Once again, Stein Johnsen to start first

 In 2006, Stein Johnsen was drawn as the first musher in the 500 km race.  In 2007, he has once again been drawn as the first starter, this time in the 1000 km race.  Vidar Løkeng from Malangen will be the first musher in the 500 km race.

 The starting list for the mushers who were registered by 10 September 2006 is now available.  There were a total 42 mushers registered for the 8-dog class.  Vidar Løkeng will be the first musher out in this class, closely followed by Bjørn Arthur Klubnes from Nordreisa and Rune Nordhus from Jarfjord in South Varanger.

In the 14-dog class 1000 km, there were 19 mushers registered.  Stein Johnsen will start first, with Jo Are Brennodden from Folldal and Lars Monsen from Hadeland, respectively second and third out from the start.  

Luxury
This is the second year on the run that Stein Johnsen from Nordreisa has been drawn as the first to start.  Stein jokes to Finnmarksløpet that he should begin to play the lottery, but he does consider it a luxury to be the first musher to start.  - It is an honour to be drawn as number one, and it is really an advantage to start early, to find the trail up to Sorrisniva and to the restart, laughs Stein Johnsen to Finnmarksløpet.

The starting order for both classes:

• 1000 km 14-dog class

• 500 km 8-dog class