Finland takes gold in mixed sprint relay at FISU Winter Games

TURIN, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Finland's Amanda Yli-Futka and Niklas Ekstroem claimed gold in the mixed sprint relay, the second and final ski orienteering event of the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games.

The duo completed the course in 45 minutes, 10 seconds, edging out Sweden's Anna Aasa and Jonatan Stahl, who earned silver at 45:19. Switzerland's Delia Giezendanner and Elias Corsin Boos took bronze, finishing in 45:28.

Yli-Futka, a 20-year-old student-athlete from the University of Eastern Finland, had already captured gold in the women's sprint final on January 19. "I will put [my medals and mascots] in a very special place," she said. Ekstroem, a multi-discipline athlete from the University of Turku, added, "I think it was a very, very challenging course, but super fun."

The Swedish silver medalists also praised the event. "Good weather, good courses, and good skiing," said Aasa and Stahl, reflecting on the favorable conditions that contrasted with earlier days of heavy snow. "We're super happy and super tired," they added.

Ski orienteering combines cross-country skiing with navigation and route optimization, demanding both physical endurance and mental focus. Despite the sport's challenges, it has steadily gained traction, making its FISU Games debut in 2019 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, before returning in Torino.

However, the sport still faces hurdles in its global development. Only two of the 21 teams in Tuesday's relay represented Asia, and limited broadcasting capabilities have hampered wider exposure. "Ski orienteering is one of the most difficult sports to broadcast," said Giacomo Steiner, TV director for Pragelato's snow events, citing the need for GPS tracking and other specialized equipment.

Despite these obstacles, optimism persists. The International Orienteering Federation continues to promote the sport, and it will be a compulsory event at the 2027 FISU Winter Games. Advocates hope these efforts will eventually lead to ski orienteering's inclusion in the Winter Olympics. ■