The Amundsen Race is a young race created in 2008. It starts from Ostersund in Sweden and reaches Roros, in Norway, start and arrival city of the Femundlopet. This 420km long difficult race crosses the border going over frozen lakes and fjälls (desert plateaux).

After a great 6th place on La Grande Odyssee Savoie Mont Blanc 2010, Jean-Philippe Pontier, now settled in Norway, took a convincing 21st place in a tough Femundlopet 600 2010. With such good results, it appears that he arrived in Ostersund with high expectations for the race. From the mass start, he ran in front with the best teams arriving in 4th place with Petter Karlsson (LGO 2008 Champion). He even managed to get the 3rd place on the 2nd checkpoint.

He then even managed to keep a fast pace and even got the 3rd place on the 2nd checkpoint. As Petter Karlsson had to take many dogs out of his team, Jean-Philippe only dropped one along the whole course, arriving with a strong 11 dogs team in Roros.

This 4th place (over 36 teams), behind experienced mushers like Petter Jahnsen (2-times Femundlopet champion), shows how he is improving. His settlement in Norway last summer seems to bring him a lot of benefit. If he already was really impressive on this year's La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc, he will be for sure stronger on the 2011 edition.

It was a good race for the french teams on that 3rd edition of the Amundsen race: Catherine Mathis (14th on LGO 2008) takes the 16th place and François Pagnoux (Trophée Haute Maurienne Vanoise 2008 winner) the 19th. David Godin (THMW 2008 runner-up) had to scratch after he lost the trail.

Photos: Stéphanie Prades - sled-dog-montagne-noire.com