Skrevet av: Niels Westphal/Anne-Mette Bjøru (transl.)
Foto: Therese N. Andersen
Dato: 11.03.2013 16:19
Trine Kristiansen Lyrek (40) has been first on the trails since Neiden 1 and has kept the other teams behind towards the most eastern point of Finnmarkslopet.
- It's been incredibly tough. The toughest I have ever experienced, Trine said while surrounded by many spectators in the city centre of Kirkenes. There were no trails and only white. I could only follow the markers, she said.
Lyrek and her dogs are now ready to take the obligatory 16-hour rest in the middle of the city centre. When she wakes up, most likely many of her competitors have caught up with her - and only then will we know who is really in the lad of Finnmarkslopet 2013. Lars Monsen is chasing Lyrek fast from behind. He arrived the check point shortly after 6 pm and he has been able to cut Lyrek's lead down to half the distance on this leg. Most likely is Lars also staying in Kirkenes for the obligatory 16-hours rest before continuing. This also goes for Harald Tunheim, Stine Berget Nordvik and Kristian Walseth who are the ones who mushing on towards Kirkenes.
Many teams are still in Neiden, as they chose to rest there for the 16 obligatory hours. Among those are last year's winner Inger Marie Haaland. Bjørnar Andersen and Ronny Frydenlund use the same tactics along with many of the other favourites. These and many more will start towards Kirkenes this evening and night.
Resting time in Neiden 1
Two other favourites are coming from behind; Thomas Wærner and Robert Sørlie. Sørlie, who arrived Tana bru first Sunday evening, Wærner and another outsider Arnt Ola Skjerve, took the long rest in in Tana bru. Sørlie arrived this afternoon, and had the highest speed between Tana and Neiden 1. Most likely he will not stay long in Neiden before he heads towards Kirkenes.
The GPS-tracking between Neiden and Kirkenes is very bad, with long parts of the leg outside of signals. However, when the teams get closer to Kirkenes the GPS will be back and give good information on the last kilometers towards the checkpoint.