Ralph was mushing with the same dogs that led Inge-Marie to victory one year ago. That made him a real favorite especially as he will use the same racing schedule.

Sigrid Ekran, Ralph Johannessen and Robert Sorlie

But there were many more who could be first in Alta. Kjell Brennodden, 2009 runner-up, is a solid contender each year. Tore Bergby, Harald Tunheim, Roger Dahl, former champions, are looking forward to putting one more trophy on the shelf. Two members of the late Team Norway were also on the starting line: Robert Sorlie and Bjornar Andersen. Last but not least, Sigrid Ekran who won the Femundlopet one month ago in front of Sorlie is a serious outsider.

In races as long as the Finnmarkslopet 1000, the mushers must take a minimum of mandatory rest on the checkpoints along the trail. But they decide wher and when to take this rest and the extra rest needed by their dogs. This is when a mind game is starting. Everybody tries to keep an eye on the others to check who's gonna try to cut some rest to grab the lead.

Jo Are Brennodden getting his team ready to leave a checkpoint

On that game, Robert Sorlie is the master. He is the one who brought that kind of long runs - short rests way of running to the Iditarod where it is now widely used. Especially by Lance Mackey. But on the Finnamrkslopet, others like Johannessen, Roger Dahl, Harald Tunheim and Kjell Brennodden are good at that also. And Sorlie never manage to get a big advantage on all of them. Moreover, Johannessen has posted faster run times than most of his contenders between the checkpoints, especially at the end of the race. Resting as less as the others but maintain faster runs, that's a recipe for success.

Ketil Reitan on his sit-down BEWE sled

Ketil Reitan has been a real entertainer in this race as he has tried a different schedule as most of the other main contenders. He has tried a few times to stop later than them and grabbed the lead at the halfway-point. He also posted some of the fastest times. But he couldn't keep up with the leaders pace as he seemed to will to give his dogs a bit more rest. But that was a great race he did for sure.

Ralph Johannessen arrives in Tana

Finally, Ralph Johannessen won the Finnamrkslopet 1000 one year after his lover with the same dogs. Robert Sorlie took a great second place with a tiny one meter advance on his nephew Bjornar Andersen! Sigrid Ekran took the 6th place one minute only in front of Ketil Reitan. Jo Are Brennodden did a strong and steady race and got a great  10th place. Hes been many times as fast as the front runners.

Wolfram Schumacher, Isabelle Travadon and Daniele Rao

Huge bravo to two mushers who have completed their first 1000km race: Isabelle travadon and his sibérian huskies and Wolfram Schumacher. Congratulations to them that is a huge achievement to finish a 1000 on your first attempt. Unfortunately Daniele Rao had to scratch after 672 kilometers. He told us it would be his last race. His best memeory of his last season will remain a tremendous 8th place in La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc 2010.

Photos Thibaut Branquart

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