Sweden's Tove Alexandersson is eyeing victory in round three of the Orienteering World Cup in Laufen in Switzerland ©Getty Images

A total of 277 athletes from 25 countries are set to compete in Laufen in Switzerland this weekend in the third round of the Orienteering World Cup.

Starting tomorrow, orienteers will compete over the next three days in individual events as they fight for all-important World Cup points.

Hosts Switzerland have the greatest representation with 10 male and 10 female competitors and have a number of strong medal contenders, including Simona Aebersold in the women's races and Daniel Hubmann in the men's events.

It will take something special, however, to unseat Sweden's Tove Alexandersson in the women's races, after her victories in Finland and Norway earlier this year.

In the men's events, Gustav Bergman will be looking to extend his lead in the overall standings ©Getty Images
In the men's events, Gustav Bergman will be looking to extend his lead in the overall standings ©Getty Images

Alexandersson is a 10-time world champion and already looks to be on the verge of sealing number 11.

In the men's events, her compatriot Gustav Bergman will be looking to extend his lead in the overall standings following a disappointing showing in Østfold in August.

With 100 points available for the winner of each race, Bergman has 309, followed by Norway's Olav Lundanes on 293 and Frederic Tranchand of France on 231.

Tomorrow is due to see the middle-distance races before the sprint knock-out rounds on Saturday (September 28) and the finals on Sunday (September 29). 

There will be no relay competition, with the mixed team event returning to the programme for the final 2019 World Cup event in Guangzhou in China next month.