At 19, Julie Olsen takes second in her Finnmarksløpet 600 debut

Photo credits: Marthe Nyvoll

 

Across the wide snow-blown plateaus and frozen river valleys of Finnmark, long-distance racing rewards resilience, discipline, and a deep trust between musher and dogs. In the Finnmarksløpet 600 - the world’s northernmost sled dog race and part of Europe’s longest and toughest sled dog race - teams of eight dogs travel nearly 600 kilometers from checkpoint to checkpoint across northern Norway’s Arctic landscapes, where experience often defines the outcome.

This year, a 19-year-old musher from Lillehammer, Norway, stood out from the competition.

It was her first time taking part in the race, yet Non-stop dogwear ambassador Julie Olsen crossed the finish line in second place. A result few would have predicted, and one rarely achieved at that age in Finnmarksløpet history.

Julie’s goal at the start was simple: finish the race with healthy, happy dogs, stick to her plan, and aim to finish in the top 10.

Instead, after two days and 23 hours on the trail, she stood on the podium.

From early passion to the start line

Julie’s path into sled dog racing began early. After trying dog sledding at the age of twelve, she quickly became hooked. By the following year, she was already working with sled dogs, and the sport soon became her new lifestyle.

When she was 16, she set a goal to participate in Finnmarksløpet, a race many experienced mushers see as a key milestone.

This season felt like the right time.

“I felt ready and had a strong team to start with this year, so it was just a matter of going for it.”

To make the event possible, she worked extra hours to cover the costs that come with long-distance racing, relying on the experienced support of Team Søberg, a local long-distance racing kennel, when she couldn’t be on the trail herself. But whenever she wasn’t working, she was out with her team of Alaskan huskies.

Discipline and dog-first racing

From the start in Alta, Julie focused on following her race plan. Pacing the team, managing rest, and staying sharp through long hours with little sleep for the musher are decisive factors in long-distance mushing.

Throughout the race, her priorities remained clear.

“The dogs always come first before performance.”

When temperatures rose during parts of the race, the young musher adjusted her strategy stopping more often to ensure the team stayed hydrated.

It paid off. The dogs delivered a strong run that even surprised her. Lead dog, Grinde held his position for most of the race, providing consistency and confidence over the long distances.

At the same time, Julie showed the level of decision-making needed in a race like this. At the checkpoint in Levajok, she had to make the decision to let one dog stay. Even though it might have continued with another hour of rest, it was a choice that helped secure her place on the podium.

The moment it became real

Eyes fixed on the trail ahead rather than the standings, Julie pushed toward Alta, focused on ahead of the competitors closing in behind.

With only 300 meters to the finish, as her team passed the Northern Lights Cathedral in Alta, a defining landmark of the race, did it truly sink in - a moment she will remember for a long time.

“I became so emotional and proud of what we had achieved.”

The experience has only strengthened her motivation for the future.

“The race has taught me that you really can achieve anything you want, as long as you work hard for it.”

Completing Finnmarksløpet 600 has left Julie Olsen hungry for more. Longer races, larger teams, and new challenges now lie ahead.

Looking back, one lesson stands above the rest:

“Remember to enjoy the journey.”

Because, as she discovered, it goes by faster than expected.

Non-stop dogwear ambassadors at Finnmarksløpet 2026

This year’s race once again brought together experienced mushers and emerging talent within the Non-stop dogwear team.

Among the standout performances, Harald Tunheim reached the Finnmarksløpet 1200 podium for the 11th time, reinforcing a legacy built over decades on the trail. In the same class, Elisabeth Kristensen became the youngest musher ever to complete the Finnmarksløpet 1200, finishing 11th at just 18 years old. Ingvild Gabrielsen delivered a strong performance too, finishing 4th and marking an impressive debut at the 1200 km distance.

In the 600 km class, Elisabeth Edland returned to the podium for the 6th time, marking a strong comeback nearly ten years after her last Finnmarksløpet podium.

FL-1200 - 14-dog class

• 2nd - Harald Tunheim
• 4th - Ingvild Gabrielsen
• 11th - Elisabeth Kristensen

FL-600 - 8-dog class

• 2nd - Julie Olsen
• 3rd - Elisabeth Edland
• 36th - Ylva-Li Næss

Also competing:

• Brage Nilsen Jæger