The missing mushers were sledging in the mountains while taking part in the Fermund Race, an annual long-distance sled dog race. The official website of the race states that the lap “starts and ends in the colorful streets of the UNESCO World Heritage mining town of Røros”.
A total of three rescue operations took place between Saturday night and Sunday morning in the district of Røros. A rescue party equipped with snowmobiles and track-laying vehicles found four young boys who had gotten lost in the mountains to the south of the city before dawn. By 10:00, the rescuers have found the other missing junior racers – two 15-year old girls. They had spent a whole day in the mountains and are reported to have suffered from chilblains, a condition similar to frostbite but not as severe. A local ambulance paramedic stated that now the girls’ condition is satisfactory.
Local police have informed the media that the rescue team also managed to find three adults who had also gotten lost in the mountains along the way. All three of them have been transferred to a local motel.
It is reported that the Femund Race has been cancelled due to the ordeal; according to the event’s website, “Due to the situations in the mountains the race organizers have decided on cancelling the event to concentrate on getting the missing racers safely home”, adding “To cancel a sled dog race is not an easy decision, but we now ask everyone to understand the decision and concentrate on getting everyone back in good shape.”
