Skrevet av: Niels Westphal
Dato: 09.03.2015 15:31
Arriving in single lead, Elisabeth Edland (56)arrived as winner of the FL-500 race. Two days, four hours and five minutes after she started from Alta, she crossed the finish line in the same city, well ahead of the competitors.
Fastest all the way
All from the first check-point, Edland has shown that she was going to fight for the lead. With fast running times and well-rested dogs early from the start of the race, she gained a head start in the race. But it was not until after check-point Levajok that the was first in the tracks. The lead she gained then, she managed to keep all the way to the finish in Alta.
None of the competitors managed to get close enough to threaten her victory.
Moving out from check-point Skoganvarre Monday morning. Photo: Steinar Vik
Veteran
Elisabeth Edland is one of Norway’s best musher through many years. She comes from Nsnnestad and runs for Hakadal Sledehundklubb. She is 52 years old, has a partner, children and grandchildren. She has been doing mushing for more than 40 years. For many years she was doing sprint and mid-distance, and has achieved gold in the European Championship as well as World Cup victories. She is also the Norwegian Champion in long-distance 8-dog team from 2005. That year she also received the King’s Cup.
Won twice before
Elisabeth participated in the Finnmark Race for the first time in 2006. That year she had to scratch from the race due to problems with the dogs in the severe cold weather conditions. But in 2007 she was back and won a strong victory in FL-500. She repeated the accomplishment in 2011.
Elisabeth Edland during a challenging part of the trails. Photo:Steinar Vik
She works in team with her partner Per Olav Gausereide, also a musher. Together they have established team Flying Huskies, which consists of good friends and helpers during the races.
Varying conditions
Elisabeth Edland has accomplished an efficient, focused and well-planned race. This year’s FL-500 has seen shifting weather and conditions. During the race she has dealt with mild weather, wind, jib and sunny weather, without loosing her dogs or her determination.