"People are staying in schools and a fantastic number of Skellefteå residents have made available their private homes. We are very grateful for that," says Stina Renström, Visit Skellefteå. Archive photography: Leif Andersson.
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This marks the first time that the Tiomila competition has been held further north than Falun. Ola Manberg, the competition director, is pleased that Skellefteå has the honor of hosting the largest sports event ever held in Skellefteå in terms of participant numbers. Over 5,000 individuals from countries including Sweden, Norway, and Finland are traveling here this week.
– We are a small organization conducting an enormously large event. In the last few weeks, I've witnessed tremendous enthusiasm. It's almost touching. It's not just the veteran orienteers who are helping out - the spirit has spread to their friends and out to the villages, says competition director Ola Manberg from Skellefteå Orienteering Club.
He says that the club has booked Folkets Park, the tennis hall, and C-hall to serve as rest areas and accommodation.
Stina Renström works for the destination company, Visit Skellefteå. She shares that virtually every hotel in town is fully booked.
– Such high occupancy means a great deal. People are staying in schools and a remarkable number of Skellefteå residents have opened their private homes. We're extremely grateful for this. It also means more shopping in the city, more people dining out at our restaurants, and purchasing food in our stores. It's a good source of income for Skellefteå, she explains.
The view is shared by campground manager Celia Yoshida Ahlin, who runs Skellefteå Camping and Byske Havsbad.
– Byske and Skellefteå are fully booked when it comes to cabins and the hostel in Skellefteå, but there is room on the camping side. This means a lot to the city, that more people can experience Skellefteå, and that Skellefteå can show its charms to those who are unfamiliar with it. It's a fantastic city to be proud of. It involves a lot of work and planning, but it's the path we should follow, she says.
"This means a lot for the town, that more people will be able to experience Skellefteå and that Skellefteå can show off its charms" says Celia Yoshida Ahlin, camping manager for Skellefteå Camping and Byske Havsbad.
Alva Petterson, a receptionist at The Wood Hotel, emphasizes the importance of attracting people to Skellefteå.
– It means a lot when things are happening. It's not just about accommodation; it also brings more life and activity with food and events. We still have rooms available this weekend. It's not quite full but it's not far off, she says.
The impact of the major orienteering competition is felt not just in the central area. The Munkviken Campground outside Lövånger is fully booked.
– There are three clubs that will be staying here. Majorna from Gothenburg, Stora Tuna, and Domnarvet from Borlänge will be camping together. It's going to be a lot of fun. It's also exciting that the superstar Tove Alexandersson will be staying here, says Eva Johansson, the operations manager.
Lägergården Munkviken located just outside of Lövånger, is expected to be bustling over the weekend. It will be hosting three competing teams, including the world champion, Tove Alexandersson.
Stina Renström from Visit Skellefteå also believes that Tiomila puts Skellefteå on the event map and contributes to increased pride among the residents of Skellefteå.
When asked if they would consider trying to attract other major events in the future, she responded:
– Absolutely, that's what we want. We are eager for more. We organized the SM-week a few years ago and last year we hosted the Junior SM in indoor athletics. And now we have Tiomila. There's nothing concrete set at the moment.
When asked how she feels with the event fast approaching, she responded:
– Incredibly exciting. The orienteering club has done a fantastic job. I know they're working day and night. It will be so fun to be a part of this. It's big for the city. Skellefteå is developing as an event city.