No double for Petter Jahnsen

Petter Jahnsen won this years 700km Femundløpet. On 4 March he was supposed to start in Alta, too, ready to try the "double" - to win Femundløpet and Finnmarksløpet in the same year. But an injury of his neck put an end to this challenge, before it could even start.

- Unfortunately, with a heavy heart, I have to inform you that I cannot participate the Finnmarksløpet. Since the beginning of winter the cervicals tamper me so much that my left arm is without any strength. Femundløpet was a test, if my body can handle this. It couldn't, and my doctor as well as neurologist strongly disadvised me to start at Finnmarksløpet, Petter Jahnsen writes in an e-Mail.

LOSS OF VICTORY 2004?

Up to now Petter Jahnsen has had some really good results at Finnmarksløpet, but will most likely be remembered for the injury, that forced him to quit the race in Kirkenes in 2004. He was the leading the race at that time, ahead of Bjørnar Andersen, who won the race in the end. Last year Petter got fifth place, only 4,5 hours behind the winner.

AGAIN A STRONG HILDE ASKILDT

Hilde Askildt had a convincing victory in 2005 in the 500 km-class of Finnmarksløpet. She showed again an immensely strong performance at the Femundsløpet, where she finished in third place behind Jahnsen and Andersen, followed by Robert Sørlie, while previous year's winner of Finnmarksløpet over 1000 km, Roger Dahl, became No. 5. A strong Ralph Johannessen became sixth, Rune Johansen No. 7 and Trond Ørslien No. 8.

This March Dahl, Johannessen and Johansen are starting in Finnmarksløpet, without the competition of Petter Jahnsen. Hilde Askildt will not come to the Finnmark, but instead her partner Tore Bergby, who became third last year. Maybe with some of Hildes powerful dogs in his team?

More about Femundsløpet: www.femund500.com