53rd WMC Orienteering officially opens in Switzerland
STANS (SUI) – The 53rd CISM World Military Orienteering Championship officially opened on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, in Stans, Switzerland, marking the return of this prestigious military sporting event to Swiss soil for the first time in 28 years. Bringing together more than 200 military athletes from 26 nations, the championship promises four days of high-level competition, international camaraderie and sporting excellence under the CISM motto, Friendship through Sport.
The Opening Ceremony, held in the picturesque village of Stans, brought together military and civilian authorities, representatives of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), officials from the International Orienteering Federation (IOF), participating delegations and members of the local organizing community.
Among the distinguished guests were Ms. Karin Kayser-Frutschi, Member of the Nidwalden Cantonal Council, who officially declared the championship open; Colonel Marco Mudry, Commander of the Swiss Army Sports Competence Center; Colonel Christian Hess, Chief of the Swiss Delegation to CISM; Mr. Jürg Hellmüller, Council Member of the International Orienteering Federation; and Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Gomez, President of the CISM Orienteering Sports Committee.
Representing CISM at the championship, Official CISM Representative Lieutenant Colonel Christian Lützkendorf addressed the participating delegations, highlighting Switzerland's longstanding commitment to military sport and the importance of orienteering within the CISM sporting programme. "I am particularly pleased that this World Military Orienteering Championship is taking place in Switzerland, the country where the world gathered last year for the 6th Military World Winter Games," he stated, recalling the successful organization of the event in March 2025 and the hospitality and professionalism demonstrated by the Swiss Armed Forces.
He also emphasized the historical significance of the championship's return to Switzerland. Having joined CISM in 1968, the country hosted its first World Military Orienteering Championship in Colombier in 1969, followed by editions in Brugg in 1977, Chur in 1986 and Bière in 1998. The 2026 championship therefore marks Switzerland's fifth occasion hosting this prestigious competition.
With an impressive record of 68 gold medals in the history of the CISM World Military Orienteering Championships, Switzerland has established itself as one of the leading nations in the discipline.
Beyond sporting achievements, Lieutenant Colonel Lützkendorf underlined the close connection between orienteering and the essential qualities required of military personnel. "In orienteering, speed alone is not the deciding factor. Just as important are a clear head, confidence in one's own abilities, and the courage to make decisions. These qualities connect our sport with our military service, and they give this World Military Championship special significance," he declared.
Addressing the athletes directly, he encouraged them to embrace both the competitive and human dimensions of the championship. "Dear athletes, you will choose your own routes, make decisions under time pressure, and fight for every second. At the same time, you will share experiences, make new friends, and get to know the people in uniform. It is precisely in this combination of athletic excellence and getting to know one another across borders that the special strength of CISM lies."
The Official CISM Representative also expressed his appreciation to the Swiss Armed Forces, the regional authorities, the International Orienteering Federation, the Organizing Committee and the volunteers for their dedication and commitment to delivering a successful championship. He concluded his address with a message reflecting the spirit of the organization: "On the map, many paths lead to the finish line. Here in Stans, we are united by heading into the same direction for a common goal: Friendship through Sport!"
The championship features a highly competitive international field, with some of the world's leading orienteering athletes preparing to challenge for military world titles across three disciplines: long distance, relay and sprint.
Particular attention will be focused on Switzerland's Simona Aebersold, the current world number one and winner of two world championship titles this season. Her presence makes her one of the leading contenders for gold on home soil.
Her brother, Fabian Aebersold, will also be among the athletes to watch in the men's competition, arriving in Stans following an impressive performance at the European Championships in Lithuania, where he secured a complete set of medals. Czech athlete Tomáš Křivda, ranked tenth in the world, is another strong contender expected to challenge the leading competitors.
With experienced international athletes and promising military talents representing 26 nations, the championship is set to deliver exciting races and closely contested battles for the podium.
The sporting programme begins on Wednesday, 21 October, with the long-distance competition in the demanding Brennwald forest, where the first medals of the championship will be awarded.
Starting at 09:30, athletes will navigate through challenging karst terrain characterized by steep cliffs, deep cracks, sinkholes and complex natural features. The technical nature of the courses will test not only their physical endurance but also their navigational accuracy and ability to make rapid decisions under pressure.
The men's course will cover approximately 8.5 kilometres with 510 metres of elevation gain, while the women's course will extend over approximately 6 kilometres with 340 metres of climbing. Competitors will start at 90-second intervals.
On Thursday, 22 October, attention will turn to the relay competitions in Kernwald, where teams of three athletes will compete in a landscape shaped by a prehistoric rockslide. The races, scheduled to begin at 10:00, will require a combination of individual precision, collective consistency and tactical awareness.
Following a rest day on Friday, the championship will conclude its sporting programme on Saturday, 24 October, with the sprint competition in the streets of Sarnen. Starting at 09:00, this final discipline will present a different challenge, demanding quick route choices and rapid decision-making at high running speeds in an urban environment.
The Closing Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday evening, will officially bring the 53rd CISM World Military Orienteering Championship to an end.
While the competition will undoubtedly showcase outstanding sporting performances, the championship also provides an important opportunity to strengthen relationships between military personnel from different countries and cultures. Through the shared challenges of competition, athletes will demonstrate the values of discipline, determination, mutual respect and camaraderie that lie at the heart of the CISM mission.
With the support of the Swiss Armed Forces, local authorities and the organizing community, the 53rd CISM World Military Orienteering Championship is set to celebrate both the rich traditions of military orienteering and the enduring power of sport to bring nations together. As the first athletes prepare to enter the forests of Brennwald, all eyes now turn to the opening long-distance races, where the first military world champions of the 2026 edition will be crowned.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication - Pictures: Swiss Delegation to CISM)
