Jukka Rajala
The first ‘Reindeer Cup’ race is held at Äkäslompolo between 6-8 March 2020. This family event is the third heat in the national series. The reindeer compete on the track against the clock, and each reindeer has its own jockey on skis.
The racing weekend begins on the beach by ‘Jounin Kauppa’ (shop) on Friday 6 March at 2 pm. The first day’s schedule includes qualification heats and junior series events. Saturday is race day for the open and elite class events, while Sunday is reserved for the semi-finals and finals.
Reindeer racing has long traditions in Finland, and races have been organised since 1932. Racing reindeer are males, which have been bred and trained professionally. From the spring to the autumn, they live their normal reindeer lives roaming free in the forests.
Ylläs is justly famous for its seven fell peaks or summits. The aim of the ‘Seven Summits’ race, held on Saturday 21 March, is to reach all the summits in one day, i.e. the Ylläs, Kuer, Lainio, Kesänki, Kukas, Aakenus and Pyhä fells.
Teams of 2-3 members each must scale as many summits as possible within 12 hours. The team that reaches all seven summits, or more than anyone else within the time limit, will be declared the winners. The race starts at 6 am and ends at 6 pm (18.00 hrs), and the start and finish area is next to the Kellokas Visitor Centre. There is no marked trail, and you can climb the fells in any order you like. Proceed only under your own power, as no motorised transport is allowed.
The ‘Seven Summits’ race is a traditional challenge, whose roots date back to the pioneer years of Ylläs tourism. This tradition was revived in 2016, and this year’s ‘Seven Summits’ is the fifth since them. Last year 91 skiers took part.
A week later on 28 March, it is the turn of another race that demands both endurance and a spirit of adventure. The Winter Warrior Finland steeplechase is held on an approx. 15 km trail through breathtaking scenery in the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
Barriers are not brought into the park, but instead are built mainly from natural obstacles. So be prepared to run through snowdrifts, crawl through snow tunnels, climb ropes and dive into ice holes.
The starting line is next to the Kellokas Visitor Centre, and the mass start is at 10 am with four different classes. According to the organisers, the best places to follow the race are at Kellokas and Lake Kesänkijärvi. This year’s race is the third to date.
Take part in the international Visma Ski Classics marathon ski race on the first weekend of April. The 70 km ski race from Ylläs to Levi is held on Saturday 4 April 2020.
This popular event attracts both the world’s top ski racers and enthusiasts alike to Ylläs. The elite and amateur races are open to men and women. The race route passes through beautiful fell scenery from Ylläsjärvi via Äkäslompolo, Kukastunturi and Pyhäjärvi to Levi. There are two bonus sprints: the first at km.15 in Äkäslompolo, and the second at km. 36 in Pyhäjärvi. The 55 km route for amateurs starts from Äkäslompolo.
Last year’s Ylläs-Levi ski race drew a record number of participants, 1357 in all. This year, a new record is expected, and the race will be televised. Organised unofficially for several years previously, the Ylläs-Levi ski marathon joined the Visma Ski Classics World Cup series in 2017. The current 2019-2020 series is comprised of 12 different races, starting with last November’s race in Livigno, Italy.
Test your endurance on the downhill slopes on 4 April. The Sport Resort Ylläs organises the Ylläs24h race that lasts 24 hours non-stop around the clock. Whoever takes the ski lift back up again more times than anyone else is the winner.
Both men and women can participate in individual and 2-3 member team classes, as well as a charity category. Entrance fees for the charity event are donated annually to various causes. This year proceeds will go to peer support for children and young people.
The race will start at 2 pm (14.00 hrs) on Saturday 4 April, and end at 2 pm the following day, Sunday 5 April.
Retkivinkit Katso mihin Ylläksellä ja lähistöllä kannatta suunnata retkeilemään. Parhaat vinkit ja ohjeet jokaiselle vuodenajalle
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