coalesced into a contingent of five teams navigating the longest stage of the relay. Among these frontrunners were the eventual winners, IFK Göteborg and Kalevan Rasti, while several other pre-race favorites experienced costly time losses. Dyrkorn’s ability to stay with this elite group highlighted her immediate impact and the team’s strong collective performance.
The dynamics of the race began to shift significantly on the third leg. It was at this point that Kalevan Rasti, a consistently strong contender, made their decisive move. Their experienced runner, Marika Teini, executed a flawless performance on the shortest stage of the relay. Teini’s precision and speed allowed her team, hailing from Joensuu, to establish a substantial lead. By the handover, Kalevan Rasti had carved out a margin of over ninety seconds, a considerable advantage in such a tightly contested event. The surprise package of the race, OK Kåre from Falun, emerged as their closest challenger, followed closely by IFK Göteborg. Nydalen’s runner on this leg, Kaja Winsnes Nordhagen, despite a commendable effort, lost 25 seconds in the closing moments of her run, relinquishing the lead and entering the final stage in fourth place, a full two minutes adrift of the front-running Kalevan Rasti.
The Final Sprint and a Hard-Fought Podium Finish
The final leg of the Venla Relay transformed into a gripping spectacle of high-stakes orienteering. Midway through the leg, the Swedish powerhouse IFK Göteborg, represented by Sanna Fasth, was in close pursuit of Elisa Mattila of Kalevan Rasti. Fasth, a Swedish relay world champion from 2025, demonstrated her class by gradually increasing the pressure and pulling away from her rival. By the time the finish line was in sight, IFK Göteborg had secured a commanding victory, their fourth in the last five editions of the Venla Relay, a remarkable streak that solidifies their dominance in the sport.
For Nydalen, the battle for the remaining podium spots intensified. The team found themselves in a close contest with the Finnish club Paimion Rasti. However, Nydalen’s anchor runner, Victoria Håstad Bjørnstad, proved to be the stronger finisher in the sprint to the line. Bjørnstad, who transferred to Nydalen from IFK Göteborg before the current season, delivered a performance that secured third place for her new club. This podium finish represents Nydalen’s best-ever result in the prestigious Venla Relay, a landmark achievement that will undoubtedly be celebrated within the club and the wider orienteering community.
Norwegian Competitors Showcase Strong Performances
Beyond Nydalen’s triumph, other Norwegian teams also demonstrated commendable performances. NTNUI secured a tenth-place finish, maintaining their strong standing from the previous year’s competition. Pia Young Vik, running for the Swedish club OK Linné, achieved the second-best stage time on the final leg, significantly contributing to her team’s fifth-place finish. Marie Olaussen, representing Stora Tuna, also delivered an impressive performance, clocking the sixth-best stage time and propelling her team to a respectable thirteenth place overall. These results highlight the continued strength and depth of Norwegian orienteering talent on the international stage.
The Venla Relay, one of the two main competitions of the Jukola weekend, is an annual event that draws elite orienteers from across the globe. The Jukola, held in Finland, is the world’s largest orienteering event, featuring both the Venla Relay for women and the Jukola Relay for men. This year’s event in Kotka attracted an estimated 15,000 participants across all categories, with the Venla Relay alone featuring over 1500 teams. The relay format demands exceptional teamwork, individual skill, and mental fortitude, as runners navigate complex terrain in varying weather conditions over extended distances. The history of the Venla Relay dates back to 1951, and it has since become a benchmark for women’s team orienteering.
Analysis of Nydalen’s Achievement
Nydalen’s third-place finish in the Venla Relay can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the strategic deployment of their experienced runners, most notably Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg, provided a strong start. Her ability to secure an early lead in such a massive field is a testament to her exceptional orienteering skills and competitive drive, even at the age of 50. Secondly, the successful integration of new talent, as demonstrated by Ane Dyrkorn’s performance on the second leg, speaks to the team’s cohesive strategy and training regimen. Thirdly, the team’s resilience and ability to maintain a strong position despite losing ground on the third leg, culminating in Victoria Håstad Bjørnstad’s decisive sprint on the final leg, showcases their mental toughness and strategic execution under pressure.
The implications of this podium finish extend beyond the immediate victory. For Nydalen, it signifies a new level of achievement and elevates their profile within the international orienteering circuit. It provides valuable experience for the team, particularly for their younger members, and serves as a powerful motivator for future competitions. Furthermore, it reinforces the strength of Norwegian orienteering and inspires aspiring athletes. The club’s success is a product of consistent effort, strategic planning, and the dedication of its athletes and support staff. The competition was fierce, with IFK Göteborg and Kalevan Rasti representing the pinnacle of the sport, making Nydalen’s achievement all the more impressive.
The detailed results of the Venla Relay can be accessed through the official Jukola website, providing a comprehensive overview of the standings and individual stage performances. The event itself is a significant cultural and sporting phenomenon in Finland, attracting a large following and showcasing the allure of orienteering as a demanding and exhilarating outdoor sport. Nydalen’s performance is a clear indication that they are a team to watch in upcoming international competitions.
The strategic choices made by Nydalen’s team management, including the selection of runners for each leg and their approach to pacing and navigation, were clearly effective. The ability to adapt to changing race dynamics, such as the breakaway by Kalevan Rasti and the strong surge by IFK Göteborg, and still maintain focus on securing a podium spot, highlights a sophisticated level of race intelligence. The final leg’s sprint finish, decided by mere seconds, underscores the fine margins that often separate elite teams in such high-stakes events. Victoria Håstad Bjørnstad’s composure and speed in that critical moment were instrumental in clinching the bronze medal.
Looking ahead, Nydalen’s success at the Venla Relay will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for further development. The team will likely aim to build upon this momentum, striving to challenge for top honors in future major international relays. The experience gained from competing against and outperforming many of the world’s leading orienteering clubs will be invaluable. The team’s performance also draws attention to the broader landscape of Norwegian orienteering, showcasing the talent and dedication present within the national system. The presence of multiple Norwegian teams in the top echelons of the Venla Relay further validates the country’s status as a formidable force in the sport. The Venla Relay continues to be a proving ground for the world’s best female orienteers, and Nydalen has now firmly established itself among them.
The conditions on race day, characterized by rain, likely added another layer of complexity to the already challenging terrain. Navigating effectively and maintaining speed on wet ground requires specific skills and a heightened sense of awareness. The ability of all Nydalen’s runners to perform at such a high level under these circumstances is a testament to their thorough preparation and adaptability. The Venla Relay is not merely a test of physical strength but also a profound mental challenge, requiring concentration and decision-making over extended periods in demanding environments. Nydalen’s collective performance suggests a team that is exceptionally well-drilled and mentally resilient.
The detailed results can be found here: https://online.jukola.fi/tulokset-new/sv/j2026_ve/ve/stallning/4/0/. This link provides an in-depth look at the competition’s outcomes, allowing for further analysis of team and individual performances. The sheer scale of the Jukola and Venla events, with thousands of participants and a vast spectator following, highlights the significance of this achievement within the global orienteering community. Nydalen’s podium finish is a story of dedication, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence on one of the world’s most prestigious orienteering stages.
