dilli wrote:Lots of questions, Dilli. I've cut down on the quote...
Did your family enjoy their Alaskan experiences?
Kjetil: ( here he passes on the question to his wife Ingrid) Ingrid: Definitely! Alaska was fantastic. The atmosphere was just great. Our main focus sure was the race and to welcome Kjetil under the Burled Arch, but we also had some great culturel experiences among the Alaska-citizens.
What where your familys most favorite Alaska experience?
Kjetil: = Ingrid: The scooter trip to checkpoint Safety was very special but of course seeing Kjetil crosses the Burled Arch was amazing.
Which of your personal kennel dogs in your Iditarod 08 team were you most pleased with and why?
Kjetil: I find it difficult to point out just one dog, because the hole team did a great job, but if you push me I say Lady.She is a young and unexperienced leader, but she was very responsible during the race.
What was your most interesting or amusing experience during the 2008 race?
Kjetil: To have Ingrid and the kids at the finish line!
The field of competition in the Iditarod has increased in quality for many reasons, including Team Norways competitive influence. Are you changing previous training procedures and strategy beacuse of the improved field? Can you share any changes in race strategy and training you have initiated without giving away "secrets"?
Bjørnar: We will keep up the good work and focus on the hole team getting even better and more equal, as a unit. The team Kjetil handled over this year needs a bit more experience to end up as winners.
Kjetil: Nope, no changes. Just give the leaders more experience.How do y keep a healthy balance between caring for your kennel critters, training, competition,your job and your family?
Bjørnar: Thats a tough one..! A lot of planning is needed, you have to be organized and a bit stubborn. Especially during the periods when I feel I run my head against the wall. I'm luckily living with a very positive Lill. She is very helpful and takes care of a lot of kennel duties. I come home from work and she very often has the team ready for training.
Will Lill and Marius come to Alaska during Iditarod 2009?
Bjørnar: We hope so!Uncle Sølvrev keeps beating you in the Norwegian races. How frustrating is that?
Bjørnar: A bit. He is, though, the most experienced norwegian musher so far and experience is very important to become a successful musher. But...now is the time for a change!Do you make silly wagers with each other in races?
Bjørnar: We joke a lot up trail about anything ....Did you enjoy the Amundsen race?
Bjørnar: Amundsen was a great race, I will do it again. The race was very well organized, the crew were mostly mushers themselves and the mushers were very well taken care of before start and at the checkpoints.
Robert: Of course,- after all I won the race....! c",)
It was a great race, well organized and to be a "rookie-race" it was amazing.Can you describe the Amundsens unique challenges compared to Femund?
Bjørnar: Because of the wellprepared trail in Amundsen we could keep a higher speed compared to Femundløpet. I really enjoyed that!
Robert: I very much agree with Bjørnar.Which of your personal canine athletes who ran with Kjetil in Iditarod are showing the most promise to compete in next years Iditarod and why?
Bjørnar: Marius. He was one of the mainleaders in Iditarod and aslo during Amundsen race. This dog has everything needed for being a superhero...I think Marius will replace Masi, my best dog ever. But he still needs a year, or maybe two, before being a Golden harness-dog.
Robert: Kasper is one of my favorites. He completed Iditarod 2008 in an impressing way before reaching the age of three. He really is an up and coming star.
Kjetil: Lady, as mentioned above.
How do you personally prepare for extreme sleep derivation and the mental/physical stress participating in the Iditarod and Finnmarksløpet?
Bjørnar: I've got used to the lack of sleep during ten years competing.
Besides I also have short nights during the preperation. As to the stress I work on staying focused. To put focus on the dogs and caring for them up trail helps me a lot. I go by my schedule and trust myself and what I'm doing. Experience is the key word.TN has built up an impressive and extensive support system in Norway and Alaska to participate in the Iditarod year after year, involving incredible personal efforts and sacrifices by everyone involved with TN. What do you feel are the positive and negative payoffs of this huge commitment so far? Has it been worth all the hassels?
Bjørnar: Sometimes I ask myself that question, but as long as we keep on doing the Iditarod I guess the answer is yes! Working with the dogs is just great, even though I have to let go other activities. I also think I ve been better at cutting off every now and then.
Kjetil: Working with and preparing the dogs for Iditarod is nice work, but at times its tough. Yet I wish for everybody to experience that kind of long distance race. It's quite unique. The constrasts, the sunrises, the downs, the nature, competing for so many days....yes, I guess its worth it! You must have tried out tail dragger sleds by now, what do you think about them?
Bjørnar: No, I have not tried that kind of sled. I had a folding seat on my sled during Amundsen, it worked fine to rest my legs for a short time, but I did worry about falling asleep.Have you experimented with Jeff King/Mitch Seavey type harnesses on your dogs? If so, what did you think?
Bjørnar: I prefer the traditional harnesses, I think I have more power then.Where can we buy Team Norway T-shirts?
Bjørnar: We work on a new model and you will know from hurdal when its ready for sale.
Mmmmmm...... Unalakleet... DO'H!!!