Crowds courageous sub-zero temperatures to look at reindeer racing close to Russian border | EUROtoday

On Mar 10, 2026

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Hundreds of spectators braved sub-zero temperatures within the distant Finnish city of Salla this previous weekend to witness the Salla Reindeer Cup, a standard racing occasion that has thrilled audiences for many years.

Approximately 1,000 spectators gathered for the competitors, held within the frigid circumstances of Salla, a city located close to the Russian border, some 264 kilometres (164 miles) northeast of Oulu.

Cheers erupted as reindeer galloped throughout the snow-covered observe, every pulling a handler on skis in an exciting sprint for victory.

The occasion drew a world crowd, with attendees travelling from Finland, Italy, Norway, Germany, and France, amongst different nations.

Reindeer husbandry holds important cultural significance throughout Scandinavia, significantly for the Indigenous Sami individuals within the far north, a practice spanning many a long time.

“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.”

Around 1,000 people attended the Salla Reindeer Cup, despite frigid subfreezing temperatures and the remote location near the Russian border, roughly 264 kilometers (164 miles) northeast of the city of Oulu — Around 1,000 individuals attended the Salla Reindeer Cup, regardless of frigid subfreezing temperatures and the distant location close to the Russian border, roughly 264 kilometers (164 miles) northeast of the town of Oulu (Associated Press)

These days, reindeer racing is an organised and controlled competitors with educated male reindeer.

The premiere occasion was the so-called sizzling collection, through which reindeer qualify in the event that they race the kilometer-long (simply over a half-mile) observe in 1 minute, 19 seconds, or much less. Only the quickest reindeer get to compete on 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.”

During the race, crowds cheered their favorites on with calls of “hyvä, hyvä” and “mene, mene” — which is Finnish for “good, good” and “go, go” — because the reindeer sprinted down the ultimate stretch.

In between races, individuals stored heat with reindeer soup and kampanisu, a standard native pastry specialty from Salla.

The premiere event was the so-called hot series, in which reindeer qualify if they race the kilometer-long (just over a half-mile) track in 1 minute, 19 seconds, or less — The premiere occasion was the so-called sizzling collection, through which reindeer qualify in the event that they race the kilometer-long (simply over a half-mile) observe in 1 minute, 19 seconds, or much less (Associated Press)

The competitors culminated Sunday with the ultimate rounds and it was reindeer named Pompom which gained 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 take a look at that reindeer, you would possibly rapidly assume it’s poorly fed or one thing. But it eats nicely. It’s a uncommon particular person.”

During the race, crowds cheered their favorites on with calls of ‘hyvä, hyvä’ and ‘mene, mene’ — which is Finnish for ‘good, good’ and ‘go, go’ — as the reindeer sprinted down the final stretch — During the race, crowds cheered their favorites on with calls of ‘hyvä, hyvä’ and ‘mene, mene’ — which is Finnish for ‘good, good’ and ‘go, go’ — because the reindeer sprinted down the ultimate stretch (Associated Press)

And thus after the race, Pompom and all the opposite reindeer bought their very own reward — lichen, their favourite deal with.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/salla-reindeer-cup-keselmajarvi-finland-b2935265.html