Aviemore Turns Arctic This Winter

Aviemore Turns Arctic This Winter

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow – that’s the hope of the competitors at the 2007 Arden Grange Aviemore Sled Dog Rally on 20 and 21 January.

Mushers from throughout the UK will gather in the forests around Aviemore for the biggest event in the British husky calendar – and they’re hoping for plenty of the white stuff to make it a real arctic experience.  

With competitors ranging in age from just eight to over 60, there’s something for all the family to see at this great spectator event, which has grown from just a dozen teams in 1984, to more than 200 at this year’s race.

Organised by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain, sponsored by the dog food manufacturer Arden Grange and in conjunction with Forest Enterprise, the rally is run on tracks around Loch Morlich in the shadow of the Cairngorms.

The event is the biggest gathering of its kind in the UK for dogs, which were first bred to pull sleds in Arctic conditions hundreds of years ago.

The rally features teams of between two and eight dogs running at up to 20 miles an hour over a gruelling, four-mile track. Along with the Siberian Huskies, rally dogs include Alaskan Malamutes and Samoyeds.

One of the event organisers, Steve Taylor from Cheshire said: “If we have ideal conditions there will be plenty of snow for teams to pull their driver – called the musher – around the course on a sled. If not, the musher will use a three-wheeled rig that looks a bit like a tricycle without a seat.”

“Both dogs and musher have to be fit and many teams train all year round for this race.  The health and safety of the dogs is our top priority and temperature and humidity are closely monitored to make sure the conditions are right for the dogs and their owners to have maximum fun during the event.  We also have a vet on standby during the racing.   

“Sled dogs will arrive from as far as the Isle of Wight and Devon , 600 miles south, for what is considered one of the most challenging and prestigious of the British Siberian Husky Club’s series of rallies.

Great photo opportunities – You are invited to send a photographer to:

Sled Dog Rally site, Loch Morlich, Aviemore, on Thursday 18 January from 10.30am to 1pm for interviews with competitors and pictures of the teams and dogs.

The Arden Grange Aviemore Grand Sled Dog Procession by Torchlight.  50 teams and 200 dogs will stop the traffic at 5.50pm on 18 January as they parade through the centre of Aviemore to open the weekend’s festivities.  

The 2007 Arden Grange Sled Dog Rally on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 January from 9.30am each day.

Notes to Editors:

1.       The Event

The 2007 Arden Grange Aviemore Sled Dog Rally will be the 24th Aviemore rally; the first race took place in 1984 with just 12 teams. Last year over 220 adult and 25 junior mushers (ages 8-16 years) took part.

 There are seven adult classes:

A -        5-8 dogs

B -        4-6 dogs

C -        3-4 dogs (siberian Huskies only)

C2 -      3-4 dogs (mixed sled dogs)

D -        2 dogs  (siberian Huskies only)

D2 -      2 dogs (mixed sled dogs)

E          2-3 dogs

The main rally is held over the weekend of 20 and 21 January. Start times on the first day are by random draw but the Sunday's starts are on the basis of first-in, first-out – that is, the fastest time of Saturday in each class starts the Sunday heat. The team with the fastest time over the two days wins their class. The event starts at 9.30 am each day and viewing is free for the general public. Teams run at either two-minute intervals (A and B Class) or one-minute intervals for the remainder (C,D,E). This creates a very fast moving event. Starts for the A and B teams are very exciting and so are the finishes for the C, D, E classes with up to seven teams in view at the finish.

The race is open to five pedigree-registered Sled Dog breeds: Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, Greenland Huskies and Canadian Eskimo Dogs. Many of the dogs running at the Rally will also be competing at Crufts Dog Show in March.

Competitors come from all walks of life, including nurses, policeman, executives, company directors, aircraft engineers, vehicle technicians, secretaries, sales assistants to name but a few.

2.      The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain

This was set up in 1977 to promote the interests of the Siberian Husky as a pedigree breed. It provides information, help and advice to all those interested in the Siberian Husky, whether they are owners or not. The Club holds Open and Championship shows each year and working rallies take place throughout the winter months. The health and welfare of the Siberian Husky is particularly important and the Club runs a national welfare scheme for unwanted Siberian Huskies. The scheme is funded entirely by voluntary donation. Further information on both the Club and Siberian Husky can be found on the web site: www.siberianhuskyclub.com .

For further information or photos contact

the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain : 

Judy Wakker on 01786 822583 or 07766 915633

Date:13 Jan 2007, Author: Judy Wakker