Roger catching up on Tunheim

Roger Dahl arrived at the checkpoint in Karasjok 16.41, about 49 minutes after Harald Tunheim. He agreed with Harald that it had been a long struggle upwards the river from Levajok to Karasjok. - I´m really too old for this. I should`ve known after so many years, Roger laughed.

Still age did not seem to bother Roger while he was taking care of his dogs after arrival. On the contrary, the veteran who has started Finnmarksløpet 19 times, seemed in a good mood and happy to see his girlfriend who is there to cheer him on. 20 km before the checkpoint the distance between him and Harald Tunheim was 30 minutes, but had increased to 49 minutes at the checkpoint. This is due to problems prior to the checkpoint, Roger says.

- The dogs wanted to go to the old checkpoint by the Campground in Karasjok. It took about ten minutes to get them in the right direction. This can happen when you bring old lead-dogs that have been here before, he smiles.

He has not given up even though he has lost some time, but thinks that it is Harald Tunheim who is in charge of the race now.

- The change happened last night when he went straight through the checkpoint at Sirbma. I understood that he probably had rested on the trail, but had no other choice but to follow. Today at Levajok I would have liked to rest some more, but had to follow when Harald left. So now he is in charge.

Even though he is not directing the race any longer, he has not given up the fight for 1st place. Being the experienced musher that Roger Dahl is, he knows that nothing is decided until the first team has passed the finish-line.