Skrevet av: Niels Westphal
Dato: 09.03.2016 12:30
The Finnmark Race lead group is headed toward Varangerbotn. Birgitte Næss left Neiden first, but according to the GPS-tracking, Petter Karlsson passed her quickly and the gap between the two has since increased. Ronny Frydenlund startet out 45 minutes after, and is hunting the two in the lead.
Our expert commentator Trond Ørslien, is reluctant to predict which one of the three teams will be the stronges. But he does say that Karlsson is looking best so far.
– Petter Karlsson has had the most rest and keeps the highest speed, so he has an advantage compared to the other two, he says.
Head start
The top three teams have managed to get a bit ahead. But, in comparison to previous years, where only a few mushers have stood out from the rest of the participants, many are currently in position for the Norwegian Championship.
– Kenneth Nilsen had to rest a bit longer in Neiden 2 than the rest, something that was smart as he struggled to keep up the speed on his way to Kirkenes. But he is still in the run for a top position, says Trond Ørslien.
So is Marit Beate Kasin. Even though she dropped a dog in Neiden 2, she has a larger team than the and has maintained a very high speed throughout the race so far. She was three hours behind Næss when she left Neiden, but may decrease some of this on her way to Varangerbotn.
Marit Beate Kasin leaving Neiden 2. Photo: Davina Muller
Sunde’s stunt
Ola Brennodden Sunde came in as number 14 in Neiden this morning, but while the rest of the competitors are resting at the check-point, rookie Sunde pulled a stunt. He only stopped for 40 minutes and then continued toward Varangerbotn. Now as number six in the competition.
– This is the first real stunt in this year’s race. Whether it will work or not, or if Ola will pay for this later, remains to be seen, but it is very exciting that someone tries. All the others have played it safe so far. At least Ola is trying something different, says Trond Ørslien.
Watch out for Skjerve
Right behind Sunde comes a musher Ørslien thinks needs to be reckoned with. Arnt Ola Skjerve has so far kept the highest speed of all on almost all legs, and he has a very large team. Large team and high speed is a winning recipe.
– But he is four hours behind and those hours must be caught up either by keeping a much higher speed than the rest, or by cutting down on rest, according to Ørslien.
Regardless, the expert commentator thinks it will be very tight.
– When we get to Varangerbotn it is possible that we will have 6-7 mushers in position to win this year’s race. This is not something we have seen before.