SALLA, Finland — The Salla Reindeer Cup in Finland, known for its traditional reindeer racing, attracted hundreds of fans this past weekend to witness the thrilling competition.
Despite freezing temperatures and the remote location near the Russian border, approximately 1,000 spectators gathered in the town of Salla, which is about 264 kilometers (164 miles) northeast of Oulu. They eagerly watched as the reindeer raced across the snow-covered track while pulling their handlers on skis.
The event featured eight mushers and reindeer competing in the junior Salla Porocup reindeer sprint racing event. Attendees came not only from Finland but also from countries like Italy, Norway, Germany, and France.
Reindeer racing has been a significant part of Scandinavian culture, particularly for the Sami Indigenous people in the northern regions. Lasse Aatsinki, the head of Salla Reindeer Cup, highlighted the long history of reindeer racing in Salla, dating back to the 1950s when men raced reindeer in the absence of snowmobiles.
Today, reindeer racing is a well-organized competition involving trained male reindeer. The premier event, known as the hot series, featured reindeer that qualified by completing the kilometer-long track in 1 minute and 19 seconds or less. Only the fastest reindeer were able to compete in this race.
Aatsinki emphasized the importance of understanding each reindeer's character and unique traits that contribute to their racing abilities. Owners have their own methods and strategies to prepare their reindeer for the competition.
During the races, spectators enthusiastically cheered on their favorite reindeer with traditional Finnish phrases like "hyvä, hyvä" (good, good) and "mene, mene" (go, go). Between races, attendees enjoyed warming up with reindeer soup and kampanisu, a local pastry specialty from Salla.
The competition reached its climax on Sunday with the final rounds, where a reindeer named Pompom emerged as the champion. Hannu Krupula, the owner of the winning reindeer, praised Pompom for its exceptional speed and intelligence, despite its less-than-perfect appearance.
After the race, all the reindeer, including Pompom, received their reward of lichen, a colorful organism that serves as a favorite treat for these magnificent animals.
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