Cancellation of the Ski Orienteering World Cup in Finland

The organisers of the Ski Orienteering World Cup and Pre-WSOC, which was scheduled to be held in Kemi-Keminmaa Finland from 19-21 March 2021, have informed the IOF that they are unable to organise the event due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. At a meeting with the regional health authorities Friday January 29th, it was determined that due to the unpredictability of the pandemic situation going forward and the current restrictions in place in the region, the event could not proceed as planned. The final decision was made at a meeting of the organisers, the Finnish Orienteering Federation and the IOF Senior Event Adviser on Sunday January 31st.

In their communications with the IOF, the organiser has related their full motivation to now focus on the organisation of the World Ski Orienteering Championships in 2022.

The decision also means that there will be no Ski Orienteering World Cup for year 2021.

The organisers of the World Ski Orienteering Championships 2021 in Estonia are still on track for holding the event from 22-28 February 2021. There is continued strong support from the authorities in Estonia and the organisers are working closely with the Estonian Health Board to make sure that the event can be held safely in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The full focus of the IOF is now on providing our Ski Orienteering athletes this opportunity for international competition in 2021 and will monitor and support the safe organisation of the championships in cooperation with the organisers.