Hilde Askildt is first in Levajok

- I stood on the break all the way over the mountain. It almost went a little bit too fast, says Hilde Askildt after arriving at the third checkpoint at 2:18. Her lead dogs Rex and Polmak (picture) are in great shape.

Hilde Askildt participates for her second time in Finnmarksløpet and is now one of the favourites in the 500 km race.

After using 6 hours and 28 minutes from Skoganvarre to Levajok her dogs were still in great shape. But she had been afraid that something could go wrong.

- It was a strange trail. Some loose snow here and there and that can lead to the dogs tripping, but luckily everything went great says the Geilo musher, that works as a pre-school teacher.

She has participated in the Femundløpet three times earlier, but does not claim any winning ambitions.

- I am going my own race. It is the most important thing to listen to my dogs. Mine are used to go a long way before resting. That's why I chose to start out so early from Skoganvarre, explains the 44-year old, while she crawls into her sleeping bag to get some hours of rest at the mountain hut. Hilde Askildt will be taking her 8 hour mandatory rest here.