Triple gold for Simona Aebersold and Sprint glory for Akseli Ruohola in Switzerland

 

 

SARNEN (SUI) – The 53rd CISM World Military Orienteering Championship concluded on Saturday, 24 October 2026, with the sprint competitions in Sarnen, Switzerland, bringing an exciting end to a week of outstanding military sporting performances. Switzerland's Simona Aebersold and Finland's Akseli Ruohola claimed the final individual world military titles in the women's and men's events respectively, while the Closing Ceremony celebrated the achievements of the participating nations and the values of friendship, respect and international cooperation that unite the CISM family.

 

Following the demanding long-distance races in Brennwald on Wednesday and the relay competitions in Kernwald on Thursday, the championship's final sporting challenge took athletes from the forests of central Switzerland to the urban environment of Sarnen. The sprint discipline required competitors to combine speed, concentration and precise navigation, with rapid route choices and the smallest mistakes potentially determining the final standings.

 

The men's competition delivered one of the closest finishes of the championship, with Finland's Akseli Ruohola claiming the gold medal by the narrowest possible margin. Competing over a 4.1-kilometre course featuring 15 metres of elevation gain and 23 control points, Ruohola completed the race in an impressive 14 minutes and 38 seconds, securing the world military title by just one second.

 

 

Behind him, Switzerland's Benjamin Wey and the Czech Republic's Tomáš Křivda finished in a dead heat for second place, both recording a time of 14:39 and sharing the silver medal position. The remarkable finish highlighted the exceptional level of competition, with the three leading athletes separated by only one second.

 

For Ruohola, the victory represented another major achievement following his contribution to Finland's silver medal in Thursday's men's relay. His performance also confirmed Finland's strong presence throughout the championship, with the Nordic nation collecting medals across several disciplines. Křivda, who had already secured the men's long-distance gold medal on Wednesday, added another podium finish to his successful championship campaign, while Wey's silver medal provided further celebrations for the host nation.

 

Switzerland narrowly missed another podium position through Fabian Aebersold, who finished fourth in 14:48, just ten seconds behind the winner. His compatriot Riccardo Rancan completed the top five in 14:57, followed by Tino Polsini in sixth place with a time of 15:04. Poland's Michał Olejnik finished seventh in 15:07, ahead of Austria's Lukas Novak in 15:08. Switzerland's Reto Egger and Pascal Schärer completed the men's top ten, recording times of 15:23 and 15:30 respectively.

 

 

With 135 athletes entered in the men's sprint, the competition once again demonstrated the depth and diversity of international military orienteering, bringing together experienced competitors and emerging talents from across the CISM member nations.

 

In the women's competition, Switzerland's Simona Aebersold delivered another outstanding performance to secure the sprint world military title and complete an exceptional championship on home soil. Competing over a 3.8-kilometre course with 10 metres of elevation gain and 19 control points, the Swiss athlete crossed the finish line in 14 minutes and 48 seconds, finishing 55 seconds ahead of her nearest challenger.

 

The victory marked Aebersold's third gold medal of the championship, following her triumph in Wednesday's long-distance race and her contribution to Switzerland's victorious women's relay team on Thursday. Having entered the competition as one of the leading athletes in international orienteering, Aebersold confirmed her exceptional form with three world military titles in three events, becoming one of the standout performers of the 2026 edition.

 

 

Poland's Aleksandra Hornik secured the silver medal with a time of 15:43, producing an excellent performance to claim her place on the podium. France's Florence Hanauer completed the top three in 15:46, finishing just three seconds behind Hornik after a closely contested battle for second place. For Hanauer, the bronze medal represented another significant achievement following her contribution to France's bronze medal in Thursday's women's relay, which had been decided by a thrilling final sprint against Sweden and Poland.

 

Switzerland continued to demonstrate its strength in the women's competition, with Lilly Graber finishing fourth in 16:15, while the Czech Republic's Tereza Rauturier secured fifth place in 16:22. Paula Gross, another member of Switzerland's gold-medal-winning relay team, finished sixth in 16:23, followed by compatriots Seline Sannwald and Anna Gasser in seventh and eighth positions respectively. Poland's Agata Olejnik and Switzerland's Annick Meister completed the women's top ten.

 

With 69 athletes competing in the women's sprint, the final race provided another opportunity for military athletes from different nations to demonstrate their physical abilities, navigational skills and determination in pursuit of sporting excellence.

 

 

The sprint competitions brought the sporting programme of the 53rd CISM World Military Orienteering Championship to a close after three demanding disciplines contested in contrasting environments and weather conditions.

