The three on top

At the 500 km race of the Finnmarksløpet we had a double victory of woman, Hilde Askildt from Geilo ahead of the German Katy Meier, while Jan Øystein Dervo from Tana was the best of the boys as third. Hilde Askildt won with lead of 27 minutes and was in full controll of the race. Meier passed Dervo on the last kilometers before the finish line. - Today there was nothing I could do against the girls, says Jan Øystein Dervo.

Dervo started out from Soussjavre ahead of Katy Meier but the last 100km her team was simply stronger. Meier took a tactical choice at Soussjavre by shifting the lead dogs of the team, which proved to be a good choice. Dervo, who had planned to start in the 1000km race was still happy about his third place.

- I did not have a chance today, the girls were best, said Dervo. Even though he left Soussjavre as number two, he never thought of having a chance to take up a fight or first place. Hilde Askildts dogs looked fresh and enthusiastic while his were already tired.

- I m actually glad that Katy Meier overtook me as well. My team got help pulling there when she was eading the way and that helped me a lot to be able to finish the race.

During the evenning and night the rest of the teams will be coming in and the mushers will be getting their well deserved rest after two days of little sleep and intensive mushing.