We Welcome You to the WCh in Sled Dog Racing 2011

TheNorwegian Sled Dog Association has been allocated the WCh in Sled Dog Racing in 2011 and trial-WCh in 2010. About 500 participants and 3,000 dogs from about 25 countries are expected to the WCh.

Three historic and famous arenas; Holmenkollen/Oslo, Hamar and Røros, will provide the championship with the festive setting it deserves during the trial WCh in 2010 and the 'real' WCh in 2011.

About Sled Dog Racing

Sled dog racing is a nervewrecking and exciting sport that challenges both human athletes and their dogs. Sled dog racing is suitable for different kinds of dogs as well as for people who appreciate outdoor activities in close cooperation with animals. There are numerous opportunities to compete in several diciplines for those who wish to do so.

Sled dog racing creates an active and including fellowship. More than 50 local sled dog associations have joined the Norwegian Sled Dog Association and they run recruitment programs for both children, youth and adults. Whether one wishes to compete or prefers a non-competitive life style with outdoor activities, these associations will have something to offer.

Nordic Style
In Nordic Style the athlete skis behind the dog, which is pulling a pulka either [innspent i drag eller bare med en strikk]. There are competitions for both diciplines. Traditionally the pulka dicipline has had a very strong standing in Norway. The distances raced in Nordic Style are from 5 to 30 km, and the classes are 1-dog and multiple dog teams.

Sled Dog Style
In Sled Dog Style the athlete stands behind a sled that is pulled by dogs. The dog teams can consist of everything from 4 to 16 dogs. There are races in various distances from Sprint and Mid-Distance to Long Distance. This is an equal opportunities' competition where men and women compete in the same class.

Røros – Long Distance Sled, 3rd – 11th of February 2011
The first World Championship ever in Long Distance Sled Dog Racing will take place in Røros in February 2011. The organisers behind the Femund Race, the world's largest race of this kind, will facilitate the World Championship race. The Femund Race has long experience in arranging long distance sled dog races and sees about 150 mushers at the starting line every year. In front of their sleds they have about 1,500 eager and fit dogs. The sled dog sport attains an increasing amount of interest from the media as well as the public, and this race has become one of the important showcases for sled dog sports in Norway. The Femund Race is by far the largest and most exotic sport event in the Røros region and the Nord-Østerdalen valley. Some of the world's greatest and most experiences mushers line up here - year after year.

Hamar – Mid-Distance Sled, 17th – 20th of March 2011
Hamar Sled Dog Racing Arena in Gåsbu lies a short drive from Hamar city centre. The arena is the only one of its kind in Norway and offers great and exciting experiences for both the participants and the public.

Holmenkollen/Oslo – Sled, Sprint and Nordic Style, 24th – 27th of March 2011.
The racing classes Nordic and Sprint offer speed and excitement from the beginning to the very end! Seeing teams of fit dogs and contestants on the starting line means nothing but top class entertainment and fair sport spirits! Many of these competitions have Pursuit and Mass Starts, meaning that there will be excitement from the first split second of the competition to the last minute of the race.

Press Program
There will be press packs available for each of the arenas (Holmenkollen/Oslo, Hamar and Røros).

Press Centre
The Press Centre will be centrally located at each arena. More information will be provided at a later stage. In Holmenkollen/Oslo there will be facilities that allow the medias to work from the Press Centre.

Accreditation
If you wish to follow the WCh as a member of the press we ask that you get in touch with the Press Committee early. Should you have any queries please contact the Press Manager:

Contact persons for press and media:

Røros (Long Distance Sled): Lillian Holden phone: + 47 66 44 66 or email: lillian.holden@vg.no

Hamar (Mid-Distance Sled and Sled Sprint ): Wenche Helseth phone: + 47 95 08 25 42 or email: wenche.helseth@norsvin.no

Holmenkollen (Nordic style): Ketil Fossnes phone: + 47 41 60 19 60 or email: sport@sledog2011no