Rovaniemi hosts Porocup starter on Feb 25, 26

The first round of this year’s reindeer race, Porocup, will take place on February 25-26 in the Mäntyvaara ground, about eight kilometres off downtown Rovaniemi.

About 200 reindeer from across the country are expected to take part in the race organised by Lions Club Ounasvaara in cooperation with Reindeer Herders’ Association.

The Porocup championship comprises five preliminary rounds and the finale. The rounds after Mäntyvaara will be held at Taivalkoski on March 3-5, at Äkäslompolo on March 11-12, at Luosto on March 17-19, at Ranua on March 25-26, and the final in Inari on April 1-2, said the organisers.

The race in Mäntyvaara will start at 10:45 AM on February 25 in a horse racecourse. “We have taken all-out preparations to make it a success,” said Reindeer Herders’ Association Office Secretary Sirpa Valkama, while Anna-Leena Jänkälä, an adviser to the association, said as in the previous years a large number of visitors are expected to gather to watch the starter.

The Porocup championship, held 15 times so far in Rovaniemi, has more than 50 years of history, upholding the spirit of Lappish people.

This is not only a race, another organiser said, but also a representation of the Lappish culture and people of all ages do enjoy it.

The Porocup series is one of the world’s very rare reindeer races and has been highly popular in the Arctic throughout its history.

The course is round and one kilometre long. The cup goes to the reindeer which gets the highest cup-points in the five preliminary races and the finale. Only the top 24 reindeer with the highest scores are able to compete in the final round.

The ticket to the race has been priced five euros for an adult while the entry is free for children under 16.