Skrevet av: Ole Martin Jøraholmen
Foto: Rikke Masternes
Dato: 05.03.2016 12:45
The last time he participated in the Finnmark Race was in 1997. Then Per Morten Brennodden scratched in Karasjok. Today, 19 years later he relaxes in the sun behind his car, half an hour before start. It is striking how unaffected he is by the situation, but Brennodden is not relaxing because he wants to.
– I have back pain, explains Per Morten. The reason for the injury is that the previous great ski jumper from Folldal jumped down from the dog trailer before start, but made a bad landing and incurred an injury.
TAKING IT EASY: Per Morten Brennodden will not let a back injury spoil the day. lar ikke en. Photo: Rikke Masternes
Meanwhile the handlers are taking care of the most important preparation, while the mail character tries to get as much rest as possible before getting started on the 547 km awaiting. The level of ambition in the team is not sky high, and Brennodden himself claims the goal is to make it to the finish line in one piece. – As number one, laughs one of the handlers.
Per Morten’s brother, Kjell Brennodden, thinks it is time that has kept him away from the Finnmark Race for almost two decades.
– He has four kids and enough to take care of at home. He has dreamt of this for a long time, but the opportunity has simply not been present until now, explains Kjell.
The brothers come from a family deeply involved in the Femund Race. In this year’s Finnmark Race, the veteran Kjell Brennodden is handler for his son Ola, while Per Morten has been helped by his son to train the dogs before the race.
– His dogs are good, but he is definitely not in it to win, says Kjell.