Skrevet av: Niels Westphal/Transl. S.M.Arctander
Dato: 14.03.2013 07:42
-We may get four teams almost neck to neck in to Karasjok today. The fight for victory in this year Finnmarksløp could be the closest ever, our expert commentator Trond Ørslien thinks.
-If they are keeping up the speed they have had to Levajok, both Skjerve, Haaland, Wærner and Neff will arrive at Karasjok at almost the same time today. If so, we will get an unbelievable duel in to Alta, Trond Ørslien thinks.
During the night/morning Inger-Marie Haaland has lost her lead to Arnt Olav Skjerve. From behind Thomas Wærner and Hugh Neff are coming with great speed and have reduced the difference both to Skjerve and Haaland. Out from Levajok the difference was about 1,5 hour from Wærner and Neff to Skjerve up front. But Trond Ørslien thinks it is possible for the pursuers to catch up.
-Especially in this part of the race it could be great difference between those who drive fast and those who drive slower. It could be a difference of two-three kilometres an hour between the fastest and the slowest. Therefore it is possible to catch up a lot in the 85 kilometres to Karasjok, he says.
Trond Ørslien is also interested in the mental part which he thinks can play an important role, especially this late in the race.
-Inger-Marie has been best the whole way, driven fastest and had control. But to be up front is hard, and now she has a down period and is tiered. At the same time we see three other teams have made contact with her, for the first time in the race. All three of them will get energy from getting closer and make contact with Inger-Marie. The three have been behind all the way and has not been in the spot light. Now they are candidates to win and could have an effect from that.
-Moreover, every leg is special and the mushers have different associations to them. Bad experiences and good experiences. Inger-Marie Haaland may have less happy memories with this leg. Last year she parked on the river and it could affect her mentally for this leg, which in turn will have an effect on the dogs. Arnt Ola is on familiar ground. He has won FL-500 which is on the same leg. He has driven fast on this leg many times before.
Thomas Wærner has had a lift now. Last year he had to scratch at Levajok due to lack of lead dogs, this year he passed through Levajok galloping. That gives him a good boost. Hugn Neff is used to driving on rivers from Alaska and think he has a river team. He has said he is looking forward to the Tana River, says Ørslien.
Therefor we may have four teams starting at the same time from Karasjok on their way to the finish in Alta.