LSF PT - first-ever Estonian team in Halikko Relay

This year, LSF PT will become the first-ever Estonian team to participate in the Halikko Relay. We spoke with their "project manager," Kaupo Järve, about the team and their expectations for this debut.

Hi Kaupo and welcome to Halikko Relay as the first Estonian team. What kind of club LSF PT is?

LSF PT is a small Estonian orienteering club grown out from activity movement by a group of Tallinn Technical University student friends in the beginning of 90`s.

In 1999 the friendly group made an official debut in competitive orienteering by taking part in Estonian traditional night relay event “Jüriööjooks” (named after historical events of 14th Century) and since 2007, by that time already official club, has also been the main organiser of 2-days mid-summer orienteering competition called “Kalevi Suvejooks”.

In recent years, there has also been a more sport orientated approach towards orienteering within the club. As we currently have a no elite class runners in our ranks, this mainly concerns our growing youngsters, some ladies and an active group of Men 45-50 Masters.

2023 was historical for us as the club youngsters won the first ever collective medal - gold in Estonian sprint orienteering camps MN14-16. The progress continues as also this year 2024 as our 13-year-old girls managed the bronze in forest relay competition against much older competitors in Ladies 14-16 at Youngsters and Masters Estonian Relay Champs. Not to mention that the LSF PohlaTallajad (working title: Lingonberry Treaders :) ) are the upset Gold in Estonian relay Champs 2024 in Men’s 45-50 class.



What brought you to the Halikko Relay? Does anyone on your team have prior experience running in the event?

Our Halikko background story is that exactly one year ago a group of LSF masters were planning a weekend of o-trainings in Varsinais-Suomi region as part of early preparations to WMOC 2024. Participating in Halikko event in the individual Open course format was on schedule as one of the trainings. As it happened, our Masters group got a last-minute invitation from compatriot Timo Sild to fill some spots in Koovee’s open class team and this is how some of us got the first hand feeling of this extremely attractive relay format. The matter of coming back in 2024 with our own team was discussed in the annual club meeting and here we are now... :)

What are your expectations for the upcoming competition? Do you have a specific goal for your team?

I have no doubt in my mind that the event itself will be impressive for our youngsters with no such previous experience. LSF project to participate in Halikko 2024 has one main objective - to provide our younger athletes the experience of orienteering in Finnish terrains.

Goals for the Team are also quite clear:

• to get the team to the start line in full assembly.
• to manage the format specific exchange information within the group.
• for everyone running – focus on picking the correct controls and enjoy!

16.9.2024, 22:38