Kitl: A trusted partner at home and at the World Cup
From the Czech Cup to the world stage
Support for domestic races continues – the Kitl Czech Cup remains one of the pillars of the Czech orienteering season. But now Kitl is also standing alongside the world’s best. Athletes, organisers and fans of the World Cup can look forward to refreshments from a company built on honest recipes, quality ingredients and the legacy of Johann Josef Anton Eleazar Kittel, the famous healer of the Jizera Mountains.
A special edition of the Plum Syrup
Especially for the World Cup, Kitl has prepared its popular Švestka (Plum) syrup with limited-edition labels. Anyone who takes a bottle home will have a keepsake combining the taste of Czech fruit with the atmosphere of world-class orienteering.
Kitl reaches across the border
Supporting a world-class event symbolically follows another major step for the company – the recent founding of Kitl GmbH, based in the German town of Zittau, at the tripoint of the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland. Jan Vokurka, managing director of Kitl, says:
Germany is one of our key foreign markets, and founding Kitl GmbH is a logical continuation of our growth. We want to be closer to our partners, respond better to their needs and further develop customer service and business opportunities in the region.
Just as the World Cup brings athletes from all over the globe to the Czech Republic, Kitl connects regions and people across borders – at home and abroad.
We thank Kitl for supporting Czech orienteering – both at home and on the world stage. Find out more about the company and its products at kitl.cz and kitl.de.
Top Enervit innovations to power your orienteering performance
To help you optimize your training blocks and race strategy, here are practical guidelines on how to structure your fuel using Enervit’s latest functional innovations.
1. Post-race recovery & fueling on the go: Enervit Oat Bars
In orienteering, events and hard training sessions often take place far from convenient food options. Yet, refueling immediately after crossing the finish line is critical to kickstart recovery and replenish depleted muscle glycogen stores.
Training & Post-Race Application: Keep an Enervit Oat Bar in your gear bag as a wholesome snack or immediate post-session meal when a full dinner isn’t readily available.
Why it works: Packed with complex carbohydrates from high-quality oats, it delivers a rich, sustained energy release. It’s an ideal option for bridging the gap between finishing a tough course and sitting down for a proper meal, preventing energy dips during travel back from the forest.
2. Enervit Gel Neutral: Clean energy without the sweetness
During high-intensity racing, when your heart rate is maxed out while reading the map on a steep climb, chewing food is impossible and overly sweet, flavored gels can cause stomach discomfort or flavor fatigue.
Why for Orienteers:Enervit’s Neutral Gel provides a concentrated dose of fast-absorbing carbohydrates with a mild, non-flavored taste profile. It goes down smoothly, requires no extra water to chase down, and minimizes the risk of GI distress under stress.
When to use:
In-race (every 30–45 minutes): Take it right before or during demanding race legs when you need immediate, light carbohydrate delivery to maintain maximum speed and mental acuity.
Recovery Tip: For optimal post-race adaptation, drink Enervit R2 Recovery Drink within 30 minutes of finishing to instantly replenish glycogen and support muscle rebuild with essential amino acids and BCAAs. Pair it with an Oat Bar slightly later to maintain steady energy levels on the go.
3. Hydration balance: Upcoming Enervit hydration formula
Even a minor fluid deficit of 2% significantly impairs mental processing speed and spatial memory, two things no orienteer can sacrifice when hunting for a hidden control point.
What to watch for: In the coming weeks, Enervit is rolling out a brand-new Hydration Drink (featuring a clean Lemon-Lime and refreshing Orange). Designed with an optimal ratio of key electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) and hypotonic carbohydrates, it speeds up fluid retention and electrolyte balance during high-heat or long-duration workouts.
Keep an eye out on our shop as these hyper-refreshing hydration formulas hit the shelves just in time for your summer training peak!
Ready to boost your race prep?
Nutrition is the hidden leg of every course. Just as you wouldn’t head into a long-distance race with an untested route choice, your fueling routine should be refined well before race day. Experimenting during hard training sessions ensures your body – and gut – are fully prepared for maximum output when every second counts.
The National Sports Agency supports the 2026 Orienteering World Cup
The National Sports Agency has long supported the organisation of international sporting events that contribute not only to the development of elite sport but also to the promotion of the Czech Republic abroad. Events of this kind inspire children and young people to take up sport, strengthen local communities, and generate significant social and economic benefits.
Orienteering is a unique sport that combines physical fitness, mental resilience, strategic thinking, and respect for nature. These values make it an exceptional discipline and demonstrate the important role sport plays in the personal development of individuals as well as in society as a whole.
The Czech Republic has a long and proud tradition in orienteering. Czech athletes have consistently achieved strong results at international competitions, while Czech organisers have extensive experience in hosting major international events. The Orienteering World Cup is therefore not only a celebration of elite sport but also an opportunity to showcase the country’s organisational expertise, beautiful natural landscapes, and the attractiveness of orienteering to a wider audience.
