WSOC: Deininger and Baklid claim golds after tough pursuit race

WSOC: Deininger and Baklid claim golds after tough pursuit race

Tuesday’s gold medals at the World Ski Orienteering Championships in Japan ended up around the necks of Eliane Deininger (SUI) and Jørgen Baklid (NOR) after a challenging pursuit race in Rusutsu.

The steep terrain combined with sometimes hard snow created difficult conditions in the tracks, as the approximately 100 athletes started today’s race, where the starting list was decided in yesterday’s sprint.

First Swiss SkiO World Champion
For the women, this meant that Anna Ulvensøen (NOR) went out with a big lead – but unfortunately she broke a binding on her ski and had to retire.

It opened the race and provided an exciting hour Tuesday morning, where the positions were thoroughly shaken up compared to the start list.

In the end, Eliane Deininger, who started in fifth position, defeated Nina Karna (FIN) who went out as 13th after a sprint finish.

Eliane Deininger ahead of Nina Karna on the final meters in Rusutsu. All Photos: WSOC 2026

Magdalena Olsson (SWE), who shared third place in yesterday’s sprint, won another bronze medal today, six seconds behind Deininger.

Big smile on Deininger’s face, who with the gold became Switzerland’s first ever world champion in Ski Orienteering.

The rest of the top six consisted of Linda Lindkvist (SWE), Amanda Yli Futka (FIN) and Delia Giezendanner (SUI).

Another sprint finish
In the men’s pursuit race, the future world champion Jørgen Baklid started with an 18-second lead. But it took just over an hour of nerve-wracking racing before he could be crowned world champion again and defend his title.

Only in the very last meters did Baklid manage to sprint past Nicola Müller (SUI), who had otherwise built up a lead in the challenging terrain.

Baklid’s sprint finish win ahead of Nicola Müller. 

Third place went to another Norwegian, Teodor Mo Hjelseth, who started in ninth position and climbed up the rankings and crossed the finish line just nine seconds behind Baklid.

Men’s podium. From left: Nicola Müller, Jørgen Baklid and Teodor Mo Hjelseth.

Then there was a minute and a half gap to the rest of the pursuers in the top 6, which included Stanimir Belomazhev (BUL), yesterday’s bronze winner Niklas Ekström (FIN) and Gustav Nordström (SWE).

Dive into results and GPS-tracking in IOF LIVE.

Wednesday is rest day for the WSOC athletes before the Middle distance on Thursday morning.

Top results
Women
1 Eliane Deininger, SUI 63:56
2 Nina Karna, FIN +0:01
3 Magdalena Olsson, SWE +0:06
4 Linda Lindkvist, SWE +0:37
5 Amanda Yli Futka, FIN +7:10
6 Delia Giezendanner, SUI +7:13

Men
1 Jørgen Baklid, NOR 65:35
2 Nicola Müller, SUI +0:01
3 Teodor Mo Hjelseth, NOR +0:09
4 Stanimir Belomazhev, BUL +1:40
5 Niklas Ekström, FIN +1:42
6 Gustav Nordström, SWE +2:00