Long rest on trail for the favourite

Rune Johansen, Alta needed more than 23 hours for his trip from Neiden to Kirkenes. He lost more than 8 hours on this stage to the fastest Bjørnar Andersen. A six hour stop to rest the tired dogs was the main reason for his late arrival. Many of the dogs in his team are also suffering from diarrhea. The winner of the two last Finnmarkslopet concentrated on taking good care of his dogs when they arrived at the checkpoints. He quickly prepared the straw and lay out blankets for the dogs. Standing on very tired legs himself he starts to feed his dogs. Meanwhile Trond Ørslien, Gausdal and Ralph Johannesen are getting ready to set back out again, back to Neiden. But this time the course leads them straight back, meaning that the stage is now only 70 km long.