Skrevet av: Stefan Sanne/Olav Hatlen
Dato: 09.03.2004 08:58
Coming from the deep south, Catalonian Miquel-Angel Martinez crossed the finish line in Alta at 2:04 on tuesday morning. He seemed very happy and satisfied after his finish. He explained that he had some trouble with his dogsa along the way, but overall everything went as planned.
The musher from Barcelona took part in Finnmarkslopet for his second time and he mentions that he was not realizing what he was getting into when he participated for the first time. This time he prepared mentally and he knew the landscape and the trails with his difficulties.
Miquel's goal was to finish with all of his dogs left in his team. So his main goal was fully achieved when he crossed the line still being pulled by his eight dogs.
Miquel's training efforts are not comparable to that of the scandinavian mushers. 80% percent of his training has to be undertaken without snow. If he wants to train on snow he has to drive high up into the mountains.
After the mushing Miquel now faces a 4400 km drive to get back home. But even this will not keep him away from the Finnmarkslopet. He says that he will certainly be back next year to add a little sunshine to the event.