Victory for Mr. Finnmarksløpet!

Nobody has started Finnmarksløpet more times. Nobody have more second an third places. He won i 1992, and today he is he champion for the second time. Roger Dahl is Mr. Finnmarksløpet.

It is a moved and very happy Roger who crosses the finish-line, to cheering and clapping, after six days and nights on the trail. Harald Tunheim and him have fought for the lead for 1000 km, switching on being in first positton. But the musher from Alta settled the fight on the last stage, 13 years after he won for the first time!

- It feels good, but I was not certain about the victory until I passed the finish-line, Roger Dahl says. The tough musher who works in the police is moved. The first thing he does after reaching goal is to cuddle each and every one of his dogs. Not until that is done does he have time for trophies and numerous interviews.

This year's race is one of the greatest thrills in the history of Finnmarksløpet. When the two fighters left Karasjok Harald Tunheim was 50 minutes ahead, and many thought that the result was given. But the rugged musher from Stengelsen wanted it differently. On the 80 km long stage from Karasjok to Jotka he stepped on it. At Jotka Tunheim's lead was cut down to only two minutes, and not too far after the checkpoint their roles were switched around.

- I saw Harald's back and knew that he was in trouble. I passed him right after Jotka but ws nt sure that I would keep the lead, says the winner of Europe's longest and the world's northernmost dog-sleigh race. Tougher than the Iditarod says those who have raced both. That includes Roger Dahl. He participated in Iditarod in 1996, but is not sure if he wil do it again.

- It costs a lot f money, but if there are any sponsors out there just let me know!

This years race has been all about tactics. The mushers have stressed each other with unusual strategic manoeuvres. They have passed straight through checkpoints, praised their competitors and not spoken highly about their own chances. In Karasjok Roger said that the race was done, and that he had to go for 2nd place.

It is a popular man who won this years' Finnmarksløp. He has participated 19 times, a number of starts that no other competitor can match. Therefore it is only correct that he gats the title Mr. Finnmarksløpet!

Roger's kennel is situated right next to the race-trail, about 5 km from the finish-line. Many thought that this would cause problems as the dogs are going to want to go straight home after such a long race. However, Roger has trained this situation numerous times and it went very well, even though it looked critical for a while.

- The team parked twice, but the lead-dogs Yukon and Smukk understood what was at stake and did what was necessary, says the fresh Norwegian champion.

One of mny hundreds of people welcoming him at the finish is Arnhild Nilsen, Roger's girlfriend. With tears in her eyes she says that she has missed her man much. In fact, so much that she drove to the checkpoint in Karasjok yesterday to meet her hero, where she massaged sore and tired legs. Maybe this move helped Roger win. Anyway, this years' Finnmarksløp has a worthy winner!