Husky News

The 2008 Arden Grange & Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Sled Dog Rally on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 January from 9.30am each day.

The 2008 Arden Grange Aviemore Sled Dog Rally will be the 25th Aviemore rally; the first race took place in 1984 with just 12 teams. This year over 250 adult and 25 junior mushers (ages 8-16 years) will take 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 19 and 20 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.

Source: Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain