SLED DOG RACE EVENT MARKS 25 YEARS
Source: Otago Daily Times (Extract)
Posted: June 6, 2022
The Sandy Point Scarper was a two-day sled dog racing event sanctioned by the New Zealand Federation of Sled Dog Sports (NZFSS).
This year to celebrate the the 25th anniversary of the races, the SSDSA held the New Zealand Sled Dog Championships.
The event featured both unsanctioned and sanctioned rigs.
Contenders who took part in the sanctioned rigs could compete for points in the national championship.
SSDSA publicity officer Karen Owen said about 70 mushers attended the event, which was fewer than they expected.
“Unfortunately, some could not make it due to Covid, but we have had some travel down from the North Island.”
Registrations came from throughout Southland, Dunedin, Christchurch, the West Coast and Manawatu Gorge.
The breeds of dogs which took part in the competitions included huskies, rizslas, Rottweilers and Labradors.
Trail bosses Daryn Chalmers and Russell Fowler said the mushers and their dogs competed on trails ranging from 3km to about 5km.
The trails started at the Mauritangi Scout Camp, near Oreti beach, and ran through Fosbender Park.
“Our trails are some of the best sled dog trails for dry land because these trails are more technically challenging trails,” Mr Fowler said.
The event went well and was family-oriented, Mr Chalmers said.
“It’s a minority sport so most of us know each other here,” he said.
In commemoration of the 25th anniversary, attendees walked the original trail map of 1997 at Petrie’s Track at noon, and a ceremonial cake was cut later in the day.
