Stage 5 – Les Karellis presented by the Grande Cause Nationale and the Crédit Mutuel

Beautiful 38.5 km stage at Les Karellis sponsored by the Grande Cause Nationale and Crédit Mutuel.

The Savoy resort of Les Karellis, at an altitude of 1,600 m, hosted the 5th stage of La Grande Odyssée VVF on Thursday, as competitors “hit the ground running” with 38.5 km on the clock and 1,330 m of ascent. It was won by Norwegian Hans Lindahl in 1h47’20”, ahead of Spain’s Iker Ozkoidi, and French musher Elsa Borgey, who had won the previous day’s stage. The Norwegian musher retains his leader’s jersey, sponsored by Crédit Mutuel.

In the Nordic category, the rivalry between Philippe Desmurger and Jean Combazard continued to animate the event, but Philippe never gave up, gaining 3’43 on his rival. He therefore keeps the Leader Nordic chasuble sponsored by Crédit Mutuel.

If the grey, misty and rainy weather wasn’t very inviting at the start, the competitors found snow on the heights of the course, stimulating the ardor of the dogs, Scandinavian hounds, alaskan huskies or Siberian huskies. At the end of a long and arduous trail with tight switchbacks and steep climbs, the teams had to negotiate the sometimes sticky snow. On routes of this type, mushers have to rely on the experience of their dogs, especially the lead.

By combining performance and caring for his dogs, overall leader Hans Lindahl was awarded the dog care jersey of the day, sponsored by Royal Canin.
See you tomorrow, Friday January 19, for the Aussois challenge presented by Zolux.