Skrevet av: Dag B. Urdal/Anne-Mette Bjøru (trans.)
Dato: 05.03.2006 18:10
The distance from Levajok to Karasjok is first and foremost a long transport stage of close to 90 kilometers, and does not give the mushers much chance to use tactics in order to get in the lead. So far no teams have arrived Karasjok, but about 60 kilometers from the checkpoint a group of three teams were observed on the Tana river. We believe Aki Holck from Finland is leading, closely followed by Katy Meier and Erle Frantzen.
What will determine the end result is how the mushers decide to rest in Karasjok. Everyone in the 1000 kilometer race have to rest a total of 20 hours. Six of these hours must be used at Jergul, the stop after Karasjok, while the rest can be uswed wherever the mushers decide according to tactics and the how the dogs move. It is expected that many will take some hours rest in Karasjok, thus it is important for the race how the standing is after this checkpoint. Who chooses to leave first? Who risks waiting there longer? From here tactics and mental strengths will be just as important as physical conditions.
Our expert commentator Trond Ørslien claims that Katy Meier and Erle Frantzen will have the guts to be at the front all the way to the finish line in Alta. It will be crossed sometime on Monday.