Swedish Women's Orienteering Team Faces Major Setbacks in World Cup Relay
Challenges mar the Swedish women's team's performance at the Orienteering World Cup season opener.
Key Points
- • Sweden finished sixth in the World Cup relay opener on June 22, 2025.
- • Frida Vikström's major mistake at the second control led to a 19th place start.
- • Johanna Ridefelt struggled with stress but improved Sweden's position.
- • Sanna Fast secured sixth place but felt disappointed about her performance.
The Swedish women's orienteering team experienced a rough start at the Orienteering World Cup season opener, finishing sixth amidst significant individual challenges. In the relay event held on June 22, 2025, Frida Vikström, stepping in for key runners Sara Hagström and Tove Alexandersson, struggled notably at the second control, falling behind to a disappointing 19th place at the baton exchange. Vikström expressed the stress of the situation, stating, "I made a mistake at the second control and fell behind the entire time. It was very stressful. I struggled to do well after that. You see everyone running past, and it's tough."
Johanna Ridefelt, who took over from Vikström, managed to slightly enhance Sweden's position despite encountering her own set of stress-induced challenges.
Finally, Sanna Fast ran the last leg and clinched sixth place, stating, "It was not great. I made a mistake when entering the difficult area. Even though it didn't affect the result, it feels disappointing not to leave with a better feeling." Overall, Sweden finished 6 minutes and 26.6 seconds behind the winners, Switzerland, with Norway in second and Finland third.