Around 1,000 spectators flocked to the Salla Reindeer Cup in Finland this past weekend to watch traditional reindeer racing, despite subfreezing temperatures at the remote location near the Russian border
Traditional reindeer racing that’s been captivating audiences for decades in Finland drew hundreds of enthusiasts to the Salla Reindeer Cup in the town of Salla this past weekend . . . just days before the iconic Cheltenham races hit the UK.
Approximately 1,000 people flocked to the event, despite bitter sub-zero conditions and the isolated location near the Russian border, roughly 264 kilometres (164 miles) northeast of the city of Oulu.
They observed and applauded as the reindeer thundered across the snow-blanketed course, dragging their handlers behind them on skis. Whichever is swiftest claims victory in the race.
Onlookers travelled not only from Finland but also Italy, Norway, Germany and France, amongst other nations.
Reindeer herding has been a vital element of Scandinavian heritage for numerous decades, particularly for the Sami Indigenous people in the country’s far north.
“Salla has a long history in reindeer racing – it’s been going on here since the 1950s,” said Lasse Aatsinki, the head of Salla Reindeer Cup. “Back then, men spent winters in the forest, there were no snowmobiles. In late winter, the reindeer were in great shape, so they started racing them.”
Nowadays, reindeer racing is an organised and regulated contest featuring trained male reindeer.
The premier event was the so-called hot series, in which reindeer qualify if they complete the kilometre-long (just over a half-mile) track in 1 minute, 19 seconds, or less. Only the swiftest reindeer get to participate in this race.
“It’s a science. A lot depends on the reindeer’s character – it has to tolerate a lot: the audience, other reindeer, noise, movement,” Aatsinki said. “Everyone has their tricks – and they’re usually kept under the fur hat. Every owner has their own way.”
Throughout the race, spectators encouraged their favourites with shouts of “hyvä, hyvä” and “mene, mene” – which translates from Finnish as “good, good” and “go, go” – whilst the reindeer dashed down the final stretch.
Between races, people stayed warm with reindeer soup and kampanisu, a traditional local pastry delicacy from Salla.
The contest reached its climax on Sunday with the final rounds and it was a reindeer called Pompom which claimed victory in the ultimate race.
“Pompom is exceptionally fast and smart, and you rarely find one like that,” said Hannu Krupula, the winning animal’s owner.
“If there’s any weakness, it’s that it’s not very good-looking – which can be misleading,” he added.
“When you look at that reindeer, you might quickly think it’s poorly fed or something. But it eats well. It’s a rare individual.”
Following the race, Pompom and all the other reindeer received their own treat – lichen, a symbiotic, colourful organism that grows on trees or rocks, and is the animals’ favourite delicacy.
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