Finnmarksløpet er skikkelig breddeidrett i ordets rette forstand.
Skrevet av: Tor Mikkelsen/Karoline Leistad-Jonas/ trans. E.S.
Dato: 14.03.2012 11:58
Finnmarksløpet is a competition where men and women, young and old mushers compete on equal terms. The other ends in age are Aila Emilie Sarre (21) from Tana and Kjell Brenodden (63) from Folldal. He has looong experience and has finished FL-1000 many times.
Brenoddens handler answers that the objective to beat Arne Kalrstøm has been altered slightly, since the race has not gone according to plan. In the start it was too warm and things moved slowly. Then things went well from Neiden to Kirkenes, but when it started to snow the dogs got awfully tired and had to rest for more than 8 hours. From Kirkenes to Neiden 2 they used more than 15 hours. He started out from Neiden 2 at 06.21 with nine dogs.
Kjell Brennodden passing Jotka
Photo: Jørn Losvar
The other outer point in age, Aila Emilie Sarre has already gotten quite a bit of experience, but this is the first time she is attempting FL-1000. From Kirkenes to Neiden 2 she had the best run time! She came in to Neiden 2 with 11 dogs and did the leg in a little over ten hours in spite of the bad weather. Strong! Her objective is to finish in good style. Her handlers inform us that she is in great shape, and will eat and sleep a little before continuing towards Sirbma. The speed in the dog team is looking good.
This is what is so special with Finnmarksløpet and separates this sport from others.
FL-500
Like in FL-1000 we have the youngest musher Kim Frode Ophus Nordsveen from Hamar at 21 years old and the eldest Phillip John Gretton from Derby in England at 63 years old. Another example of this being a sport where age does not matter. Everyone can compete, as long as you are over 18 years old.
Both have finished this year’s FL-500 as rookies.
Phillip Gretton heading for checkpoint Jotka
Photo: Jørn Losvar
Youngest in FL-500 is 21 year old Kim Frode from Hamar, and this is his first Finnmarksløp. He has experience from Femund 400 which he has run in 2010 and 2011. His objective for FL-500 is to get experience for himself and his dogs. Kim finished as number 50.
Kim Frode at the finish line in Alta
Photo: Sten Tony Hansen