Skrevet av: Olav Hatlen/Ingunn Vistnes
Dato: 11.03.2004 11:15
The Finnmarksløpet Race expert commentator, Robert Sørlie, believes that Bjørnar Andersen is coming up as the safest bet to win this year's race. - He is doing the right things. The dogs need 5-6 hours of rest at each checkpoint. Bjørnar is mushing by this rule, Sørlie says. He believes that Frode Holten is losing track. - Holten takes too short breaks, and this is reflected in the speed of his team, Sørlie says.
The Iditarod champion is impressed by the race of Kjell Brennodden. He is likely to make it among the top three. I believe he can compete with Frode Holten, Sørlie says. Sørlie has not lost faith in Roger Dahl however. - He will improve his ranking for sure. Roger has a fast team this year, he says.
Last night, Sørlie did not want to neglect winner of the previous two years, Rune Johansen. He points out that there is still a long way to go and that a lot can happen. - I'll be surprised if he makes it to the top. Personally, I believe he races only to complete the race at this point, but Rune is an experienced musher not to be overlooked.
The Finnmarksløpet Race expert commentator believes that the Tromsø couple Tove Sørensen and Tore Albrigtsen will move further down the ranking list. - Their speed has gone down considerably during the last legs, Sørlie says.
Robert Sørlie stresses that there's still a long way to go before the finish line. You can't just put in full speed at this stage. The mushers must keep in mind that they have to complete with at least six dogs. - Everything can happen, but I believe we will find the winner among Andersen, Holten, Brennodden and Dahl. I believe in Andersen before Dahl, but I'm not willing to bet on it, laughs the Iditarod champion.