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Reindeer Racing<\/h1>\n
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By Jenny McGlone<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Way, way far north, in lands that seem almost too cold for human settlement, a brave few thousand people have made their home.\u00a0Inari,\u00a0Finland<\/strong>, is the country\u2019s largest municipality, covering 6,693 square miles, of which 881 is water. Despite its large geographical size, its population density is modest, as Inari claims only 1.2 inhabitants per square mile.<\/p>\n While Inari may not be extravagantly endowed with people, its population carries a rich culture. For example, four official languages are spoken there, three of which came from the Indigenous S\u00e1mi people. The S\u00e1mi have passed along many important traditions.<\/p>\n S\u00e1mi Traditions<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n For at least 5,000 years, the S\u00e1mi people have made a living from herding reindeer. In fact, reindeer herding is such an integral part of their culture that some other Scandinavian countries have protected it by law. In Finland, there are 51 reindeer herding cooperatives, many of which take part annually in a reindeer racing championship.<\/p>\n This race occurs in the spring, usually March through April, when Inari is beginning to become the land of the midnight sun. As the hours of sunlight lengthen, skiers and their reindeer match up against each other for the coveted trophies.<\/p>\n Racing the Reindeer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The most common form of this contest places one skier behind one reindeer. These reindeer are usually males selected the previous autumn for their speed potential and competitiveness. The reindeer are trained to run in a harness trailing a rope. The jockey holds onto the rope and tries not to fall. The fastest reindeer can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. Covering a kilometer in under two minutes is easy for these animal athletes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While some reindeer races take place on snow-covered city streets, the culmination of the racing season occurs on the frozen Lake Inari. This body of water is the third largest lake in Finland and covers 400 square miles. It is usually frozen from November through early June.<\/p>\n In April every year, dozens of reindeer and their professional jockeys gather in the subzero temperatures for a competition that feels also like a festival. The racing is taken very seriously, as the reindeer have their antlers removed and the jockeys wear aerodynamic suits.<\/p>\n The spectators can number in the hundreds, all trying their best to stay warm while cheering on their favorite animals and jockeys. They pay close attention to the weather, and if dark clouds appear, they can be heard to say to one another, “It looks like rain, dear.\u201d<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/GMS-reindeer1.jpg” alt=”stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”GMS-reindeer1″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/GMS-featured-image.png” alt=”Stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”GMS featured image” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Slideshows” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Are you a math teacher who’s interested in telling this story to your students? Here are two slideshows to get you started.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activities:<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Questions” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/reindeer-racing2-1.jpeg\")
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