Skrevet av: Elisabeth Bergquist / Geir Stian A. Larsen
Dato: 13.03.2015 02:02
Levajok, Fridgay night at 1:37 am. Rookie Marit Beate Kasin from Kennel Vinterdans, which could be translated into "Kennell Winter Dance," heads out. The dogs are so happy that they are barking, and the musher on the sled has a huge smile on her face. She is about to complete the distance to Levajok, together with her nine four-legged team members.
The best mushers arrived in Karasjok a while before she left, but this does not put a damper on her motivation. She wants to make it to Alta – she is about to complete her very first Finnmark Race.
The team from Kennel Vinterdans before the start on Saturday March 7th in Alta. From left: Susana Agudelo Assuad, Marit Beate Kasin, Kjell Skattebo and Silje Skattebo. Photo: Elisabeth Bergquist
Handler Susana explains that the race so far had been filled with feeling, especially on the leg between Elletjern and Neiden 2. At that time, she did not believe she would be able to finish. Both dogs and musher were tired.
But toward the end, everything has turned around. Slightly rougher weather was all it took to wake them up again.
Marit B. Kasin and the dogs from Kennel Vinterdans over the mountain between Alta and Jotka Saturday March 7th. Photo: Mads Suhr Pettersen
Kennel Vinterdans participated in its first race in 2009. With determined purchases and own dog breeding, the two ladies in Valdres have managed to build a kennel at the same time as they have gained race experience, first in shorter races but then with longer distance races. Last year (2014), they entered the long Femund Race (F600) and this year they were ready to start FL-1000.
Marit is not only a rookie in this year’s race. When she headed out on the trail from Levajok, whe was the best rookie in the race. The fiercest competitor for title “rookie of the year” is Kenneth Nilsen.
Perhaps this can be a source for increased motivation moving into the last stretch toward Alta?
