The races are starting in a few week. I'm a big fan of sled dog racing and watch the Iditarod every year and have followed the Finnmarksløpet the past few years because Dallas Seavey has raced in it.
Any one else here a fan of either race??
I'm not familiar with the Finnmarksløpet, although I did look it up. The Iditarod does make the news around here (Minnesota), though. I wouldn't say I'm a fan, but I do find it interesting.
shareI thought maybe some of the posters from Europe would be familiar with the Finnmarksløpet.
I subscribe to something called the Iditarod Insider which gives me a GPS tracker to follow the race and live streaming broadcasts of the ceremonial and official starts + live coverage off all the mushers who make it to the finish.
Someday I hope to make it to Anchorage for the start.
It's like any other sport - when you get involved, follow teams or individuals, learn some background information such as how it's played, strategies, training, history, etc., it's very interesting and a lot more fun. I think it makes a difference if you live in an area that hosts, supports, or plays the sport.
Maybe some Europeans will chime in here.
Animal cruelty.
shareNever heard of 'em.
I wouldn't call myself a "fan" of the Iditarod, but I know of it, and it's fascinating.
I've been dog sledding twice, once in Whistler, B.C. in February, and once in Alaska in December. I loved the Whistler run, but damn near froze on the Alaska run. It was 20 below in the daytime (40 below at night). It's amazing how the dogs jump and bark incessantly until they start to run. Then they are silent because they love it! I also loved giving treats to the dogs.
I went to Alaska in December to view the Aurora, which was spectacular!
Never heard of the Finnmarkslopet until just now.
😎
The first time I go onto this forum in a very long time, and there is a thread about Finnmarksløpet, which starts and ends in my "city" of 20.000 people. haha.
I remember when the first American competed in our race, I found it interesting that he was from the same tiny place that Ted Kaczynski lived in his cabin I think.
Who was the first American? I only began to follow the race when Dallas Seavey started taking his teams to Norway 2 years ago.
I think the finish line for your race is great - bleachers and all.
Doug Swingley, I think. Although I can't find anything about it now, the details about the hometown fit. (same as Unabomber's cabin)
I read something about this in the local paper 13 years ago. you know its quite interesting than anyone takes such a trip with dogs because of how hard it is. Even when you've arrived with 16 dogs in Norway, you still have a big distance left.
Funnily I had just watched some documentary about the Unabomber just before reading this 13 years ago. And they used to live in the same 1000.people town.
Yeah, they make a big deal out of it. People get kind of surprised because it's not a well-known competition even in our town. Although Norway is definitely a winter sports country, dog sled racing isn't a huge sport here either, So the location has nothing to do with interest.
Btw this seems like the most expensive/energy taking stuff ever(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NxjdGHsoTc)
I've never seen that - from last year. Unfortunately Dallas' dogs got sick last year and he dropped out of the race.
I'm surprised it's not that big in Norway. They have an very good web site that has a GPS tracker so people at home can follow the race. It overlaps with the Iditarod, so for a while I'm following two races at once.
Your guy from Norway won the race two years ago - wasn't that big news there?
I guess it's just one of those things - you're either into it or your not.
Yeah, I've seen the giving up video on the same channel.
I think most minority sports, or sports that ain't big enough to make it on to TV, has very good online tracking here. And I guess the uniqueness of the contest, gets a lot of people that aren't following, to take a peek at it anyway.
The Iditarod has had a Norwegian winner 3 times, every time it was big news I think, but it's more to the fact that a Norwegian won something outside Norway. Were such a small nation, so it almost never happens in individual sports.
btw, they had to give up in "Kirkenes" a city of 3531 people, very close to the border of Russia. Probably the smallest city by population he's ever been to I would have to guess, haha.
Kirkeness - are you referring to were Dallas dropped out?
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