Trailbreaker Johansen

Finnmarksløpet er avhengig av dyktige og fjellvante scooterkjørere til løypekjøring.

Magne Johansen from Alta is responsible for the western traisl of Finnmaksløpet. The end of the race is close and the coming night and day will be exciting. It is important to have good trailbreakers or "follow-snowmobiles" as it is called in the language of Finnmarksløpet. 

As part of the Finnmarsløp staff there are people who knows how to handle snowmobiles, as well as being familiar with the county. Some of them know the trail like their own back pocket, so to speak. Magne is one of them. The other who are responsible for the trails are Tom Hardy, Krister Høøk, Hans Arne Bekkeli and Are Hallonen - all have great knowledge and are experienced. 

We got a hold of him on the phone while he was on the Tana river on his way to Levajok this afternoon. He told us that his colleague Trond Frogum and himself were out inspecting the trails on the river. On the leg from Levajok to Karasjok they have worked very hard to re-mark the trail. Strong winds have blown down many of the marks. In the middle of his work Magne has time to answer some questions. 

How many years have you been a volunteer for Finnmarksløpet?

- I think that all in all its been 25 years. Most years I have been making trails, but I also worked on checkpoints in the early years of the race. 

Magne got the Prize 'Volunteer of the year' in 2007 as a symbol for the work and efforts he has put into race for so many years. He clearly appreciated the Prize. 

Magne receives the Prize in 2007. Photo: Finnmarksløpet

 

Many hours of volunteer work are necessary ahead of the race. 

- This year we started preparing the trail quite late. We've had very little snow all winter and at one point I was quite stressed whether we would get enough of it. We started grooming later than usual and only about three weeks before the race did we have enough snow to start. I have done approx. 3000 km on the snowmobile to make everything ready for the race. At the same time as making the trails we also mark them with sticks, and this takes quite some time MAgne says.

Now, during the race, what is your job then?

- We drive ahead of the lead to groom the trails and make sure everything is ok. We put up new marks if any has blown over. If the weather is bad with snow and wind, the trails may still close before the first team arrives. We also take extra rounds in areas where we think it is needed, like today. This evening we are preparing the drive across from Karasjok to Alta, before Haaland and Tunheim leave. Trond and I left from Alta this morning in bad weather with snow, strong winds and low visibility. The weather is changing quickly in the area that the mushers are entering and it is a hard and exciting leg, Magne Johansen concludes.

Johansen and colleague Trond Frogum plan to arrive back in Alta Friday morning, but it depends on the weather. 

 

Magne Johansen and Sten Håvard Fjestad. Photo: Trond Anton Andersen.