Cars Stuck- Dogs Running

The Meteorologic Institute informs of showers and north-west gale force winds in the area between Joatka and Skoganvarre. "Snow drifts fill the tracks reducing the glide of the sleds and will therefore also reduce the teams' speed." As stated to Finnmarksløpet.no by Markus K. Leistad a previous winner of the FL-500. He further explains that in this weather the tracks will become quickly covered by snow, which can cause them to drive off track and lose valuable time.

Dog's food secured

Simultaneously, many of the handlers are stuck in a convoy on E6 Sennemandet and many mushers run the risk of not having their handlers at the Skoganvarre checkpoint. For the time being this will not affect the dogs. Finnmarksløpet has established in its rules that all equipment for the dogs be sent in advance to the checkpoints. Finnmarksløpet's expert commentator, Tond Ørslien states that he is not worried. "The only thing that mushers lose when their handlers do not arrive in time is a warm car to sit in, or a prepared meal and moral support. 

 

 

Depot trucks drove from Alta out to the checkpoints Thursday evening