Eternally and always during my five year husky experience I have admired those brave men (persons), who have dared to drive sleds drawn by several (more than four) dogs and even in races. What have got blood to circulate faster than stories of Iditarod, Yukon Quest, not to leave Palvaa-Marathon unmentioned. If I could some day be one of the heroes, who dare to be carried by those wild dogs knowing that the final domination stands somewhere there on runners.
I had to experience race ecstasy embarrassed and humble in moped-classes with three or four dogs and listen to the after play in sauna, when "the right mushers" told of real shivery events on the trail when I personally had felt at most to be only a trail block.
Then at last I realized why not to take some visitors to the team with my own dogs and so as if play a bigger musher. Peter Hedman promised not to win this time in Kangasniemi and lent me three of his pacesetters who could be as an inspiring example for my dogs. So I had now eight dogs and more is not necessary for the win in ten dog class; a brave phone call to Eila Kuusinen with wishes of winning prizes in this class.
In the mushers meeting I luckily got the bib number one so I shouldn't have problems to pass slower teams - so we were ready to start.
Timekeeper counted seconds and finally promised us to open up. Damn, someone had tied the rope round the tree with overhand knot. With several languages I blew up all saboteurs and succeeded in a moment to dig out my famous dog knife with which I quickly opened this Knot of Gordian and the knife high up in my right hand I showed to the public and TV-cameraman how the big class starts
For some reason race arrangers had decided that those who have speed are not allowed to succeed in this race so there was in that nice and slippery down hill deceitful curves and hollows and my dogs who were accustomed to a strait and FAIR trail behaved unexpectedly. Totally without my cause the sled tipped over (it has never done that during our training runs) and threw me a little like on my side. I had taught to my dogs only hike-command so they didn't react with a stop one. In spite of good slide I wasn't bothered to hung after the sled on my stomach very long time. I knew that my leader will know at least the initial part of the trail so I thought that the dogs can here in the beginning take a little speed, I can take them with me when I have run over the lake.
Some of my fellow-competitors were a little worried, but I could calmly state to Joni and companions that they can vanish away so I can quicker catch my team. Well, there were my dogs where we had agreed they should be. When Rane had met them he had been so nervous that he had loosed his own team which was so inexperienced that it couldn't run as planned but broke a good sled.
When I at this point noticed the level of my fellow-competitors I thought they can rage as they like so that they can again in sauna boast about their deeds. So I command my leader to take a little easier and we could enjoy the nice winter day and driving on the snow level but often swimming deep we ran toward the first day finish and TV-cameraman.
I must admit that I couldn't sleep so good when it rolled in my mind how to pass easiest all competitors who now will start before me. At last I decided that it can be best for their ego if I don't pass them but I will concentrate to get the best possible angle of view for the TV-cameraman when now the finest Siberian Husky breed is on show.
Of course the cameraman made a real mistake when he had started to pick away his devices just when we were coming nearer and my dogs were running so gladly. TV-public must suffer now when it cannot see the best pieces.
There were in the place folk with good quality and understanding if we don't include too eager fellow-competitors in ten dog class.
We'll see on the trails, if you dare to came after this.
Hannu Rauhamaa