Skrevet av: Niels Westphal
Dato: 11.03.2015 18:20
Steinar Kristensen only managed to gain two minutes on the time difference between himself and Sigrid Ekran on the leg from Neiden to Varangerbotn. If he is to catch up with her based on on-trail speed, he will have to start gaining a couple of minutes per mile - not per leg. Yet the battle for victory is not over by far in his eyes.
- Anything can still happen. It's not like you just turn they key and then they'll run, he says about the dogs. The leg from Neiden has gone "as well as one can expect at this stage of the race".
Steinar Kristensen is still fighting for victory. Photo: Steinar Vik
- The dogs are tired and worn. I am tired and worn, he says with a smile. Then he adds, more seriously, that the dogs on his team are very dutiful. - They are truly unique, he says and keeps caring for the dogs that are to take him all the way to Alta, 360 km away in the western part of the county.
JUST IN: While we spoke with Kristensen, Birgitte Næss Wærner arrived and went straight through the check point without stopping.
Before leaving Neiden, Wærner said that "this is when it all begins!". She contributed to that action herself when she chose to mush straight through cp Varangerbotn without resting, only to hit the trails for the next 74 kilometres towards Sirbma. With that stunt she took over the lead on-trail, leaving Sigrid Ekran behind.
Sigrid Ekran in Varangerbotn. Photo: Steinar Vik
It is hard to tell how much Birgitte's choice affected Sigrid. She has said, time and again, that she runs her own race and does not pay too much attention to what her competitors do. However, 1 hour and 15 mins after Birgitte passed through, Sigrid is also heading out. A bit behind on the trail, but with dogs that have eaten and rested for three hours before moving on.
A year ago Sigrid arrived first in Alta, with Birgitte nearly two hours behind her. It is still too early to tell who will take the medals home this year, however, it is fascinating to see that it is these two women who at present are fighting for the lead in the FL-1000 race. Is it the thought of the Saltdalshytta cabin which motivates them?