The impact of major international sporting events extends far beyond the competition itself. They bring together athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators from around the world, support regional tourism and local economies, and strengthen the Czech Republic’s reputation as a country capable of delivering world-class sporting events.
The National Sports Agency serves as the central government authority responsible for sport in the Czech Republic. It creates the conditions for the development of sport at every level—from children and youth participation through sports clubs, national federations, and community organisations to elite athletes representing the country on the international stage. Supporting major international sporting events is an integral part of this mission, helping to inspire future generations, encourage an active lifestyle, and present the Czech Republic to thousands of visitors from across the globe.
The National Sports Agency would like to thank the Czech Orienteering Federation, the Local Organising Committee, all partners, and the many volunteers whose commitment and dedication have made the 2026 Orienteering World Cup possible. Their efforts continue to strengthen the Czech Republic’s position as a respected host of world-class sporting events.
We wish all athletes the very best of success, the organisers a smooth and successful event, and all visitors an enjoyable stay in the Czech Republic and memorable experiences in South Bohemia.
For more information about the National Sports Agency, please visit https://nsa.gov.cz/
How to wash your sports clothing so it lasts longer and keeps its performance benefits
EcoHaus– proud partner of the Orienteering World Cup Czechia in Vyšší Brod
You wear sports clothing not only for racing or the gym, but also for hiking, cycling or everyday walks. Functional fabrics are designed to wick sweat away from the body, dry quickly and keep you comfortable on the move. To preserve these properties for as long as possible, the clothing needs the right care – and washing is precisely where most mistakes happen. Yet a few simple rules are all it takes for your favourite sports pieces to serve you much longer.
Why does sports clothing need different care?
Unlike ordinary cotton clothing, most sportswear is made of synthetic fibres such as polyester, polyamide or elastane. These materials are light, stretchy and able to move moisture away from the skin – but they are also more sensitive to improper care. If detergent or fabric-softener residue starts building up in the fibres, their ability to wick sweat gradually deteriorates. High temperatures and overly aggressive washing likewise shorten the life of elastic fibres.
How to wash sports clothing properly
Proper washing starts the moment you come back from training. Don’t leave sweaty clothing sealed in a sports bag or at the bottom of the laundry basket for days – a damp environment encourages the bacteria that are the most common cause of unpleasant odour. If you cannot wash right away, at least let the clothing air-dry loosely.
Before loading the machine, always check the care label. Close the zips, empty the pockets and turn the garments inside out, so the detergent reaches the places where most sweat and dirt collect, while prints and reflective elements stay protected. Delicate pieces, such as sports bras, are best washed in a protective washing bag.
In most cases it is ideal to wash sports clothing at 30–40 °C – higher temperatures can damage elastic fibres or special fabric finishes. Choose a synthetics or delicates programme with a lower spin speed, and don’t overfill the drum: clothing needs room to move freely so the detergent can reach every fibre.
Which detergent to choose?
The choice of detergent matters just as much as temperature or programme. Functional materials need neither aggressive chemistry nor large doses – overdosing actually causes residue to build up in the fibres and impair their function. For everyday washing of sportswear, EcoHaus laundry sheets are a great fit: they remove sweat and everyday dirt effectively, dissolve easily, leave no unnecessary residue and are effortless to dose – you always use exactly as much as you need. They also travel well, which competitors staying near the event all week will appreciate.
Does fabric softener belong on sportswear?
One of the most common mistakes is using classic fabric softener. It makes laundry soft and fragrant, but on functional fibres it can form a thin film that gradually limits their ability to wick moisture – the clothing dries more slowly and stops performing as designed. If you love fresh-smelling laundry, you don’t have to give it up: a gentler alternative is the EcoHaus laundry perfume, which adds a pleasant scent without coating the fibres.
How to dry sports clothing
After washing, let sports clothing dry naturally in the air. Thanks to the materials used it dries very quickly, so no tumble dryer is needed – and unless the manufacturer explicitly allows it, avoid the dryer altogether, as high temperatures shorten the life of elastic fibres. Long hours in direct sunlight are not ideal either; a well-ventilated spot works far better.
Proper care pays off
Sports clothing is designed to keep you comfortable in every movement – and with the right care it will keep its breathability, stretch and wicking ability through many more washes. Just stick to a few simple rules:
Wash sports clothing at the recommended temperature.
Use a gentle detergent.
Skip the fabric softener and don’t leave sweaty clothing lying around without air.
With EcoHaus laundry sheets and the rest of the EcoHaus sports laundry range, washing stays simple and gentle on functional materials – so your gear is ready for every training run, and for race day in the forests around Vyšší Brod.
What will this year’s World Cup winners take home?
When we sat down with our partner Dárek z Farmy to think about what to put together for the world’s best orienteers, we agreed on one thing – alongside their memories of Czech courses, we wanted them to take home a little taste of the Czech Republic.
