Flowers from the club

During an event at Scandic Havet on Friday, Marianne Skjøthaug gave FL-Junior participant Hanna Lyrek a beautiful flower bouquet. The bouquet was a gift from Alta Trekkhundklupp because Lyrek became European Champion when she won the Femund Race Junior in February.

– When did you realize you would win? Asked Skjøthaug. – It was about 200 meters before the finish line. There were two older ladies screaming “You are winning! You are winning!” said Hanna Lyrek. Last year, she got stuck on the mountain due to a bad storm, and the race was cancelled. This year she was able to finish, and that in great form.

Trust and team spirit
Skjøthaug, who herself is World Champion, wondered what motivates Hanna Lyrek to mush? – It is the feeling of freedom. The special relationship to the dogs is very important. I have grown up with them, have had them since they were puppies and I a child. The trust between us is difficult to put into words, she says.

Hanna Lyrek is a high school student of sports, and does hand ball and soccer in addition to mushing. Skjøthaug wanted to know if there is a conflict between team sports and mushing? – No, mushing is also a team sport, says Hanna. – It is my job as the team leader to take care of the dogs in my team, for example. In the same way that you are dependent on the wing in handball, your dog team is dependent on both lead dogs and the ‘tractors,’ which is in the back of the team but may pull for two.

Wants to finish Iditarod
Hanna Lyrek’s ambitions are clear: One day she will be at the start in Alaska. – I have dreamt of it since I was three, I think. A few weeks ago I found a photo album with a picture of me on a sled when I was three, and it said: “Perhaps I will participate in Iditarod when I grow up?” It is my biggest dream to complete that race, says Lyrek.