Skrevet av: Erlend Strand/ Translator Elisabeth Suhr Simonsen
Dato: 09.03.2009 09:42
Taisto left Jergul with 8 dogs in his team, two more than the two mushers ahead of him. This gives him a good starting point to catch up to his competition.
-I have not been going faster than what the weakest dog could handle, says Teisto during his preperations to departure from Jergul. That is the reason why he is the first musher to leave the checkpoint with all eigth dogs. This gives him a good starting point before the last leg in to the finish in Alta. He says the dogs looked good last night, even though it can seem as if they are a little reluctant to get started again. -Here comes the mean man to make us run, he thinks out loud, as he removes hay and massages the blood circulation in the muscles. He has espesially saved the strength of his dog Lucifer who usually can be trusted as good help towards the end.
But also Normi, his almost 4-year old lead dog, has to preform. -Now we have to take some responsibility, Normi, he orders as he directs him to his place.
The old-timer also has some tricks of his own and takes a hit from a small bottle. -It's magnesium. For old chaps against leg cramps.
At the check-out he meets Magnus Vian and Ingvild Lakseide who are on their way to check in. -It does not matter if we meet someone who is heading out, espesially not when it's a legend like Taisto, says Vian who accompanied Lakseide over Hundevidda in towards Jergul.