The start of this years big event for mushers and dogs is just hours away and Alta is the place to be, not here at home where I am in front of my Mac...
I have tried to get some rumors and behind the scenes info from the teams in Alta. Inga and Aslak from the neighborhood is ready, and most of all wondering about which runners to use. Is the weather going to be warm or cold to morrow?

About the potential winning teams, there are a lot of favorites this year. On the 500 km Katy Mayer is mentioned as one of the main favorites, but there are a lot of other strong teams. Among my personal favorites are May-Conny Johansen, Svein Sødal Kvam, Jon Øyvind Selmer, Geir Wik, Kjetil Haugersveen and Jan Vidar Dale, but there are also many other strong teams.

On 1000 km I will keep a special eye to the teams of Aslak, our training friend in Kiruna, Mats Peterson, and Stein Johnsen from Norreisa, but none of these are (sad to say) very big favorites to win the race. Rumors from Alta is saying that both Kjell Brennodden and Ralph Johannesen has strong teams this year. Stein Håvard Fjestad has a strong team to, and him self is in top shape to having lost 20 kg since last year... Other favorites is of course Harald Tunheim, Bjørnar Andersen and Tore Bergby. It will also be very interesting to see how Elisabeth Edland will do. She has dominated the 8 dog class the last years with her fast mid distance dogs, how will this bee on the 1000 km? The forecast says warm temperatures and ok weather the next week and this will favor her team, maybe we will have the first woman winning 1000 km this year?

Espen Prestbakmo reporting from the kitchen table in Målselv