viestisuunnistukseen

Viestisuunnistus, often translated as relay orienteering, is a team event in the sport of orienteering. In a viestisuunnistus competition, teams of typically three or four runners each complete a designated orienteering course. Each runner on a team navigates a separate leg of the course, with the next runner starting only after the previous runner has finished their leg and "handed over" the control flag or timing chip.

The courses are designed to be challenging, requiring participants to use their navigation skills to find a series of control points in the correct order within a given area. The legs can vary in length and difficulty, often testing different aspects of orienteering, such as route choice, map reading, and physical stamina. Teamwork is crucial, as the overall team performance depends on the cumulative time of all its members.

Viestisuunnistus is a popular format at various levels of the sport, from local club competitions to national championships and international events like the World Orienteering Championships. It adds a dynamic and exciting element to orienteering, as teams can gain or lose significant time on each leg, leading to close finishes and strategic decision-making. The format encourages camaraderie and shared effort among team members.