I 100milas siste døgn har Finnmarksløpet i kveld mottatt den triste beskjeden om at kjøreren Thomas Hoffmann fra Tyskland i ettermiddag ankom Neiden II med hunden Dolcetto død i sleden.
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Dato: 17.03.2010 22:04
Last night Finnmarksløpet received the sad message that Thomas Hoffmann from Germany came in to Neiden II with the dog Dolcetto dead in the sled.
The musher Thomas Hoffmann came to Finnmarksløpet without any ambitions to compete up front. His aim was to get to the finishing line and to give his dogs a good experience. Lots of rest and just take it easy.
Thomas Hoffmann explained that one hour before Neiden II he stopped in order to snack the dogs. He gave the dogs food in turn and found Dolcetto ready for a treat. A devastated Hoffmann explains that when it was Dolcetto’s turn, he died without warning before his eyes. He started resuscitation and kept on for an hour, before he understood that one of his best dogs had past away.
Dolcetto has at all the vet examinations at all the checkpoints during the race not shown any signs of injuries or illness. Together with the rest of the team it has been checked by veterinarians throughout the race. Finnmarksløpet has a vet-team composed of the ten experienced veterinarians. These are from five different countries, and many of them are specialists in this type of animal health. For that reason they are wanted at races all over the world. During the race they perform between 10 000 and 15 000 examinations of the 1 600 dogs taking part in this years race.
-We have checked Dolcetto at every checkpoint and he has been healthy and not shown any sign of illness. Dolcetto was two years old and fit. We do not know why he died. He will be sent to the Veterinærinstituttet i Tromsø for autopsy. The result will be made know within the next two weeks, says Chef Veterinarian Charlotte Leschbrandt.
-This is very sad! Thomas is a very experienced musher, and this is the greatest nightmare for anyone who works with dogs. Everyone within the sport feels with him tonight, says Hans Petter Dalby, Head of Public Relations & Media Contact for Finnmarksløpet.
Hoffman has decided not to finish the race, and stops at Neiden II.
Race Marshal Marit H. Hoveid explains that Hoffmann has kept to all the formalities when something unexpected and sad like this happens.
Last time a dog died during Finnmarksløpet was in 2007.
We ask that Thomas Hoffmann is treated with respect and that any questions are directed to Head of Public Relations & Media Contact Hans Petter Dalby.
Finnmarksløpet will bring a new memo when the autopsy report is ready.
Hans Petter Dalby, Head of Public Relations & Media Contact
Phone: 99027981 E-mail: press@finnmarkslopet.no