No big climate change disruption for this year’s Finnmarksløpet
Twenty-three top-trained teams will race out of Alta Friday for Europe’s longest dog-sled trail, 1100 km across the Finnmark plateau.
The Finnmarksløpet (Finnmark race) has in recent years been challenged as warmer winters have turned frozen snow into slush at portions of the trail.
Prognosis for this year’s race started out bad, as February became the warmest ever measured in northernmost Norway. Temperatures were 7-8 degrees celsius warmer than normal at several locations, according to the Meteorological Institute.
Open water on normally frozen lakes and rivers, ice shifts under the dogs’ paws, it all trouble long-distance dog-sledding.
This year, though, looks promising for Finnmarksløpet.
The race starts at noon on Friday, March 14th from the city centre in Alta.
Weather forecast predicts temperatures well below freezing for the first three-four days, followed with a few days with temperatures between +1°C to +4°C during daytime. Still, with frost during night, snow conditions in the trail should be good.
At some rivers, though, the organisers adjust the trail to avoid thin ice, the NRK reported in February.
Finnmarksløpet consists of three race classes; the 1100 km from Alta to Kirkenes and return, the 600 km race and the 200 km junior class for mushers from 14 to 18 years old.
The race was first organised in 1981.
Of the 23 registered for the long-distance race this year, are 18 Norwegians, two from Finland, one from France and one, one German and one is from the United Kingdom.
The fastest are expected to complete the race in about five to six days.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: New route, new rules, new era: Mushers gearing up for a Yukon Quest reboot, CBC North
Norway: Norway ambassador visits Alaska to talk climate, Russia and, yes, Norwegian dog mushing success, Alaska Public Media
United States: Iditarod head vet, Stuart Nelson, dies suddenly at age 71, Alaska Public Medi
