Finnmarksløpet’s longest distance, known as Europe’s longest and toughest dog race, FL1200, started on Friday. 28 athletes will cross the starting line in Alta – and each with their own team of 14 dogs. The teams will leave behind 1,200 kilometers through both open land and untouched wilderness before they return next Friday. In the longest class, there is one clear favourite. In the 600 km class, there have never been more possible winners. Read more about the experts’ favorites here. Here at Sorrisniva in Alta, the drivers must pass. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news Participants about the mild weather: – Will open calmly and rest a bit – It is very mild, and it is always a challenge. For my part, I will open quietly and rest a bit in the mild weather, says dog runner Niklas Rogne, who hopes for colder weather beyond the competition. Last year’s winner Petter Karlsson also says that his strategy will be to take it easy from the start. – I think that is even more important than ever because I have a fierce team this year who are going very hard. But it’s also hot – and then you have to drive them so that they eat and drink, he says. Dog walker Tom-Frode Johansen welcomes the mild weather with a smile. – I think we are quite lucky because it is mild. It will be perfect to follow a tactic where you rest outside the checkpoint, so I am very happy, he says. Tom-Frode Johansen drives out from the start in Alta at FL1200. Photo: Jan Helmer Olsen He emphasizes that the weather conditions can lead to challenges such as excess water, more changes of paw socks and that the dogs can end up in a mode where they eat worse. But he believes it is important to look for what is good as well. – The good thing is that you don’t have to freeze. And it’s kind of delicious, he laughs. news’s dog sled expert, Hans Petter Dalby, says that it will be important for the participant to stay on the trails as the conditions are now. – Then the dog handlers have to keep a cool head and apply the brakes, he says. In addition, he explains how the mild weather affects the track: – Now it has been mild weather which has caused the tracks to be compressed. In addition, the night frost has led to hard tracks. It is a challenge that the drivers cannot drive too fast – because then the dogs can become stiff, says Dalby. Expert commentator Hans Petter Dalby follows the race closely. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news Measures taken Finnmarksløpet has taken measures to make the tracks more comfortable. – We have taken measures on the river to tear up the surface so that you avoid sections that are very slippery, says trail runner Kurt Nilsen. Adventurer Jens Kvernmo takes part in the longest distance. But a lot of ice and hard tracks make him worried about whether all the dogs will be able to keep up throughout the race. – There is a big risk that you can get a lot of damage to the bucket. It will be exciting to follow those who will drive all the way into the tet match. I’m guessing someone will go for a little caramel, he says. How to follow the race this year The Finnmark race consists of three classes. 600 km and the Junior class starts tomorrow, Saturday 9 March at 13.00. This year, the junior and 1200 class have NM status. This means that Norwegian champions will be named during the race. Here you can see the race that the three classes will run. Photo: Finnmarksløpet Over 100 teams cross the starting line in Alta this weekend. Every day, for eight days, news will follow dog sledders and traders closely out on the trail. news continuously updates our dog racing website. Read more about how to obtain the overview below here:
ttn-69
Direct Finnmarksløpet 2024 – start of the 1200 km class – Finnmarksløpet – news
