FL-1000: Harald Tunheim arrives first at Kirkenes

Harald Tunheim's name was on everyone's lips as he moved on to Neiden after only a little over four hours' rest. His dogs have kept a high speed on all stages, but will they hold out before they get their long rest? In Kirkenes he was asked whether it was a wise strategy.

-It is a question that always pops up when you choose to do something different from the majority. But this has been my plan all along. The dogs have enough rest and I have kept a little back, explains Harald.

Harald Tunheim arrives in Kirkenes.
Foto: Dimitry Sharomov

He says it was perhaps too little rest in Neiden, but with the weather forecast promising stronger wind, he decided to get to Kirkenes before the weather got worse. -I hoped to get some help from the wind behind me. And it did help, he says, but adds, that the wind came from all sides during the most recent leg.

Arriving in Kirkenes, he was presented with a great new Sør-Varanger sweater by Mayor Cecilie Hansen. Both Harald and the dogs now have plenty of time to rest. He takes his mandatory 16-hour rest here. -Now we take our time. It’s great to get refreshed before heading out on the new leg, says Harald. The team will consist of twelve dogs. One dog was dropped in Tana, while another dog sitting in the sled into Kirkenes has also finished its race this year.

The earliest Harald Tunheim can start again is 10:40am Tuesday morning. The next checkpoint is the new Ellentjern checkpoint, located 115 km from Kirkenes, based in the Pasvik valley. 

Harald Tunheim arrives in Kirkenes for his 16-hour mandatory rest.
Foto: Dimitry Sharomov 

Then the question is whether any teams behind can pass him, while he and the dogs rest behind the Scandic Hotel in Kirkenes. There are many strong teams resting in Neiden at this point, and teams that have rested in Tana. They now have some hours to make up the time against the man who first came to the trail's easternmost checkpoint.