An Introduction to Racing

Short disclaimer: I’m definitely not an expert, but I’ve become quite fascinated by the racing side of sledding. Here are my findings/thoughts.

Tourism and racing are the two avenues for sled dogs. I think it’s quite rare to have a pure racing kennel without tourism, since racing is an expensive endeavour (transport to the race, accommodation at the race, registration fees, paying the transport and accommodation for your handler, and typical dog costs e.g. food, race booties etc). Most racers participate in tourism during the winter to help fund their racing career. Even Petter Karlsson, who is one of the top mushers in Europe, hosts guests for tours during the winter.

Photo from the Iditarod website

Unlike sprint racing, long-distance races cover hundreds of kilometres though remote terrain. The musher must balance speed with stamina, incorporating dog care, navigation, extreme weather conditions, and mandatory rest periods.

Races in Europe:

• Amundsen Mid Scandinavian Sled Dog Race - Starting in Strömsund, Sweden, named after explorer Roald Amundsen. The Amundsen Race has a 356km class, a 262km class, and a 179km class.

• Beaver Trap Trail - Swedish race from Norråker – Saxvattnet – Borgafjäll. classes include 170km, 250km (max 8 dogs) and 350km (max 12 dogs).

• Bergebyløpet N70 - Held in Finnmark, Norway, classes include: 350km (16 dogs), 240km (8 dogs), and 110km (8 dogs). It’s the world’s northernmost long distance sled dog race, taking place exclusively above the 70th parallel north.

• Beskades 300 - Organised by Alta Trekkhundklubb in Norway. The race takes place between Alta and Kautokeino. There are 2 main classes: 230km and 300km.

• Femundløpet - 400km (8 dogs) and 600km (12 dogs) category race with start and finish in Røros, Norway.

• Finnmarksløpet - A 600km (8 dogs) and 1200km (14 dogs) competition starting in Alta, Norway is the longest race in Europe. The 600km class is the longest race in Europe with 8 dogs.

• Gold Rush Run 501 - A ~500km race based in Tankavaara in Finland, allowing 16 dogs.

• La Grande Odyssée - Annual stage race of 400km, with 10,000m elevation that occurs in the French Alps.

• Lapland Quest - A 250km race between Kolari and Pello in Finland.

• Pasvik Trail - Annual 250km race starting in Svanhovd, Norway, and running next to the Russian border.

• Šediváčkův long AKA “Czech Long Trail” - A 200km or 300km race that takes place in the last week of January in the Orlické Mountains. Regarded as one of Europe’s toughest races, teams ascend a total elevation of more than 7,500m throughout the event.

• Tobacco Trail - Based in Lannavaara, Sweden. There are two classes including 150km race for 8 dogs, and 300km race for 10 dogs.

• Troms Quest - A race of ~150km organised by the Tromsø and surrounding sled dog club. The race takes place from stables in Rostadalen, Målselv municipality in Troms. There is an 8-dog class, and a 12-dog class.

• Ukkohalla-Paljakka Ajot - Mid-distance race with multiple classes and bikejoring in Paljakka, Finland

Photo from the Iditarod website

Finnmarksløpet is probably the race I hear people talk about most often in Scandinanvia - it’s basically the European equivalent of the Iditarod. Stefan has recommended another great website ‘Live Tracking’, which is like the central hub for European races (shoutout Stefan)! Every year, there is a sled dog symposium which alternates between Rovaniemi and Kiruna. This October, it will be in Kiruna with recent Iditarod winner Jessie Holmes presenting. I would really love to attend, so fingers crossed it will be possible!

There are a few interesting documentaries about races, but my recommendation is an 8-episode YouTube series called ‘Mushers: Conquering the Yukon Quest’. It follows the 2015 Yukon Quest race in Canada/Alaska, with big names Jeff King, Hugh Neff, Allan Moore, Brent Sass and more.