What is a handler?

Under første Finnmarksløp for 30 år siden hadde kjørerne alt nødvendig utstyr i sleden. I dag er er saken en ganske annen.

The first Finnmarksløp went from Alta to Karasjok where the mushers signed in in a book at Karakroa - a local pub, before returning across the mountain to Alta. They had to bring all the equipment they needed for their "expedition" in their sleds.

Today the mushers bring first aid and survival gear for themselves and the dogs in the sled, while all other necessary items are brought from check point to check point in handler cars. Straw and depot bags are sent around the track in trucks. At the check pointsthe mushers meet their handlers - helpers - who fix practical things. The handlers are not allowed to help the mushers with the dogs directly. Still, they help taking care of the musher; cook food, dry clothes, make sure they get enough sleep, massage of aching muscles and work with motivation. Also, the handlers keep "their" mushers updated on race times and how their competitors are doing. They help making schedules and plan strategies for the race. To confuse the other teams they also sometimes speak loudly about how "their" musher is doing - as part of the tactics to win the race.

Most mushers have two handlers so that they can share the driving between the check points. They do not sleep much but wait alot, so the race is tough also for them. The caring that the handlers provide is only for the mushers' well being, they are not in any way allowed to help with the dogs at all. If they do so, the musher risks being disqualified from the race.