Swedish musher wins Finnmarksløpet
Petter Karlsson from Slussfors, northern Sweden came first to the finish line in Europe’s longest dogsled race.
The race is 1,200 kilometres from Alta to Kirkenes and back. After seven days across Finnmark, Karlsson came first just a few minutes ahead of Birgitte Næss from Norway. American musher Dallas Seavey finished in third place.
Petter Karlsson won Finnmarksløpet also in 2016. After crossing the finish line downtown Alta late Friday evening, Karlsson announced he will be racing Finnmarksløpet next year and then go for the Iditarod in 2020.
Iditarod is 600 kilometres longer than Finnmarksløpet, crossing Alaska from Anchorage to Nome.
Norwegian Joar Leifseth Ulsom won Iditarod earlier this week after running with the dogs for nine days and 13 hours.
For photos and more results from Finnmarksløpet’s finish line in Alta, visit the portal of the race.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Annual race aimed at reviving Inuit dog sledding tradition set to kick off in Nunavik, Radio Canada International
Greenland: Siberian huskies, Greenland sled dogs share DNA with today’s canine companions, Radio Sweden
Finland: Nordic World Ski Championships in Finland promise medals and magic, Yle News
Norway: Europe’s longest dogsled race lead by four-time Iditarod champion, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: Norwegian Joar Ulsom wins the 46th Iditarod in Alaska, Alaska Public Media
