Press release
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2009
Contact:
Sally O’Sullivan Bair
IFSS Secretary General
8554 Gateway Circle
Monticello, MN 55362 USA
Tel: +1 763 295 5465
Fax: +1 763 295 3290
Email: sbair@tds.net
Long Distance Race Organizers Symposium
by Bernard Pépin, IFSS Vice President of Sport
The Grande Odyssee race organizer, Henry Kam, took the initiative of organizing the first Long Distance Race Organizers Symposium at the Alfort Veterinary School in Paris on Monday afternoon, June 29 and Tuesday morning, June 30, 2009.
Eight race organizers were present: La Grande Odyssee (France), Pirena (Spain), Amundsenrace (Sweden), Femundlopet (Norway), Arctic Barents Race (Russia-Norway-Finland-Sweden), Pasvik Trail (Norway), Hope-Naderzhda (Russia), and Finnmarkslopet (Norway). The Yukon Quest had also planned to attend the symposium, but a last minute obstacle prevented their sending a representative. The Czech federation (Svaz Sportu Psích Sprezeni) and the Slovak federation (Slovenski Klub Vondikov Vleçnih Psov) were also represented, their being interested in organizing long distance races in the future. IFSS (International Federation of Sleddog Sports) was invited as the overall governing body of the sport, and the French federation (Fédération Française des Sports de Traineau) was the hosting country’s federation.
Each of the race organizers had the opportunity to present a brief outline of their race. The Femundlopet organizer affirmed that their race would be the first long distance World Championship, slated to be held in 2011. He also mentioned the other WCh 2011 venues, Harmar and Holmenkollen.
IFSS Vice President Pépin also had the opportunity to address the group. He presented the IFSS role in developing the sport and harmonizing regulations. Highlighting the IFSS World Cup and World Championships programs, he also up-dated attendees on doping control, both in-competition and out-of-competition.
The Symposium included a presentation of the Internet media “Daily Motion,” which is an easy-to-access and cheap media tool with a wide coverage. Pep Parés of Pirena made a presentation about communication, which was especially relevant to the area where the Pirena and La Grande Odyssee take place. Mathieu Bozon, representing a group of ski resorts where La Grande Odyssee has several stages, explained why it is significant that a group of ski resorts hosts a long distance race: the image to the public, spectators and TV viewers, and internal communication to create a bond between the resorts.
Henry Kam and veterinarian Dominique Grandjean made a presentation on security and safety issues (i.e. authorization requirements, trail preparation and safety, dog health control, etc.).
Part of the symposium was dedicated to listing issues common to all the organizers. The objective was not to solve these issues but to see which ones could be worked on for the benefit of everyone. The list included:
• developing a GPS tracking system,
• improving airline positions on dog transportation,
• consideration of a veterinary exchange program to develop the interest of the veterinarians for sled dogs,
• publishing and harmonizing a race calendar,
• harmonizing the race rules and the trail marking so that basically the same rules and marking will be used on each race,
• having a common sponsor marketing strategy.
Pépin offered the help of IFSS in harmonizing the race rules. Presently IFSS has no specific rules for distance races except for the minimum age of the dogs and the competitors. The mandate from this symposium presents a good opportunity to develop key IFSS regulations for distance races.
Several race organizers indicated an interest in hosting a future long distance World Championship. IFSS is open to all proposals for 2013 and after.
Participants were convinced that all long distance races benefited by sharing their experiences at this symposium and will continue to profit from working together on common issues. They have agreed that this symposium was useful and anticipate meeting again in 2010 (location to be determined) with the hope of having representatives from North American races present.
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