Statement by the course setters

This time, the Finnish Middle Distance Orienteering Championships will be held in Rikkaranta, Outokumpu, right next to Ohtaansalmi, near the border of Savo and Karelia.

The terrain features the typical glacial landforms of North Karelia – rocky hills and esker ridges – but in a rather unique combination. Looking at the map, it almost seems as if the work was left unfinished, with no clear, consistent terrain structure. Next to rugged rocky hills, you’ll find clean pine forests, and just a few stone’s throws away, you’re already in dense, hilly forest.

At times, walking through the terrain brings to mind the labyrinthine sandstone areas of the Czech Republic; in other places, the rocky hills of Repovesi or the kettle hole terrain of Selänpää. This unpredictable variation in terrain types will be the true spice of this competition, requiring runners to adapt their pace – both in their legs and in their heads.

Due to the high number of classes and the relatively compact competition area, control points are placed very close to each other. Verifying the control codes will be essential at every flag. In some areas, it could even be said that every possible control site has been used – within the rules, of course.

I believe we’re in for a fantastic orienteering competition that will comprehensively test both skill and fitness. To succeed in this race, you’ll need the legs of a moose, the cunning of a fox, and the adaptability of a sewer rat.

Good luck in the competition!

Simo Martomaa & Petri Vainio
The course setters