Ice and drifting snow on the way towards Karasjok

-The conditions are varying, and the two last (Norwegian) miles were heavy, says Gisle Mjåtvedt who came to Levajok early this morning. Jon Øyvind Selmer who is getting ready to leave the checkpoint has not heard anything about the track conditions ahead.

Mjåtvedt came to Levajok this morning to get some well earned rest after two hard last miles. The dogs are doing a great job, and the conditions were pretty much as expected, but I have used two hours on the last couple of miles, says Mjåtvedt.                                     

The weather is mild and it is windy in Levajok today, and according to the Race Marshall it is varying between ice and drifting snow on the track. The conditions on the river towards Karasjok, however, are supposedly good. On checkpoint the temperature is 4 degrees below zero, a temperature that is far from optimal for the sled dogs. They work better at lower temperatures, and the mushers have to take this in consideration. High temperatures mean lower intensity in the track. Jon Øyvind Selmer is preparing his dogs to leave checkpoint, and he has no plans of pushing them too hard. - I don't race to compete, he says. Selmer, who has borrowed his dogs from Tunheim is known as a good musher, who will get the best out of every dog. -You have to drive with what you have, he says.