LitePak Sweden 2002

CONTENTS

International Rogaining Federation

LITEPAC PowerBar Rogaine
SWEDEN - 16 NOVEMBER 2002

The fifth annual Litepac PowerBar Rogaine (previously Fjällräven Rogaine) had a new co-head sponsor in PowerBar. A late decision by the organizers of the first 4 races not to run the event, meant Nick Barrable (two times winner of the event) and Tomas Albinsson (last years mixed winner) stepped into the planner and organizers roles, with the help of their orienteering club, OK Ravinen. The race utilized OK Ravinens club hut in Hellasgården (aptly named - 'Hells Garden' in English!), south-east Stockholm, as a Hash House.

This years race attracted 57 entries, a little down on last year. Come the start at noon on Saturday 16 November, however, some had dropped out and 49 teams with 111 competitors set off for the 6-hour race. The competition area was predominantly forest, although there were some urban areas. There were various roads, tracks and lakes too. Crossing of Lakes was forbidden as the ice was not yet strong enough. The temperature during the race was about 4 degrees. As darkness fell about 4 p.m., many had head-lamps from the start.

The course was planned to cover 48km as the crow flies, and the winning team managed all but one control. Vidas Armalis , Saulius Andrekus and Svajunas Ambrazas from Hellas Orienteering Club, won by 40 points (1680 points) from a maximum of 1730. All three are members of Lithuanias National Orienteering Team. Second were Team Silva Multisport 3, Aaron Prince (NZ) and Mattias Abelsson, who scored 1640, and ahead of Söders SOL (an Orienteering club) Per Ek and Robert Söderberg with 1600 points.

The women's class saw a very comfortable victory for Eva Jurenikova and Emelli Tillegård from Team Silva Multisport with 1310 points. In the larger mixed class Lars Palmquist and Sofia Pålsson from Järfälla OK won (1570 points) ahead of a strong challenge from Edgaras Voveris and Giedre Voveriene, Hellas (1320pts). Only two veterans teams entered this year.

The link to the 1st European Rogaine Championships was displayed on the Invitation and it is hoped some Swedes will venture to Rogaine further afield!

At present there appears to be only two Rogaines in Sweden, the Litepac PowerBar Rogaine and the Sävedalens Rogaine in February, near Gothenborg.

Thanks to Per Sjögren at Litepac and Fredrik Kuoppa at PowerBar.

Check out OK Ravinen website next summer for details of the next Litepac PowerBar Rogaine in the middle of November 2003!