Skrevet av: Dag Urdal ; Translator Lisa Karlsen
Dato: 03.03.2009 07:56
Alta has a unique environment for sled dog racing, and compared to the rest of the world it is ahead in developing long distance racing. Finnmarksløpet is the sled dog race with most prestige, and in the light of this we have created a vision; Alta will take the position of - and develop into "The European Center of Sled Dog Racing".
When Finnmarksløpet was arranged for the first time, in 1981, a lot of people didn't believe it would be a success. The people in Alta working with the sled dog race have, on the other hand, been immovable when it comes to believing in their own ideas, and for the last 28 years Finnmarksløpet has been arranged every single year. During these years the race has developed and expanded. Today Finnmarksløpet is considered Europe's longest, and the world's northernmost sled dog race. There are two different classes to compete in; 1000km and 500 km.
Collaboration
- Alta County Council is a very important collaborator for Finnmarksløpet. This will help to strengthen Alta as a destination for traveling. We would like to carry this thought on to the rest of Finnmark, so that our event can have positive effects on the local communities Finnmarksløpet are passing through, says managing director of Finnmarksløpet AS, Gro Anette Olaussen.
Competence
- The mushers in Alta have great competence in dogs and sled dog racing. This competence should be used to secure the recruiting of mushers, says Olaussen. - As a part of this we would like "Alta Trekkhund Klubb" to have seminars yearly with different themes associated with sled dog racing. In the future we hope to keep a good dialog and collaborate on this, she continues.
World Championship 2011
Finnmarksløpet 2009 has gotten status as Norwegian Championship in open class long distance. This will raise the status for participating in the race. We are also in dialogue with " Norges Hundekjørerforbund" (The Norwegian association for sled dog racing) to try and get the World Championship in long distance sled dog racing 2011 to Alta. If we are able to do that, we hope there will be even more competitors.
Finnmarksløpet has been going for almost 30 years, and the organisation consists of almost 400 volunteers who are working night and day during the event, making Finnmarksløpet a well organised and professional event. This should make our possibility of arranging the World Championship in 2011 bigger, says Olaussen.
Research
Researchers have already shown a great interest in Finnmarksløpet, among other things to test equipment that registers the mushers' physical activity. In 2006 a company from New York got the opportunity to test some of their products under the extreme weather conditions that can sometimes arise during Finnmarksløpet. They got to experience severe cold over a long period of time, and with a lot of variation in movement. During Finnmarksløpet 2007 and 2008 they registered pulse and collected urine samples. This will be continued during the race this year.
Ambition
- The foundation for "The European Center of Sled Dog Racing" was put down in 2007 and 2008. Now we have to carry on the work. Being in this position we have a lot of exciting opportunities. We hope to cut the ribbon during the opening of Finnmarksløpet this year, concludes a proud Gro Anette Olaussen.