Again Terrific Race of Harald Tunheim

After 8 hours and 40 minutes running time Haral Tunheim (1000 km distance of Finnmarksløpet) arrived at 3.58 am at the checkpoint "Grenselandmuseum" in Kirkenes - again a terrific race for the veteran from Alta and his dog team.

NIGHT-TIME MEETING: There were few audience to see in the middle of the
night,but the media was of course awaice to greet Tunheim in Kirkenes.
(Picture: Kjetil V. Øye)

Last year Roger Dahl needed more than 11 hours for this part of the race, but the route conditions have been more difficult at that time. Nevertheless it has to be honoured, that Tunheim presented a extremely high speed!

- I myself am surprised by my speed, says Harald.

According to Tunheim he outran Roger Dahl only three hours after departing from Neiden and he tells that after that he had never seen any of his competitors the whole time.

The dogs of his team, 13 in number, looked very vital - they showed no sign of exhaustion. Harald Tunheim rested 16 hours in Neiden and is thinking about not taking more than a few hours rest in Kirkenes.

Only one break in 200 km

Also Roger Dahl's dogs seemed to be in excellent form after the long leg. Dahl rested his obligatory 16 hours in Skipagurra and had only a short stop in Neiden. With that his dogs had 200 km behind them when they reached Kirkenes - the dogs did not seem exhausted but the musher obviously was affected by this difficult leg.

- Really difficult. I only had one break in 200 km and then there was Harald who catched up to me and then passed me, he tells.