Champion Musher Dallas Seavey Sets Sights on Competing in Top Trifecta of Sled Dog Racing with Entry into Norway's Finnmarksløpet

Seavey prepares to tackle new terrain at one of the top sled dog races in the world

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Nov 30, 2017, 11:45 ET

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dallas Seavey has officially registered to compete in Norway's esteemed Finnmarksløpet long distance sled dog race. The race will kick off in March and bring together over 130 mushers and 1,000 sled dogs from around the world.

Seavey has always wanted to compete in Finnmarksløpet. Seavey won the Iditarod in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and the Yukon Quest in 2011. Competing in Finnmarksløpet makes it possible for Seavey to potentially become the first person to win an Iditarod, Yukon Quest, and Finnmarksløpet.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to take on a new race, terrain, challenge, and high level competitors," said Seavey. "While far from my home in Alaska, I look forward to learning from the European mushing community and expanding my racing experience."

With significant victories under his belt in North America, this will be Seavey's first race in Europe. The Iditarod and Finnmarksløpet take place during the same time every year, and as a result Seavey has always had to choose to compete in only one of these races each year.

"The Iditarod is the race where I have achieved many mile markers in my career. My fans, my sponsors, and the Alaskan mushing community are very important to me," Seavey added. "Participating in Finnmarksløpet is a fantastic opportunity, personal goal, and new undertaking that I am looking forward to sharing with my fans and supporters. We are going to have fun competing in this challenging race."

Seavey decided to not participate in the 2018 Iditarod due to the Iditarod Trail Committee's recent handling of allegations that four of his dogs showed signs of Tramadol. Seavey is continuing to fully investigate all circumstances surrounding those allegations. The Iditarod Trail Committee did not place sanctions on Seavey and has expressed hopes that he will continue to compete in the Iditarod.

Finnmarksløpet began in 1981. An Alaskan musher has never won the Finnmarksløpet.