Rector’s Cup 2025 got off to a strong start: as part of the Campus Party, the Pentathlon brought 28 student organization teams to the Student House parking lot.
On Friday, September 5, it was revealed which student organization was the most skillful, clever, and enduring. The first stage was won by Soc-maja kubernerid, who scored 37.5 points.
The entertaining pentathlon tested both speed and appetite. This time participants faced challenges such as a hobby horse relay, a music quiz, water transfer over the head from bucket to bucket, a foamy slip’n’flip, and culminating in the legendary competition of eating a 1.1 kg “Pealinna” cake. The third event tested accuracy and coordination in particular, as participants had to pour water from a bucket over their head into their teammate’s bucket, hoping that as much as possible would actually reach its destination.
“The pentathlon was once again a complete success for us – nearly 30 teams and great weather prepared our most active students for the new Rector’s Cup season. I hope that the participants enjoyed it just as much as we enjoyed watching them compete,” said Tom Erik Luoma-Aho.
Top three and the battle for points
1st place: Soc-maja kubernerid – 37.5 p
2nd place: ÜE Tudengielu Kiizud – 30.5 p
3rd place: VESKI – 30.5 p
The second and third place teams both finished with 30.5 points, with the final ranking decided by a tiebreaker. Just outside the podium were Kultuuriklubi (22 p) and Mereakadeemia Bernoulli seadus (21 p). In total, more than twenty student organizations took part, including one team from TTK University of Applied Sciences.
Faculty standings after the first stage
Competition points:
School of Business and Governance – 350 p
School of Engineering – 275 p
Estonian Maritime Academy – 200 p
School of Science – 125 p
School of IT – 150 p
Activity points:
School of Business and Governance – 54 p
School of Engineering – 47 p
Estonian Maritime Academy – 70 p
School of Science – 100 p
School of IT – 23 p
Overall standings after the first stage:
School of Business and Governance – 404 p
School of Engineering – 322 p
Estonian Maritime Academy – 270 p
School of Science – 225 p
School of IT – 173 p
The journey continues on September 23 – Relay Race
The Pentathlon was only the beginning. Up next is TalTech Rector’s Cup Relay Race 2025, which will take place on September 23 at 19:00, right in front of the university’s Main Building (Ehitajate tee 5).
Teams of five can take part, with each runner covering about 3.5 km. The fastest women’s, men’s, and mixed teams will be awarded in both TalTech and overall standings. The relay race also doubles as the Estonian Student Championships in middle-distance relay running.
Register your team by September 20 here
Prizes and point system
The Rector’s Cup is not just about glory – there’s real money at stake. This year’s prize fund is once again €15,000, distributed as follows:
1st place: the winning faculty’s student union receives €10,000, to be used for creating something beneficial for the entire university community (such as organizing an event, development, or infrastructure improvement).
2nd place: the student union takes home €3,000, which may also be used to cover costs of a planned event.
3rd place: €2,000, with similar flexible usage rules.
The points system remains the same as last year. Points per stage:
1st place – 350 p
2nd place – 275 p
3rd place – 200 p
4th place – 150 p
5th place – 125 p
Additional activity points reward faculties for bringing out their students:
School of Engineering – 1 p / participant
School of IT – 1 p / participant
School of Business and Governance – 1.5 p / participant
School of Science – 5 p / participant
Estonian Maritime Academy – 5 p / participant
The Rector’s Cup has kicked off, the rankings are on the move – and the next big challenge awaits on the relay track on September 23.