FL-500: Last woman standing

Kristin Esseth and her beautiful Alaskan malamutes were the last team to finish in the FL-500 class.


Kristin Esseth, happy to have finished Finnmarksløpet for the very first time. Foto: Kjersti Madeleine Godin

In Finnmarkslopet, to finish the race is a victory itself for both musher and dogs. Kristin's goal for FL-500 was to finish the race with as many dogs as possible, to travel through the beautyful nature of Finnmark and having a housewife holiday. Kristin crossed the finishline with seven dogs in her team. Only one of the eigght dogs that started the race had to be left behind with the handlers along the way.

- The dogs have done brilliant, I am so proud, she says,  at all the checkpoints they have been referred to as teddy bears. If her finances allow it, she would love to participate next year too.

BEAUTIFUL DOGS: Kristin Esseth running with Alaskan Malamutes.
Photo: Kjersti Madeleine Godin

As the ‘last woman standing’ and also as a rookie in the of the class FL-500, she won a doghouse provided by AKSIS along with receiving the Finnmarksløpets slate plaque.

- I am very surprised at the nice prizes, she says, laughing a little on the size of the dog house which perhaps is not made big enough for her burly teddy bears. But the dog manages to enter the house, will get it. Otherwise it becomes a puppy house.

Congratulations Kristin!


FINE PRIZE: As the last woman standing in FL-500, Kristin and the dogs won some great prizes. Photo: Kjersti Madeleine Godin