We have an “Action Contract” to “Move Forward” at great speed and they all run on “Green Power”. Canberra Classic International Sled Dog Race is the ‘other’ big event on this weekend.
The 2010 Canberra Classic runs this weekend, 21-22 August 2010, and takes on a whole new guise having been endorsed by the International Federation of Sled Sports (IFSS) as a World Cup event. The Canberra Classic is the premier race on the Australian sled dog racing calendar, held each year under the auspice of the Canberra Sled Dog Club (CSDC).
“This is a major step for sled dog racing in Australia” said Andrew Gersbach, President of the Australian Sled Sports Association (ASSA), “given that the majority of IFSS racing is snow based and over vast distances.”
“To have the Canberra Classic recognised as a world cup event is terrific. We have little access to snow so all our races are run on dirt tracks on wheeled scooters and rigs”, Andrew said.
“By comparison to northern hemisphere races ours are short sprints but it is all we have to work with in Australia and as usual, we are innovative”, he said.
The Canberra Classic is held over two days at Kowen Forest near Queanbeyan and attracts entrants from all over Australia. Participating in this event earns the mushers (team drivers) points and an international ranking.
This year the 4-dog, 3-dog, 2 and 1-dog teams’ heats will start racing at 7am on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, followed by the Junior mushers, Touring and Veteran dog classes and the Peewee race for youngsters.
The showcase event will be a double heat for the 6 and 8-dog teams on Saturday night.
“It is a very spectacular start as these big teams will race off into the forest under lights covering a distance of 10 kilometres. At the midway point they have a mandatory layover rest period of 3 hours and then do the 10 km track in reverse finishing where they started about 4-5 hours later”, Andrew Gersbach said.
CSDC has confirmed the Race Marshal for this year’s race is North American Terry Hinesly. This is Hinesly’s second trip to Canberra to marshal this event in 5 years.
During his 26 years running sled dogs, Terry Hinesly ran some sprint races, mid-distance races, distance races and many dune runs. But his biggest feat was finishing the Iditarod in 1990.
He has enjoyed working races since retiring from the sport. His past experience includes being a judge in the Iditarod for 6 years, the John Beargrease in Minnesota and presently working the Eagle Cap Extreme Dog Race in Joseph, Oregon and the Seney 300 in Michigan. He is also teaching mushing to orphans in Russia, while helping the Russians organise the first stage race in the northwestern part of their country.
The Race Marshal is responsible for all aspects of the conduct of the event, ensuring the smooth running of the program and the safety of the dogs and mushers. Whilst he cannot control the temperature on the day the events start at dawn and dusk to ensure all classes can compete in the coolest parts of the day.
“It’s great to be back in Canberra again”, said Hinesly, “the Aussies are so enthusiastic and professional, and the Canberra race is a great showcase for the sport in Australia, it’s right up there and worthy of it’s new international status.”
Hinesly marshalled the Altitude 5000 Australian snow race last weekend before travelling to Canberra to officiate as the Race Marshal for the 14th Annual Canberra Classic at Kowen Forest over this weekend of 21-22 August 2010.
Spectators are welcome. They will need to set the alarm early to catch the excitement of the big 4-dog teams as racing kicks off at 7am each morning. It’s all over by about 10.30am but the coffee and bbq cafe will still be hot.
The Saturday evening heats for 6 and 8 dog teams will commence by 6pm, spectators are encouraged to arrive around 5pm to watch the preparations before the start.
Further information can be found on www.canberrasleddogclub.com.au .
