Skrevet av: Niels Westphal
Dato: 09.03.2015 08:14
Elisabeth Edland maintains a clear lead on the trail. She has managed to create a 25-minute head start on Hilde Aksildt, who is number two. Radek Havrda and Ronny Wingren follow her, about an hour after Edland in the lead.
Been in the lead before
Elisabeth Edland has experience with leading races, and having to keep the competitors behind. Leaving Skoganvarre, she was optimistic.
- Things don't always go as planned. Either I will be number one or number two. If not, something will have come up along the way, she said as she was heading ouf of Skoganvarre.
Challenging weather forecast
The weather over the mountain toward Jotka can become a challenge. The weather forecast predicts mild to moderate gale’s force from west and north-west, something which means a head wind most of the way. In addition, some snow is expected. This can make it be a demanding stretch. Elisabeth is normally not a fan of a lot of wind.
- But she does not know about the bad weather forecast. No one has told her about it, her handler revealed to our press team in Skoganvarre.
Mandatory rest
During the night, the majority of the mushers in FL-500 have made it across the mountains from Levajok to Skoganvarre. There everybody must take out their mandatory rest of six hours, before heading out toward Jotka and Alta.
Also this year, Ronny Wingren must compete with the women for the win in FL-500. Photo: Karoline Leistad-Jonas