Strong Start to O-Ringen

2026-07-20

Festive atmosphere and challenging route choices set the tone for the week

The opening stage of O-Ringen Gothenburg offered an unforgettable start to the week. After a cool morning, the sun came out and Jennylund Arena quickly filled with orienteers. At the same time, the courses received praise for their route-choice challenges – exactly the kind of orienteering the course planners had hoped to create.

For Event Director Karin Kullman, the opening day was a reward for months of preparation.

"Our volunteers have been happy both at the starts and on the shuttle buses. It feels like everyone is excited to be here and finally get the week underway," she says.

The arena buzzed with activity throughout the day. The Open Classes attracted plenty of interest, while food vendors and kiosks kept competitors and spectators well fed. Bagheera's sports shop helped runners replace forgotten equipment, and in a nearby tent, local residents from Ale were invited to try orienteering and discover the sport during O-Ringen week.

The first stage featured a classic long-distance course where route choices often proved decisive.

"The idea was to create route-choice challenges throughout the courses," says Johan Wikström, one of the two course planners for the day.

The terrain offered great variety, with open areas, marshes and hilly sections.

"I've heard a lot of positive feedback. There were plenty of tricky route-choice decisions, and most people seem very satisfied," says Wikström.

Maria Höglund, the overall course coordinator for O-ringen 2026, was equally pleased with the response.

"It has been physically demanding, but we've received many positive comments about the courses. The planners have worked hard to create interesting route-choice legs, long legs and make the best possible use of the terrain to provide varied orienteering," she says.

She describes the competition terrain as both beautiful and demanding.

"There are some truly wilderness-like areas with wonderful views and excellent visibility. At the same time, the tall grass makes running physically demanding. Finding the right balance has been one of the biggest challenges," she says.

After crossing the finish line, competitors made the short walk to Ale Arena, where the large indoor shower facilities – made famous on social media External link. – were used for the first time during this year's O-Ringen.

One participant summed up the experience with a smile:

"That was the coolest shower ever."

From 2:00 p.m., competitors could relive their races in Livelox Opens in new window., where maps and route choices are published after every stage. Access is free for everyone after the opening stage, while a Livelox subscription is required for the remaining stages.

On Tuesday, competitors will return to the same arena but face a new course planner and partly new terrain.

"Some parts of the terrain are similar, but competitors will also enter new areas where fine navigation becomes even more important," says Maria Höglund.

The longest Black courses will also visit Piggestensberget, a highly detailed area named after the large boulder that dominates the terrain. Johan Wikström has one final piece of advice for competitors:

"Be methodical. Think through your route choice before you commit to it."

Opening Day at a Glance:

📍 Arena: Jennylund Arena

🌲 Terrain: Classic long-distance terrain featuring numerous route-choice legs, varied hills, marshes and wilderness-like sections.

🚿 Showers: Indoor facilities at Ale Arena, an ice rink transformed into one of O-Ringen's shower halls.

🍔 At the arena: Food vendors, kiosks, Bagheera's sports shop and a "Try Orienteering" area where local residents from Ale were invited to discover the sport.

📊 Livelox: Maps and routes are published from 2:00 p.m. after each stage. Livelox works directly with most GPS watches. Apple Watch users can connect via the Loxbridge app.

➡️ Tomorrow: Same arena, but a new course planner and partly new terrain. The longest Black courses will visit the demanding Piggestensberget.

Elite Winners - Stage 1:

W21 Elite

🥇 Tove Alexandersson, Stora Tuna OK – 1:25:55
🥈 Marie Olaussen, Stora Tuna OK – +0:22
🥉 Simona Aebersold, IFK Göteborg Orienteering – +2:28