Kotka-Jukola: Chaotic afternoon in Venlojen viesti with power outage, downpour, and traffic jams

The start of the Venlojen viesti orienteering race in Kotka, Finland, was marred by a chaotic afternoon that included a power outage, torrential rain, and traffic jams. The race's starting signal was nearly missed by participants and spectators alike due to a sudden power failure affecting 800 customers for approximately ten minutes. A fault in a medium-voltage power line, described as a "broken component" that caused a "burning pole," was responsible for the outage. "When 20,000 volts go into a pole, it burns," explained Janne Malmström, operations manager at Kymenlaakson Sähkö, noting that heavy rain can exacerbate such issues by improving electrical conductivity. Despite the disruption, the event's core results service remained operational, protected by its own backup system. However, the power cut significantly impacted the audience experience, silencing announcements and disabling screens. Backup generators kicked in immediately, providing power for up to 24 hours, but the "chilling downpour" had already dampened spirits. "The race vibe drops when the announcements and screens don't work. The restaurant side has also had challenges," one attendee noted. The chaos was compounded by severe traffic congestion on Hurukselantie, causing some competitors to be delayed and miss the 1:30 PM mass start. Race organizers showed flexibility, allowing last-minute changes to running orders. The Jukola relay, which includes the Venlojen viesti, is a 77-year-old event, and organizers are accustomed to preparing for various eventualities. The main Jukola relay start is scheduled for 11 PM, with expectations of more participants and spectators than the afternoon's women's race.

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One component broke. A pole burned.