The 27th time Tunheim participates in the Finnmark race, he not only takes the top podium place – he also becomes world champion in long-distance dog sledding in his class. The veteran has been a big advance favorite this year, and for good reason. The 64-year-old has won six times in the past, once in the 500 kilometer race and five times in the 1000 kilometer race. Now he has won again, after 600 kilometers behind the sled. – This is a fantastic team that has just gone and gone. They have maintained a great speed the whole time. It is a pleasure to be behind a team like this, said the recent world champion shortly after the finish line. FREEZING: Tunheim has been outside in subzero temperatures down to 30 since last night. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news With this victory in the Finnmark race, he becomes the oldest to win a Finnmark race and the first to win in four different decades. – When you start with a passion, you don’t have the sense to stop, Tunheim said. It was a driver with a solid ice mustache who came in to the finish line, having driven in temperatures down to minus 30 degrees since last night. – I can feel something hanging there, Tunheim laughed about the stiff mustache – and added: – It has been between 20-30 degrees Celsius all the time over the plain, and it was minus 23 down here on the river. So it was cool, but quiet and nice. ALASKA HUSKY: Tunheim has been breeding racing dogs for years and says they are used to running fast. Therefore, they took a solid lead on the WC competitors. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news Full push in the bucket According to the driver himself, he has had eager dogs in front of the sled this year. – It has been tough all the way. As soon as they had rested and eaten, they were ready again – and then they kept cooking. It was a dream team I had this year, Tunheim said when he entered Karasjok on Monday morning. And it has completely lasted. His team has maintained the highest stage time throughout the race, with an average speed of 14.7 km/h. – Dog racing is about breeding, and over many decades I have bred dogs that walk easily – so these have been allowed to go at their own pace and which is natural for them. Then the speed will be high, but at the same time adapted to the dogs, explained Tunheim after the finish line. This meant that relatively early in the competition it was clear who would walk away with the victory in the competition. VICTORY HUG: In the finish area, the roommate was waiting to give the recent world champion a good hug. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news Because it is at the checkpoint in Karasjok that you can see how the result list will most likely end up in the end. Tunheim entered Karasjok at 1.29pm on Monday, while the “rookie” Eskil Knag came in at 15.26 – that gave Tunheim a head start of almost two hours. At this checkpoint there is a six-hour mandatory rest. Tunheim could then drive from Karasjok towards Alta at the earliest at 19.29 Monday evening. – It is absolutely perfect. You want to have such a lead into Karasjok, then you know that unless something unforeseen happens, it is difficult to catch up in terms of driving, said a satisfied Tunheim before the rest at the checkpoint. Before he drove out from Karasjok, he set off his first dog in this year’s race, a young dog who had taken part for the first time and had stiffened his thigh muscles. MINUS DEGREES: When Tunheim started from Karasjok on Monday evening, it was below minus 25 degrees. The temperatures have stayed well down on the scale all the way to the finish, here in Sorrisniva down on the Altaelva. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news “Rookie” into 2nd place Rookie Eskil Knag from Nittedal is in second place in the track, and is approaching Alta. He passed Jotka at 04.22, and set off a dog. He drives straight ahead with six dogs in his team. BRONZE WINNER: Veteran Ole Wingren is fighting for a 3rd place and bronze medal in the Finnmark Race 600 kilometres. Here he gives the dogs something to eat at the last checkpoint before the finish line. Photo: Finnmarksløpet It will probably be a battle for third place in the WC long distance if nothing special happens to the first two. About a kilometer separates Ole Wingren and Jan-Kåre Heiberg.
ttn-69
Harald Tunheim won the Finnmark race 600 km and became world champion – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
