Fikk verdens beste trøstepremie.
Skrevet av: Tine Johansen / Transl. Liliana Monteiro
Foto: Kim F.O. Nordsveen/Therese N. Andersen
Dato: 15.03.2013 12:30
Haaland's big smile by the finish line. Photo: Kim F.O. Nordsveen
Inger-Marie Haaland arrived at 12.04, three hours after Thomas Wærner and 40 minutes after Arnet Ola Skjerve. In the past year, Inger-Marie Haaland was the winner of Finnmarksløpet 2012. With this year's third place, she was prized with a Saltdalshytta cottage, which is worth over 500 000 norwegian krone.
- Congratulations with the third place and all the conquers, Inger-Marie! What are your thoughts at this very moment? - I am very happy and have nothing to complain about. I like to win, but I think this race has been heavier than those of the past, it has been very cold, hitting forty degrees below zero. For example, people have no idea how is like when the dogs must stop to pee in this extreme cold weather. If they can’t pee, especially the male dogs, the frostbite takes over them if they have to pee in speed. And when you have to put a lot into because of the cold, there is a lot coming out also. So there are many stops.
Tired Haaland after several days in the severe cold weather of Finnmark. Photo: Therese N. Andersen
- What do you think about the fact you just won a Saltdals’s cottage? - Well, it's fantastic! But I have not thought so much about it during the race. I do not like to think about such things until they are assured, because if you think about it, then it might bring you some negativity and bad luck, also a parking, for example.
- How was the final legs towards the finish line? - They were heavy, and I and Arnt Ola sled along for a while; I sled a bit first, he drove a little bit at first, but then he just went away. There was a lot of loose snow and it was very cold. Lots of snow and heavy tracks, so there were many pit stops!
- What were your expectations for this year's race? - Expectations, nooo... I expected to succeed, but did not have any particular expectations other than to enjoy myself during this journey.
Inger-Marie and the handler Ralph Johannesen, happy for being at the finish line! Photo: Kim F.O. Nordsveen
Inger-Marie turned to Thomas Wærnes and Arnt Ola Skjerve and congratulated her adversaries with a warm hug and a broad smile.