The Femundløpet 2022 is on!
Everyone is ready to go!
As we are writing this, Birgitte Næss is in the lead in the Femund Race, just one day since the race started. This year, the race has been organized as a wilderness event, due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
The mushers started at dusk, yesterday, with snow falling and temperatures of -20 in Moan, Røros. They will be covering 650 kilometers of trails into the Norwegian forest, over mountains, and across frozen lakes.
Most of them have already passed the 2nd checkpoint Drevsjø. There are six checkpoints in total, the 1st one was Tufsingdalen and they still have to pass through Flendalen, Søvollen, Orkelbogen and Tolga. They will finish at Malmplassen in the center of Røros.
A team of dogs excited for the race to start! Photo: Chamedia
The king of Femund
Two times Iditarod-champion Robert Sørlie has won the Femund race 13 times, including the last one in 2022. The retired fireman has participated in all 31 Norwegian races.
The runner up
Birgitte Næss has finished in 2nd place three times before, including in the 2020 Femund Race, so she is thirsty for number one. Næss is now in the lead, but things can change in the next couple of day.
Happy huskies ready for the race. Photo: Chamedia
QRILL PAWS 2020 champion
Thomas Wærner, who won both the Finnmark and Femund race in 2019, and is also the QRILL PAWS 2020 champion, has been in the lead most of the time on day 1 of Femund race.
The explorer and the youngster
Competing this year are also Lars Monsen, former Femund and Iditarod competitor, and 22 year old, Hannah Lyrek, who back in 2019 became the youngest person to participate in the Femund Race.
Until we find out who will win the 2022 Femund Race, here are a few great pictures from day 1!
An excited dog team. Photo: Chamedia
Musher and their dogs starting on the trail. Photo: Chamedia
Happy to start the race. Photo: Chamedia