 

Switzerland emerged as the most successful nation of the championship, claiming four of the six world military titles awarded across the long-distance, relay and sprint competitions. The host nation secured both relay titles, while Simona Aebersold added individual victories in the long-distance and sprint events. The Czech Republic and Finland claimed the remaining gold medals through Tomáš Křivda and Akseli Ruohola respectively.

 

Beyond the medal standings, the championship demonstrated the remarkable diversity of military orienteering, from the physically demanding forests of Brennwald to the technical challenges of Kernwald and the fast-paced urban courses of Sarnen.

 

The championship officially concluded with the Closing Ceremony on Saturday, 24 October, bringing together athletes, military delegations, officials, organizers and volunteers to celebrate five days of sporting excellence, international friendship and shared experiences.

 

A special moment of the Closing Ceremony was the presentation of the Friendship Through Sport Award to Denmark, in recognition of the delegation's commitment to the fundamental values of CISM, including friendship, solidarity, mutual respect and camaraderie. The award, presented by CISM partner A5DM, highlighted Denmark's contribution to promoting the spirit of Friendship through Sport throughout the championship, demonstrating that military sport goes far beyond competition and medals.

 

 

Addressing the CISM family, Official CISM Representative Lieutenant Colonel Christian Lützkendorf reflected on the remarkable variety of conditions encountered throughout the championship and the exceptional performances delivered by the participating athletes. "We've experienced so much during this time. It all began with a magnificent opening ceremony in the heart of Stans. Then, during the competition days, we encountered all the conditions your outdoor sport has to offer: from deep, dark forests to a lively city, from pouring rain to a bright blue sky," he declared.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Lützkendorf paid particular tribute to the athletes, emphasizing both the outstanding performances of world-class competitors and the dedication of military personnel who had prepared for the championship alongside their professional responsibilities. "We were especially proud to witness the participation of world-class athletes in our event. We watched in awe as our top athletes delivered outstanding performances," he stated.

 

Reflecting on the demanding nature of orienteering, the Official CISM Representative highlighted the importance of precision, concentration and the ability to minimize mistakes under pressure. "But you have shown us the precision and speed possible in a sport where everyone makes mistakes. The one who makes the fewest mistakes wins in the end," he emphasized.

 

 

He also praised the remarkable commitment of military athletes serving in regular armed forces, acknowledging the sacrifices required to maintain a high level of physical preparation while fulfilling demanding military duties. "Given the often adverse conditions of daily life in the armed forces, you deserve our special respect for your dedication to training! You are shining examples of physical fitness," he declared.

 

The Official CISM Representative expressed his gratitude to the Swiss Armed Forces and the Local Organizing Committee for their professionalism, hospitality and dedication throughout the championship. "By hosting the World Military Orienteering Championships for the fifth time, Switzerland has once again demonstrated the outstanding professionalism and warm hospitality with which it welcomes the world of military sports to this beautiful country," he stated.

 

He particularly highlighted the distinctive contribution of the Swiss militia system, noting that the championship had been organized almost entirely by members of the Swiss militia, whose civilian expertise and military experience contributed to the smooth running of the event.

 

According to Lieutenant Colonel Lützkendorf, the commitment demonstrated by personnel of all ranks reflected the close relationship between the armed forces and society in Switzerland, as well as the spirit of cooperation that characterizes successful CISM competitions. "CISM is proud to have Switzerland as a reliable member nation since 1968," he added.

 

 

Looking ahead, the Official CISM Representative expressed his hope that the international military orienteering community would reunite at the 8th CISM Military World Summer Games in Charlotte, United States, in 2027, where the discipline will have another opportunity to showcase its sporting excellence and international appeal. "I hope that the military orienteering community will gather in Charlotte in 2027 for the 8th CISM Military World Summer Games to write another chapter in the long history of orienteering," he declared.

 

Before officially closing the championship, Lieutenant Colonel Lützkendorf wished all participants a safe journey home and encouraged them to share the experiences and friendships developed during their stay in Switzerland. He then formally declared the 53rd CISM World Military Orienteering Championship closed, bringing to an end an event that combined exceptional sporting performances with the fundamental values of the International Military Sports Council.

 

 

With Switzerland once again demonstrating its capacity to organize a world-class military sporting event, the 53rd CISM World Military Orienteering Championship leaves a lasting legacy of sporting excellence, mutual respect and international camaraderie.

 

As the participating delegations return to their respective countries, the memories of the competitions, the friendships established and the shared experiences in central Switzerland will continue to embody the enduring mission of CISM: bringing the world's armed forces together through sport.

 

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Swiss Delegation to CISM)