Merja Rantanen
Encyclopedia
Merja Rantanen is a Finnish
orienteering
competitor
. She received a silver medal
in the middle distance at the 2008 European Orienteering Championships
in Ventspils
. She also participated on the Finnish
team (with Katri Lindeqvist
and Minna Kauppi
) that achieved a bronze medal
in the championship relay
.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
competitor
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
. She received a silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
in the middle distance at the 2008 European Orienteering Championships
European Orienteering Championships
The European Orienteering Championships were first held in 1962. They have been held biennially since 2000.The current championship events are:* Relay - for three-person teams* Long distance* Middle distance* Sprint-Host towns/cities:...
in Ventspils
Ventspils
Ventspils is a city in northwestern Latvia in the Courland historical region of Latvia, the sixth largest city in the country. As of 2006, Ventspils had a population of 43,806. Ventspils is situated on the Venta River and the Baltic Sea, and has an ice-free port...
. She also participated on the Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
team (with Katri Lindeqvist
Katri Lindeqvist
Katri Lindeqvist is a Finnish orienteering competitor and world champion.She received a gold medal in the relay at the 2008 World Orienteering Championships in Olomouc, together with Merja Rantanen and Minna Kauppi....
and Minna Kauppi
Minna Kauppi
Minna Kauppi is a Finnish orienteer. Kauppi is an eight-time World Champion, including five golds from relays....
) that achieved a bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
in the championship relay
Relay race
During a relay race, members of a team take turns running, orienteering, swimming, cross-country skiing, biathlon, or ice skating parts of a circuit or performing a certain action. Relay races take the form of professional races and amateur games...
.