Robert Sorlie in Avoriaz in 2009

If he's called Mr Femundlopet that's because he has run all the editions of the race since its creation in 2005 and owns the number of victories record with 6 wins. He's at home on the Femundlopet trail and as usual he is leading the race. But right behind him is Sigrid Ekran who won last year after Robert took the lead, so... Sigrid, who took the 3rd place behind Robert in 2009 on LGO is the other major favorite of the race but you could name at least 10 other mushers who could win.

Sigrid Ekran longe le lac du Mont-Cenis

The leaders have already covered one third of the 605 kilometer-long trail. There is another interest in the Femunlopet this year as the winner will get the title of world champion in long distance mushing. A competition that is held for the first time but witout any north-americans running it. This trophy would for sure fit well on Sorlie's shelves but the race is still very long and nothing is done yet.

Many other LGO veteran are running the race like Ketil Reitan, Petter Karlsson, Arnt Ola Skjerve and Jack Gaspard. There is also a shorter Femund that is 400 kilometers long. It will be really interesting to see how the french teams of Jean-Philippe Pontier, Isabelle Travadon et Sandrine Muffat-Méridol perform.

To follow the race: femundlopet.no

Photos : Tancrède Cadic - Franck Desprez