The moment we have been awaiting for weeks and months is finally here – race season 2021! This past weekend, the first race on the Norwegian calendar took place in the winter-dressed woods of Norway. Even with strict Covid-19 regulations, Mush Synnfjell was a great success.

Slow, Snowy Trails

Saturday January 2nd at 12pm the mushers took on the 200 kilometers course around the Synnfjell area. 45 mushers with their dog teams experience challenging and slow conditions with loads of snow on the trail. The fastest team had a time of 5h09m, as compared to 3h50m in 2020. Rough tracks, to say the least. 

Successful Covid-19 Regulations

The organisers of Mush Synnfjell had taken several precautions to ensure that the race was done within a safe framework regarding Covid-19. The start area was not open to the public, which is a huge change compared to the massive crowds in normal years. Mush Synnfjell is usually a very spectator-friendly race, as the mushers go through the different checkpoints. There is usually quite the offer of family-friendly activities at the checkpoints, to the joy of both youngsters and adults. This year, the checkpoints were not open to the public, but quite some spectators found their way out in the nature to cheer the mushers on out on the trail.

Elisabeth Edland Taking The Title

After 22h16m of racing, the veteran and former Finnmarksløpet Champion Elisabeth Edland crossed the finish line as the winner. Her team was followed by Claus Grennes and Hans Petter Haugen, 59 minutes and 1h14m behind the winner, respectively. 

All in all, the race was executed and organized perfectly, and Mush Synnfjell was a great beginning to the Norwegian race season. We keep our fingers crossed that the races coming up will be held as successfully as this one.

Results are available here