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Kamchadal International Sled Dog Race: Mushing And Dogsled Teams
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Published: June 28, 2007
Everyone knows the maxim that a dog is man's best friend and perhaps no one knows this truth better than mushers. The musher cries "mush" to the team and off the sled speeds out across the frozen landscape. Whether mushing to deliver supplies or mail to rural customers isolated by the winter freeze or mushing in a competition to win a trophy, the dogsled team is relied on to complete their route regardless of the weather.
There are many famous dogsled team races in the world. One of the most unique is the Kamchadal International sled dog race . Held each March since 2004, the Kamchadal International sled dog race takes place on the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Siberia, Russia. The Kamchadal International sled dog race is part of the International Federation of Sled Dog Sports, Inc., (IFSS) races. This worldwide federation operates world championship races and a World Cup system in three divisions and five disciplines for men, women, and juniors.
The Kamchadal International sled dog race is a 300km race (a little more than 186 miles) that is run by six or eight dog teams. A dogsled team is connected by a line called a gang. Each dog is fitted with a harness and the harness is connected to the gangline. To win the Kamchadal International sled dog race, the dogs must be placed in position within the team according to their strengths and disposition. This allows the group of dogs to function efficiently together.
All dogsled teams in the Kamchadal International sled dog race will be organized in a similar way. Dogsled teams are composed of six to eight dogs, which are spit up into pairs. The two dogs in front of the team find the trail and set the pace, and are called Lead Dogs. The second two dogs are called Swing Dogs because they help lead the team around turns. The third pair of dogs are called Team Dogs and they add power to the team, however, they are not used in a six dog team. The final pair of dogs are called Wheel Dogs and are located directly in front of the sled.
The Kamchadal International sled dog race is held in five heats over a three day period and provide unique opportunities for international mushing teams to compete against native sled dog teams. Another unique aspect the Kamchadal International sled dog race is that local teams display equipment made using traditional materials and techniques.
The Kamchadal International sled dog race can be difficult to get to between working through transportation issues and veterinary restrictions of bringing a dogsled team to Russia. But the hurdles are worth the effort to take part in this special sled dog race. The Kamchadal International sled dog race offers exceptional opportunities to learn about Russian sled dog history, witness spectacular geography, and a participate way of life that has ceased to exist in most parts of the world today.
Sources:
Kamchadal International Sled Dog Race, March 25-28, 2004. Chuguak Dog Mushers. 15 Oct. 2003. 20 June 20, 2007. http://www.chugiakdogmushers.com/Kamchadal.htm
IFSS Accreditation and World Cup. IFSS. 2007. 20 June 2007.
http://sleddogsport.com/index.php?option=com_con tent&task=view&id=19&Itemid=32
White, Tim. “Kamchadal Race.” IFSS. 13 Jan. 2006. 20 June 2007.
http://sleddogsport.com/index.php?option=com_con tent&task=view&id=27&Itemid=2
Kamchadal International World Cup Sled Dog Race. Dog-Sled.com. 2005. 20 June 2007.
http://www.dog-sled.com/Kamchadal/index.html
“Mushing.” Wikipedia. 5 June 2007. 20 June 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushing
There are many famous dogsled team races in the world. One of the most unique is the Kamchadal International sled dog race . Held each March since 2004, the Kamchadal International sled dog race takes place on the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Siberia, Russia. The Kamchadal International sled dog race is part of the International Federation of Sled Dog Sports, Inc., (IFSS) races. This worldwide federation operates world championship races and a World Cup system in three divisions and five disciplines for men, women, and juniors.
The Kamchadal International sled dog race is a 300km race (a little more than 186 miles) that is run by six or eight dog teams. A dogsled team is connected by a line called a gang. Each dog is fitted with a harness and the harness is connected to the gangline. To win the Kamchadal International sled dog race, the dogs must be placed in position within the team according to their strengths and disposition. This allows the group of dogs to function efficiently together.
All dogsled teams in the Kamchadal International sled dog race will be organized in a similar way. Dogsled teams are composed of six to eight dogs, which are spit up into pairs. The two dogs in front of the team find the trail and set the pace, and are called Lead Dogs. The second two dogs are called Swing Dogs because they help lead the team around turns. The third pair of dogs are called Team Dogs and they add power to the team, however, they are not used in a six dog team. The final pair of dogs are called Wheel Dogs and are located directly in front of the sled.
The Kamchadal International sled dog race is held in five heats over a three day period and provide unique opportunities for international mushing teams to compete against native sled dog teams. Another unique aspect the Kamchadal International sled dog race is that local teams display equipment made using traditional materials and techniques.
The Kamchadal International sled dog race can be difficult to get to between working through transportation issues and veterinary restrictions of bringing a dogsled team to Russia. But the hurdles are worth the effort to take part in this special sled dog race. The Kamchadal International sled dog race offers exceptional opportunities to learn about Russian sled dog history, witness spectacular geography, and a participate way of life that has ceased to exist in most parts of the world today.
Sources:
Kamchadal International Sled Dog Race, March 25-28, 2004. Chuguak Dog Mushers. 15 Oct. 2003. 20 June 20, 2007. http://www.chugiakdogmushers.com/Kamchadal.htm
IFSS Accreditation and World Cup. IFSS. 2007. 20 June 2007.
http://sleddogsport.com/index.php?option=com_con tent&task=view&id=19&Itemid=32
White, Tim. “Kamchadal Race.” IFSS. 13 Jan. 2006. 20 June 2007.
http://sleddogsport.com/index.php?option=com_con tent&task=view&id=27&Itemid=2
Kamchadal International World Cup Sled Dog Race. Dog-Sled.com. 2005. 20 June 2007.
http://www.dog-sled.com/Kamchadal/index.html
“Mushing.” Wikipedia. 5 June 2007. 20 June 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushing
