Raid Ukatak

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Finnish Favourites Fail to Start

Rob / 16.01.2003

Having won the Raid Ukatak title in 2001 and 2002, Finnish team \'Osuuspankki\' were pre-race favourites, but they are not going to start after a series of accidents to several key team members.

As Team Finland and then ‘Lapin Kulta’ they dominated the first two races and were comfortable winners, but a serious neck injury to Iiro Kakko sustained recently in training was the final straw.

First Taija Lyyski injured her ankle racing at the Mild Seven Outdoor Quest in Borneo. The 24 year old teacher is a national cross-country skier who was also on last year’s winning team, but the team managed to find a replacement. However, another regular team member is also on the injured list. Pasi Ikkonen, who was on the winning team of last year’s Red Bull Northern Exposure, and is one of the World’s most experienced and successful racers, is said to have “broken 2 ribs fighting with a pro-boxer hired for his bachelor party’! (He married British racer Anna McCormack.)

Even so the team still planned to travel, but then a week before the race Iiro badly aggravated an old injury, possibly breaking his neck. He is reported to be ‘walking and talking’ but it sounds like a nasty injury and he has had to go into hospital for surgery.

He is a good friend of race organisers Martin Nieto and Natalie Pelland and they raced together at Adrenalin Rush 2001 in Scotland, finishing second as Team Ukatak in a hard fought contest behind Team 9feet.com. The Finns can carry their free entry as 2002 winners over to next year, so let’s hope they are back then with the team in full health.

With the favourites out the race is now wide open. The very experienced Swedish team ‘High Coast 600’ will ensure there is still a strong Scandinavian challenge, but they are new to the race and the Polish and Quebec teams may have an advantage.See All Event Posts