Finns win 2018 Ski O

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Last Updated: Monday, 13 August 2018 16:09

How on earth can someone from Western Australia win a ski orienteering event?

When they're Finnish and have winter sports in their blood!

Virpi Komulainen from the LOST club took out the 7km Long course at the annual Ski O day at Perisher on Sunday.

And it appears Finns made it a trifecta, with Heli Laajoki (a teenage cross-country talent from Canberra O club Abominable O Men) finishing second and Pauli Viljakainen (Bushflyers, ACT) third.

Big Foot's Hamish Mackie, now slightly the wrong side of 50, can surely lay claim to being Australia's greatest male orienteer - with a fourth placing in the Long. This follows his victory at the Australian MTBO titles in Open Men, and his solid form in foot O.

There were 47 starters all up from 10 clubs across four states (we noted a couple of Garbellinis from Queensland in the results). The day was sunny and there were perfectly groomed snow tracks to compete in Long, Middle, Short or Snogaine courses designed by Fedor Iskhakov.

A big thank you to Marina, Fedor, Red Roos, Big Foot, ACT and NSW Orienteering and to the beautiful and warm Nordic Shelter.

Results are here and Facebook photos are here. Next year's event is set down for Sunday August 11.