Finnmarksløpet 2009 almost completed

On March 7 Europe’s longest and the World’s northernmost dog sled race kicked off in Finnmark County in northern Norway. The race is 1000 kilometers long and 36 mushers are competing for the victory. 

Roger Dahl was the first to arrive in Levajok at 03.20 p.m, with Kjell Brennodden following just behind. Photo: Finnmarksløpet.

The race which cross the entire Finnmark County will probably end before midnight on Thursday. Dogs and racers come from near and far to participate in the Finnmark Race. With 14 dogs in each sled there are more than 500 dogs running the full length of the race.

This year’s competition is tougher than ever. Not only are the mushers racing to win the race. They are also fighting for a lush cabin. “This year’s race will be much tighter than before. In general the racers are better now, and larger numbers than earlier are there wagging their tails for gold,” press officer of the race, Hans Petter Dalby, states. This year it is the racer with the best combined results from 2008 and 2009 that will win the named cabin.

As the race enters its last phase, there are six mushers who are less than two hours apart competing for the victory. It is 300 kilometers to go before the finish line, so nothing is final until the first dog sled pass the finish line in Alta, reports the Barents Observer on March 11.

Source: Finnmarkslopet.no / See the results here.