From somewhere everything sets forth...

Also at the 60's and 70's  there were sled makers in Finland. lthought sleds structures were made too heavy. Arktic dog sleds were built lighter and better passable. Also sleds appearance was given extra consideration.

At that time there were professional sled makers in Norway, like Fossum, which is rarely seen today. Fossum built sleds also for example to polar explorers. At least Mauri Siren buit selds professionally in Finland. Arktic's racing sleds were exported at its widest to Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany. Time period changed, when german-austrian companies Danler and Bewe begun to build so called hi-tech sleds in the beginning  the 90's. The export of the Arktic dog sleds drew almost completely, when those central-European companies conquered racing sled markets in Europe and USA.

It is hard to compete with bigger competitors also in sled markets. Purchasing of the special material is difficult because of the small amounts. Arktic dog sleds were in any case the first of their kinds, where introduced modern runner technique. It meant that fully woody runners were strengthened with glass- or carbonfiber. It is same technique than in ordinary skis. Also the runner base material is the same, only thicker.

Sled maker and competitor

Manufacturing of Arktic sleds has been professional all the time. Amount of the work has brought variation. Sometimes it has been secondary occupation, sometimes the main occupation, according to circumstances. Risto has competed in Finland, Sweden and Norway with his self-manufactured dog sleds.

Below are some of his achievements during the years with his self-made sled in competitions.

First dog 1973 Nordic Marathon 1. place -79 with Henrik Taube Nordic Marathon 1. place -80 with Henrik Taube Nordkalott Cup 1. place -83 Botnia Trail 1. place -86 Finnish Championships 1. place -90 Helvetinkolu 1. place -91