Published on March 26, 2024
The KITKA mountain biking event, to be held for the fourth time next summer in Ruka, Kuusamo, is expanding and evolving. From July 24th to 27th, Ruka will host the best downhill mountain bikers from the Nordic countries, as well as those who are just getting into the sport.
Ruka has previously hosted the Finnish Downhill Mountain Biking Championships twice during the last week of July in the 2020s. In the first year of the event, the track was located on the Kelo slope. Subsequently, in collaboration with Ruka Freeriders, the local mountain biking club, a decision was made to relocate the race track closer to Ruka village, onto the Front Slope. The current track follows the route of an old downhill mountain biking track built in the early 2000s.
— For the past two summers, we have received excellent feedback from participants regarding the race track. Based on this feedback, as well as the opportunity to extend the track from Ruka village all the way to Ruka Ski Stadium, both the club and the event organizers were inspired to apply for the Nordic Championships to be held in Ruka, says Henri Suopanki, Chairman of Ruka Freeriders and Race Director.
The length of the competition track in Ruka has been approximately 700 meters over the past two summers, with a vertical drop of 130 meters. If the extension of the competition track to Ruka Stadium is successful, the length of the track will increase to about one kilometer, with a vertical drop of approximately 170-180 meters. In terms of results, this means that the time spent on the competition track will increase from just over a minute to one and a half minutes.
— In terms of conditions and the track itself, there are no obstacles to granting the Nordic Championships to Ruka. We had discussed applying for the championships before last summer's event, but at that time, we felt that 2024 might be a better timing for our young cycling club in terms of production, allowing us an additional year to practice organizing the championships in the form of the Finnish Championships, reflects Suopanki.
The decision to grant the Nordic Championships to Kuusamo was made in March. Ruka Freeriders is a member of the Finnish Cycling Federation, through which the right to organize the championships was sought.
The Nordic Championships in downhill mountain biking will be incorporated into the program of the KITKA mountain biking event, replacing the Finnish Championships in downhill mountain biking that have been part of the program in recent summers.
The KITKA week's events include not only downhill mountain biking but also activities such as the guided Puss Camp training camp and relaxed competitive events like the new Kitka Rumble! featuring five special stages with different themes. Additionally, on Saturday, there will be jump shows and other spectacular events for the audience to enjoy.
The KITKA mountain biking event is organized by Soul Productions Ltd, in collaboration with Ruka Freeriders and Ruka Ski Resort.
Text: Jussi Väätäinen
Photos: Simo Vilhunen
