Når Elisabeth Edland og Marianne Skjøthaug har avsluttet årets utgave av Femundløpet 400 km og Finnmarksløpet 500 km er tidsdifferansen skremmende liten.
Skrevet av: Ole Martin Jøraholmen/AM Bjøru (transl.)
Foto: Sten Tony Hansen
Dato: 15.03.2011 20:20
Yes, it is irrelevant - but after completing both Femundløpet and Finnmarksløpet only 7 minutes divide Marianne Skjøthaug and Elisabeth Edland after 900 kilometers.
As the winner of Femundløpet earlier this year Skjøthaug spent 43 hours and 15 minutes on the 400 kilometer long race. Edland won 2nd place with the race-time 43 hours and 48 minutes. Skjøthaug became World Champion, followed by Edland.
Yesterday Edland took revenge when she won Finnmarksløpet 500 km. She raced well the whole way and spent only 50 hours and 59 minutes on the journey. Skjøthaug came in second and had spent 51 hours and 39 minutes. Edland became Norwegian Champion and Skjøthaug the silver medalist.
When their times are added together only 7 minutes divide the world's two best musher. Less time than it takes to heat a pizza in the oven - and that for a distance that equals Kristiansand – Mo i Rana.
Those who followed Finnmarksløpet in 2010 could also see Robert Sørlie and Bjørnar Andersen fight for the silver medals in the 1000 kilometer race. They are logged with exactly the same time: 131 hours and 13 minutes – and basically one "sled-length" decided who were in second and third place on the podium. Those who think that alpine skiing has close results should start to watch dog sled races! This year 28 teams in FL-500 crossed the finish line within seven hours, which is also quite close.
