The ski orienteering event during the Swedish Championships week in Umeå, Sweden, has been canceled due to a lack of snow. The competition leader, Andreas Lundholm, expressed disappointment, stating it feels very sad. Umeå Orienteering Club investigated moving the event to locations such as Ersmarksberget, Bjurholm, Vännäs, or Burträsk, but snow shortage and above-freezing temperatures are equally problematic everywhere.
Lundholm noted that snow is disappearing daily, with rocks, roots, and blueberry bushes appearing in the tracks, and that shoveling the required tracks would be too much work. Approximately four miles of ski tracks are needed for a mass start event, which is deemed an impossible task. The club had hoped for snow to save the competition, but rain is expected, and next weekend temperatures are forecast to be 7-8 degrees above freezing.
it feels very sad
Two championship events were scheduled in Umeå: the mass start is canceled, while the sprint event is moved to Järpen and will take place next weekend. Lundholm described the decision as sad but necessary, lamenting that it is unfortunate for ski orienteering and the club, which cannot showcase its organizational skills.
snow is disappearing daily, with rocks, roots, and blueberry bushes appearing in the tracks, and that shoveling the required tracks would be too much work
it is unfortunate for ski orienteering and the club, which cannot showcase its organizational skills