Skrevet av: Niels Westphal/Anne-Mette Bjøru (trans)
Dato: 08.03.2006 04:14
The participants in Finnmarksløpet 1000 have become divided into groups. Harald Tunheim is being chased by Roger Dahl, with 4 other teams following close behind. Two more groups are racing hard further back.
It seems like Tunheim, Dahl, Hans Petter Dalby, May-Connie Johansen and Tore Bergby will fight for the best prizes in thie years' Finnmarksløpet 1000 km. Tunheim's lead might hold all the way to the finish line, but he cannot allow himself to make any mistakes as the others will be on him right away. Especially Johansen and Dalby seem strong right now, but also remember Bergby's excellent finish last year. Roger Dahl is also definitely capable of getting on the rostrum, but seemed weaker towards Neiden and had a worse leg than the others. Kjetil Reitan has been in the front the whole way, but also seems tired. But maybe it can turn around for both Reitan and Dahl?
Photo: Hans Petter Dalby from Skedsmo/Alta has kept high speed tha last kilometers, but keeps loosing to Tunheim.
Behind them is a group who fights to stay among the 10 best teams. This group had Arne Karlstrøm in front from Kirkenes, but with only 8 dogs left in the team it will probably be hard for the farmer from Langfjordbotn to keep the others behind. Watch out for Kjell Brennodden who has really been going fast for the last 100-120 kilometers. Only Harald Tunheim has raced faster than Kjell between Neiden and Kirkenes.
Veteran Karsten Grønås arrived Kirkenes shortly after Brennodden senior with two dogs on his sleigh and a tired dog walking with the team. Most likely all three must be left behind when he leaves Kirkenes. Grønås has also rested more than the others and has lost contact with the teams in from of him. Instead he might get busy keeping ahead of the teams behind him. 
At the end is Tommy Jordbrudal, and Jan Navjord some hours in front of him. They are about 200 kilometer behind the leader and must struggle to arrive Alta before the banquet this Saturday evening.
Photo: Tom-Frode Johansen from Furuflaten close to checkpoint Kirkenes. Photo: Harald Einarsson