The European Championships in Hungary, which have just ended, not only gave us three exciting and tough races, but we also found out who has the best chance of winning the 2024 Orienteering World Cup, which will be decided at the World Cup finals in Finland in September.

In the men’s event, Kasper Fosser (NOR) took a big step towards his third World Cup title as he took the lead from Martin Regborn (SWE) with a silver and a gold medal in the middle and long distance styles respectively.

Fosser, who won the 2021 and 2022 World Cup, now has 314 points, while Martin Regborn is in second place with 237.

Regborn’s compatriot Emil Svensk is in third place with 212 points, while Daniel Hubmann moved up to fourth place with 198 points after his silver medal in the long distance in Hungary.

Eirik Langedal Breivik (NOR), who surprised everyone by winning the EOC middle distance, is the new man in fifth place with 194 points, while Joey Hadorn (SUI) is in sixth place, just four points behind.

Matthias Kyburz (SUI) is the current World Cup defending champion, but has not taken part in any competitions this year due to his Olympic participation in the marathon.

Aebersold on course for first title
In the women’s race, Simona Aebersold (SUI) is still on course for her first overall title in the Orienteering World Cup after two great races in Hungary, where she won gold in the middle distance and silver in the long distance.

With 440 points, she extended her lead over her compatriot Natalia Gemperle, who has 370 points after a silver medal and fourth place at the EOC.

Tove Alexandersson (SWE), who has won nine World Cup titles in a row, is in third place with 337 points after a fourth place in the midfield and the European Championship title in the long distance.

Fourth place follows, more than 100 points behind, and is taken by Norwegian Andrine Benjaminsen (228 points) after her two bronze medals in Hungary.

Hanna Lundberg (SWE) is in fifth place with 173 points, while Venla Harju (FIN) is in sixth place with 156 points.

Swiss lead in team competition, close battle for second place
In the Team World Cup, Switzerland has a commanding lead of over 1,300 points after the EOC finals, while Norway and Sweden can look forward to a close battle for second place at the World Cup finals in September.

Norway jumped from fourth to second place after its impressive relay races (gold and silver) and now has a narrow lead of just 23 points over Sweden in the overall standings.

Finland is in fourth place with over 500 points, catching up with its neighbor Sweden in third place.

You can find the complete World Cup standings here

Photo: William Hollowell