Skrevet av: Stefan Sanne
Dato: 10.03.2004 00:26
Frode Holten from Røros is leading the Finnmarkslopet again after starting out from Kirkenes checkpoint at 17:24. Even though he arrived only in third place it does not come as a big surprise that he took of ahead of the rest. He seemed fresh when coming in, very unlike all of his close competitors.
The checkpoint officials confirmed that none of the competitors made any attempts to prepare for take off. The comparatively short break of 3 hours and 57 minutes seems to be based on the rest he got during his 12 hour stop at the checkpoint in Neiden. He seems better rested now than his competition, who took the stop earlier in the race. The tactics of Holten appear to have been superior to his opponents. The rest before the 150 km could give him the decisive edge in the race this year.
Bjørnar Andersen was the first musher to open the hunt for Frode Holten. 2 hours and 45 minutes after the leading musher Andersen started out with only 9 dogs in his team. But his dogs are small and light, which might prove to be a big advantage over Holten, whose dogs are stronger but heavier. Andersens dogs seemed to be in good shape and eager to run.
Tore Albrigtsen left the checkpoint at 21:45. Just two minutes afterwards his former travelling companion Tove Sørensen followed. While Tore went out with 11 dogs, Tove tried her luck with 12 dogs left in her team. The two mushers have enjoyed having company so far, but their tactics will definitely change, the closer they get to the finish line, especially if they should still be in such a good position.