Not a tourist souvenir, but honest Czech products from farmers, family producers and sheltered workshops. Products that represent the very best of what is made here.
What’s inside?
With athletes in mind, we chose products they can enjoy without a second thought right after the race, or take home as a fond reminder. That is why the gifts contain no alcohol and no chocolate, which would suffer in the summer heat. Instead we picked products that, to our minds, are a wonderful showcase for Czech gastronomy and honest craftsmanship.
Winners can look forward to grape juice from the THAYA Winery, holder of the title Czech Winery of the Year, or to Czech honey from the Dvořák family in the Křivoklát region, whose beekeeping tradition goes back more than a hundred years. The Křivoklát forests are also a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and it is right here that the bees gather the nectar for this exceptional honey.
The gifts will also include Chráněnky – nuts prepared by people with disabilities at the sheltered workshop in Drahonice. Every package is therefore not only a quality product, but also support for meaningful work for people who would otherwise find employment very hard to come by.
Nor will there be any shortage of jam from the Koldokol family manufactory, where small batches are made from carefully selected fruit.
And because we believe that every race deserves a story of its own, each race day will have a gift of its own as well. The contents will change completely from one day to the next, so even competitors who reach the podium more than once will take home a different combination of products every time – and a new culinary travel experience.
Who put the gifts together?
The gifts were prepared from start to finish by the Czech company Dárek z Farmy, which has long specialised in corporate and event gifts. Its philosophy is a simple one:
When it comes to gifts, they should not only look great but also have a meaning.
That is why the company works above all with Czech farmers, small family producers and sheltered workshops, and why every gift is filled with products backed by real producers and their stories.
It devotes just as much attention to how the gifts look as to what goes inside them. Thanks to carefully considered branding, every gift is tailored to a particular company, brand or event and becomes a natural part of it.
Each year the company puts together tens of thousands of gifts for Czech and international companies, sporting events and major social occasions. Most often they go to business partners and employees as a Christmas thank-you, but increasingly also to conferences, company anniversaries and sporting and cultural events.
A little taste of the Czech Republic
Competitors from many countries around the world are coming to the World Cup. We believe that alongside their memories of Czech courses and the atmosphere of the races, they will also take home a small taste of the Czech Republic – through products created by Czech farmers, family producers and sheltered workshops.
Our thanks go to Dárek z Farmy for becoming a partner of the World Cup and for helping to prepare gifts that will remind the winners not only of their sporting success, but also of the very best of the Czech Republic.
New O-RUN Czech FAN jersey
Everyone was talking about it. And just before the World Cup, we finally pulled it off.
There’s now a special fan jersey made by the Czech brand O-RUN — designed for Czech fans, but honestly, it looks good on anyone.
The fan jersey is the result of a collaboration between the Gradual studio, the Czech Orienteering Federation and O-RUN. “The strongest thing about the whole design and production process is that this is the official jersey of Czech orienteering — and it’s done in the Czech national colours,” says David Procházka of O-RUN. Getting there wasn’t simple: work started back in January and the final version only came together at the end of June. “I’d recommend everyone take a close look at it. That’s the only way you’ll spot how original the details are,” admits David, who was involved in the selection process from day one.
The idea was to create the piece of clothing Czech fans had been missing. Swedish and Swiss supporters have always made themselves seen as well as heard — the T-shirts, jerseys and hoodies in the finish arena and out on the courses speak for themselves. And with the temperatures forecast, the jersey is a perfect match for a Šumava summer. “Hopefully we’ve managed to follow up on the excellent current national team kit with something original that brings the whole Czech orienteering community even closer together,” Procházka hopes.
The fan jersey in the Czech national colours is available in the e-shop, at the O-RUN sports stand and at the Czech Orienteering Shop for 850 CZK (roughly €35) throughout the World Cup — or until it sells out. It’s a limited edition, available in almost every size, kids included.
Cheering for Sweden, Switzerland, Norway or anyone else? Fair play, we’d expect nothing less. But when you head home, why not take a proper Czech souvenir with you — one you can actually run in. Support the Czech team for a race or two, and let the jersey do the rest.
Fantasy Orienteering with Strat-O!
Join the Official Fantasy Game for Orienteering World Cup Round 3 with Strat-O!
Follow Orienteering World Cup Round 3 like never before with Strat-O, the official fantasy partner for this World Cup round.
Before each race, build your fantasy team by selecting six athletes while staying within a limited star budget. Every selection matters: will you back the favorites or uncover the next surprise performer?
As the real races take place, your team earns points based on the athletes’ results. You can also answer bonus questions for extra points and climb the event and season leaderboards alongside fans from around the world.
Different race formats require different strategies, from individual races to relays, making every event a new challenge.
Creating an account and joining the game is completely free. Simply sign up, build your team before the deadline, and see if you have what it takes to become the ultimate fantasy manager.
