The 2026 Junior World Orienteering Championships concluded in Karlskrona on Saturday with exciting relay competitions that produced two dramatic races and crowned Sweden as both the men’s and women’s relay world champion.
However, the victories came about in very different ways: In the men’s relay, Sweden delivered a consistent performance from start to finish to defend their relay title from last year. Edvin Johansson Liljegren was only two seconds behind the leading Finns (Eero Sorsa) on the opening leg before handing over to Anton Jonsson, who maintained contact with the front throughout the technically demanding course. On the final leg, Ludwig Rosén took control of the race and secured victory by 29 seconds ahead of Finland, while Switzerland completed the podium.
Time to celebrate for the Swedish team. Photo: Filip Andersson
The race featured extensive forkings and several technically challenging controls that created time losses for many of the leading teams.
The women’s relay developed into one of the most dramatic races of the championships. After the opening leg, Sweden faced a significant deficit following time losses that left the team almost seven minutes behind the Swiss leaders.
On the second leg, Sprint and Long distance champion Freja Hjerne produced one of the fastest performances of the day, reducing the gap by more than six minutes and bringing Sweden back into medal contention before the final changeover.
The decisive leg remained open until the closing kilometres. Early mistakes cost Sweden additional time, but strong running gradually closed the gap to the leading teams from Czechia and Switzerland. With only a few controls remaining, navigation errors by the front-runners allowed Sweden to move into the lead and secure the world title. Norway claimed the silver medal, while Switzerland finished third.
JWOC gold medalists Olsson, Persson and Hjerne celebrate their win. Photo: Magnus Leuenberg
Full results, GPS-tracking, maps and photos in IOF LIVE
Leading results
Men
1 Sweden (Johansson Liljegren, Jonsson, Rosén) 1:43:08
2 Finland (Hirvilahti, Toyryla, Virkajarvi ) +0:29
3 Switzerland (Böhi, Berger, Bührer) +1:59
Women
1 Sweden (Olsson, Hjerne, Persson) 1:47:13
2 Norway (Danevad, Renard, Wingstedt) +1:10
3 Switzerland (Good, Mathis, Grimm) +1:11