O-Ringen
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O-Ringen, or Swedish 5-Days, is a multiday orienteering race. It has been held annually since 1965. The first competition included only 156 competitors, but at its peak in 1985, exactly 23,000 competitors took part. O-Ringen for 2006 was held in the Swedish province of Hälsingland during July 15th-21st. 11,500 orienteers from 32 different countries were registered to participate in this year's competition.
This race attracts significant media coverage in Sweden and winning O-Ringen is often considered second only to the World Championships in prestige.
Competitors are assigned start times for the first four stages of the race, but on the fifth and final stage a "chasing start" is used. In a chasing start the overall leader in each class starts first and the remaining competitors start according to the total time they trail. This means that the first runner over the finish line on the final stage is the winner.
[edit] Trivia
- The first ever stage of the Swedish 5-Days was held in Denmark.
- Ulla Lindkvist has the most titles in the women's class with eight wins.
- Lars Lönnkvist has won the men's class four times
- In 1982 one stage was held north of the Arctic Circle
