Provisional route for 2021 is
here:
- Start is on the coast near Tampere
- CP1 is on an island in the Gulf of Bothnia near Vaasa
- CP2 is inland from Oulu
- CP3 is in Russia - перевал Геологов - Geologov Pass (easy for Finns to cross the border without a visa, a bit of a hassle for others)
- Finish is at the top of Kaunispää ("Beautiful peak") near the ski resort of Saariselkä
I imagine there'll be plenty of challenging mud on the Russian part.
I rode to the top of Kaunispää with Mikko in 2014. It was just after midsummer, solar midnight, and well above the arctic circle (not relevant for ruska). And the air was perfectly still.
Mikko thinking "This would make a good finish control in 7 years time"
There was even a midnight rainbow