2012 Arden Grange & Siberian Husky Club of GB Aviemore Sled Dog Rally

1000 Sled Dogs head north for the Big Freeze!

Great photo opportunities

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow - that's the hope of the competitors at the 2012 Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain and Arden Grange Aviemore Sled Dog Rally.

This year's event takes place on 21 and 22 January 2012 and over 1000 sled dogs will be 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 everyone to see at this great family event, which attracts over 3000 spectators annually.

Organised by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain, sponsored by the dog food manufacturer Arden Grange and in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland, the rally is run on forest trails around the beautiful Loch Morlich in the shadow of the Cairngorms.

Event organiser, Sarah Robinson explains: "The rally features teams of between two and eight sled dogs pulling sleds at up to 20 miles an hour over a challenging, four mile track. Taking part will be Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and Canadian Eskimo Dogs."

Jack Mackay, for Forestry Commission Scotland's Inverness Ross & Skye team said; "We're pleased to once again host this event, which is proving to be more and more popular. It's a great draw for the area and hundreds of people come here to take part - and to watch - this amazing spectacle. Here's hoping that the 2012 event proves to be another great success!"

Just a dozen teams ran in the first rally in 1984. With over 200 teams competing this year, the event is now one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the world, bringing very welcome income to the tourist industry, shops and restaurants of Aviemore.

Jonathan Gatenby, an Aviemore Business Association spokesman said "The businesses and the local community of Aviemore are very pleased to welcome back the Siberian Husky Club of GB back for their 29th visit to Aviemore and the Cairngorms. The event is always a great spectacle set in the Cairngorms National Park with the wonderful Glenmore Forest as a backdrop. We all look forward to the sound of the Huskies across the Glens."

Sarah Robinson adds more about the race: "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 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 all over the UK, for what is considered one of the most challenging and prestigious of the Siberian Husky Club's series of rallies. Many of the dogs running at the Rally will also be competing at the Kennel Club's Crufts Dog Show in March."

Notes to Editors:

1.       The Event

The 2012 Arden Grange Aviemore Sled Dog Rally will be the 29th Aviemore rally.

There are eight adult classes and two children's classes. 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 often several teams in view at the finish. Competitors come from all walks of life and from all over the UK and Northern Ireland.

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, interviews and photos contact

The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain : 

Judy Wakker on 07765 886236

Date:28 Nov 2011, Author: Judy Wakker