Turns out they might not be able to fly after all. Reindeer, that is. If they could, Rally Sweden would still have its full complement of Saturday stages.
But because they can’t – and a herd north-west of Umeå has decided to get on the move – round two has lost its 25 competitive miles and two stages.
Seriously, the movement of reindeer herds on farms in the stages has forced the cancellation of the Örträsk test (SS9/13) on day two.
And guess what’s got the reindeer on the mov: it’s the snow. Significant snowfall in the region has forced the farmers to move reindeer from exposed areas.
Rally Sweden CEO Glenn Olsson said: “Unfortunately, due to unexpected reindeer movements caused by the current weather, farmers have come back to us to say that access is no longer available.
“While a range of solutions have been offered and considered by both parties, unfortunately we have been unable to find a solution to allow the stage to take place. It’s a late decision but [one] that reflects the determined efforts from everyone involved to avoid this situation.”
Moving the rally 450 miles north from Värmland to the Västerbotten region hasn’t been the most straightforward of processes for Olsson and his team, with local land owners taking time to warm to the idea of the WRC landing on their doorstep for the first time.
Olsson added: “Moving a WRC event to a new location is a difficult and complicated logistical, planning and community consultation process.
“This move reflects a clear acknowledgement of the organizers and the WRC community that there are environmental factors that can affect our access to countryside areas. It’s a fact we must, and do, respect.
“Huge amounts of community work have taken place over a long period to deliver a successful rally for competitors and fans but unfortunately in this case, we accept the roads in this area are not accessible for 2022.”
DirtFish says
You couldn’t make this up, could you? After years of hoping and praying for a deep freeze and even deeper snowbanks, the Swede’s prayers are answered.
Snow has fallen, is falling and will fall. And the mercury’s doing the decent thing by staying resolutely in the minus figures. Finally, the weather gods are smiling on the WRC’s winter rally – just in time for the furry mammals to decide otherwise.
I can completely understand Olsson’s perspective. As a rally organizer, he’s 100% at the mercy of the owners of the land across which his route will pass. One word from them and the deal’s off.
And that’s what’s happened here.
You just have to take your hat off to the Rally Sweden team. They have worked night and day to get this itinerary ready and to get news like this at this late stage is as tough to take as it is impossible to avoid.
Sorry Glenn, but no doubt the remaining 17 stages will make up for it.
