XII Tervastulet

2005-03-25 - 2005-03-27

In the year 2005 we took part for the first time to the sled dog race Tervastulet. It lasts three days. Every day the distance is about 50 kilometers. There are classes for four and six dogs. This race is run in North Carelia near the frontier between Finland and Russia. The race started from Martinselkosen Eräkeskus in Pirttivaara. The route of the first day ended in Raate. The route of the second day went from Raate to Kuivajärvi where we took room at Domnan Pirtti. The stage of the last day was from Kuivajärvi to Retkikeskus Peuranpolku in Lentiira.

Our only aim was to run through the whole race. Antti worked as the musher and Jukka was the handler. Our dog team consisted of Jätkä, Luna, Nome and Uwa. The dogs changed their places during the race. The big boy Uwa was really good in this race.

At first we tried to enter for backpackers class, but Kurt (in the second photo in the previous link is Kurt's team and its handler) from the organizers Old Mushers recommended Antti to enter for the race class of four dogs. Five teams competed in this class.

Antti took many long breaks in the first day. The breaks in other days were short. We were the last ones in the class of four dogs, but we succeeded in our aim.

The atmosphere during Tervastulet was relaxed. We liked very much this race. It is fine that there still are organizers to this kind of races.

During the victory ceremony Kurt told us why he wanted Antti in the race class. In Kurt's opinion Antti doesn't need to learn the bad habits of the old veterans durings breaks!

Waiting for the race start at Pirttivaara in the first day. Photo by Antti Kiijärvi.

Start from Pirttivaara. Luna and Jätkä in the lead, Uwa and Nome in the wheel, the musher Antti. Photo by Merja Laine.

The dogs get something to drink after arriving to Raate in the first day. From the left Jätkä, Luna, Nome and Uwa (back). People Antti (number 67) and Jukka. Photo by Merja Laine.

The dogs in the stake-out at Raate. Photo by Antti Kiijärvi.

The huskies in the car at Raate. Upstairs Jätkä and Nome, downstairs Uwa and Luna. Photo by Antti Kiijärvi.

Going to the start of the second day at Raate. Jätkä and Nome in the lead, Luna and Uwa in the wheel. Photo by Merja Laine.

Start to the second day from Raate to Kuivajärvi. Jätkä and Nome in the lead, Luna and Uwa as wheel dogs. Photo by Merja Laine.

Coming in the second day to Kuivajärvi. In the lead Jätkä and Nome, in the wheel Luna and Uwa. Photo by Merja Laine.

Near the frontier between Finland and Russia. Photo by Antti Kiijärvi.

At last in the race finish in Lentiira. Photo by Antti Kiijärvi.