Femundløpet 2021 More Spectacular Due To Covid-19 Adaptations
The Corona pandemic has been a showstopper for the majority of sports and cultural events in Norway since March. Finally, Femundløpet has received approval from the Norwegian Directorate of Health to hold the race in 2021. The planning process is well underway.
Risk Analysis and Measure Plan
According to the Femundløpet website, Race Director Jon Anders Kokkvoll and Covid-19 Coordinator Gro Åsne Lohn have been working on the risk analysis and measure plan in relation to the virus.
COVID-19 Race Status Femundløpet
“The risk analysis is now approved from the authorities. Our biggest fear is to experience an outbreak of the virus caused due to the event being held. The simplest solution for us would definitely have been to cancel the 2021 edition. But thanks to great guidance from the health authorities, and the approval for holding a Covid-friendly event we just received, the whole organization behind the race are ready to put in our best effort to make Femundløpet 2021 one for the books” says Kokkvoll, adding to it that life must go on.
Femundløpet 2021 might become the rawest and most demanding edition of the race to date.
Rawer than Usual
«Its gonna be a different race – the kind of race many people have been requesting. It will probably be an even rawer and more spectacular experience for the mushers and the spectators,” says Kokkvoll.
Amongst the changes they have been forced to do, is to move the start from Røros city centre to a start from their respective cars at Moan and Gjettjønna. F-650 and F-450 will start their race on Friday, while F-Junior and F-200 will get going on Saturday.
“Moving the start out of Røros is something we strongly regret doing. We, and many others, really appreciate the unique atmosphere we usually experience during the start in the narrow streets of Røros” says Kokkvold.
Wilderness Race for all Categories
The most significant change for the mushers and their teams is that Femundløpet 2021 will be a wilderness-checkpoint-only race. When the mushers arrive the different checkpoints along the course, they are not allowed to exit the checkpoint for eating and resting. They are obligated to feed and rest together with the dogs at the checkpoints, just like they train during the rest of the season. The checkpoints will offer facilities for eating, toilets and cozy bonfires.
I feel very confident that lots of great stories will be exchanged around the bonfires in between the mushers,” Kokkvoll says.
Start and Finish for All Categories in Røros
All categories will in 2021 have their start and finish just outside the city centre of Røros. The race course for F-Junior and F-200 will be changed, going from Røros, through Tufsingdalen and Tolga, before returning to Røros.
Normally, the start of Femundløpet is held in the unique streets of Røros.
«The interest from volunteers wanting to contribute to the organization has been increasing in the previous years. This time, we try to reduce the amount of volunteers needed. We are currently working on a maximum and minimum requirement for volunteers. The different checkpoints have their own need for assistance. Similarly, we are planning on a reduction spectator points at the arenas. Out on the trail, the nature is open for all to set up camps with tents and bonfires,” suggests Kokkvoll.
One of the biggest challenges is the veterinarians, where the majority normally come from countries currently listed as red.
“How the veterinary service will be is not totally in place yet, but we can guarantee a proper level of dog welfare at this race. Even though this year’s race will be tougher and rawer than previous years, we are aiming for positive experiences for mushers, dogs, partners and spectators. We are extremely focused on avoid any virus outbreaks, but the most important thing is to be able to hold Femundløpet 2021, Kokkvoll point out.
Flendalen Becomes Checkpoint
All checkpoints at Femundløpet, like this one in Trysil, will become wilderness checkpoints in 2021.
For the F-650 race, the major change is the checkpoint Trysil will be moved up in the mountains to Flendalen, renaming it to Flendalen-Trysil, located 20 kilometers north of Trysil.
The course to Orkelbogen for F-650 and F-450 will be drawn further west, making it significantly less hilly, but increasing the distance a bit.
“We are currently in a dialogue with landowners and the county governor concerning approvals for these changes. F-Junior and F-200 courses will be as they were three years ago, running through Tufsingdalen and Tolga. We are doing this to simplify logistics for the mushers and their teams.
The organization at the checkpoint will require the mushers to be much more independent in 2021. Due to this, we will organize the checkpoints in different zones for each category, says Kokkvoll.
The different checkpoints will also have individual measures that will have to be cleared with the health authorities.
Femundløpet 2021 will be one of the big highlights of the season - both for dogs and mushers.