Skrevet av: Maria Seim Ruud/Anne-Mette Bjøru
Dato: 10.03.2005 20:24
Yukon is Roger Dahl's lead dog. This afternoon he led his team into the 11th an last checkpoint in Karasjok. Tomorrow he has to be ready for the last and final test of strength. - Without Yukon it will not work, Roger says.
Up the last hill before the checkpoint in Karasjok Roger Dahl and his team are welcomed by photographers. The dogs seem to think they have raced far enough. They want to say hello to the welcoming committee. The black lead-dog Yukon stops. The almost identical Smukk which is racing next to Yukon does the same. Yukon turns his ears backwards and listens. Soon he hears the familiar voice. Roger gives some short commands and the team walks on to Finnmarksløpet's very last checkpoint. They are going to rest here for eight long hours.
After parking his team the two dogs in the front sit close together to keep warm. Yukon squints out into the snow. Smukk lays down. They know the routines so well by now. First straw and then it is time for food. After that the two black dogs can lay down in the white snow and rest at the checkpoint in Karasjok. Behind them are eight dogs and a sleigh. Now they have to gather as much energy as possible.
- These two will lead the team from Karasjok tonight, Roger says.
Especially Yukon is an important lead-dog in the team which will leave shortly after Harald Tunheim.
- If Yukon isn't first in the team, it does not work, Roger says and nods towards the black fur almost covered with snow.
- It is incredibly good at starting, it is fast, it keeps the speed. I have had it since it was a puppy, says the musher from Alta.
- I guess I have the same relationship with all my dogs, but of course I appreciate a good lead-dog, says Roger and puts a wool-blanket over Yukon.
Roger is not really that optimistic when it comes to the possibilies of winning tomorrow. At least that is what he expresses now. The development in the race has not been exactly the way he wished. Harald Tunheim is controlling the competition between the two. Thus, Roger and his dogs have not rested as much as he wanted.
But tomorrow he starts 49 minutes behind Harald Tunheim. That is when Yukon is going to show what he really is made of.