In terms of winter mushing events, 2022 is going to be very busy! If you are as mad about this sport as we are, get your diaries ready so you don't miss out on any of the upcoming events. What can you look forward to in the world of mushing?
The Covid-19 pandemic caused for many 2021 dog races to be canceled, especially the winter ones. All the more excited are the contestants and their four-legged companions, as well as the spectators, about the upcoming winter months. They will bring almost a dozen events held all over the Czech Republic.
New Year's Race in the Ore Mountains and the qualifications for the World Cup
The season starts with the Ore Mountains mushers in Abertamy during the second week of the new year, 8-9 January 2022, with the Eduard's Sprint 2022 and the national championship in the middle-distance track the Eduard's Mid. Let's hope that poor snow conditions won't spoil the contestants' performances.
The baton will be taken over the following weekend by mushers at the Czech championship in Horník, Tři Studně. The championship is organised by the Trnka amateur sports team and it is a qualification race for the World Championship in Särna, Åsarna and Östersund, Sweden, in February. Don't miss out - 15-16 January in the Vysočina Region.
On the same weekend, the Czech Canada – Bohumír Kremlička's Memorial dog sled race is going to celebrate its 9th year..
The tracks of all the three above mentioned races in the Ore Mountains, Vysočina and Czech Canada are short to middle-distance, measuring from 5 to 30 km.
Longer trails, the oldest race and international participation
One of the first international races in our country will be the Horní Mísečky's Grand Prix, organised by Michal Ženíšek and the Jednota Sokol Gym. The Grand Prix will take place during the third January weekend - 22-23 January 2022. The first contestants from Czech and from abroad are already getting registered.
On the same weekend a smaller local race will be held in Janovičky near Broumov, organised by the Metuje Mushers Club on a 25 km long trail which can be quite challenging. It is also the alternative date for the national championship.
Only a few days after the Grand Prix, one of the most famous races with the longest race track in the country takes place. It will celebrate its 25th anniversary. The Šediváček's long, national championship in the long-distance track is scheduled for 25-29 January 2022. You can read more about the race itself in our recent article 'Šediváček's Long Celebrates 25 Years'. The race will traditionally take place at the end of January.
Final Sprints and the Ice Ride before the World Cup in Sweden
The Šediváček's Long will be followed by the Zásada Sprint - National championship in sprint/fast track on 29 - 30 January 2022, which will also end the first month of the new year. It has been moved from last year. There was no race in 2020 either due to a lack of snow. Fingers crossed for the organising clubs SK Zásada and the Krakonoš Sports Club to have more luck this year.
After the Orlické Mountains, we'll move back to the Ore Mountains before going to the Giant Mountains. The popular Lesná race is organised for 5-6 January 2022 by Marie Ševelová and also, once again, the Maxičky's TJ Sokol. Same as with Eduard and Horník, it is a short track race.
On the same weekend, the last of the more significant mushing events of the season on the domestic scene will also take place, the oldest race in the country - the 28th Ice Ride - the Dr. Václav Vojtěch Memorial. The race, named after the Czech sailor, coal passer and dog handler Václav Vojtěch, who travelled past the South Polar Circle, will be held in Pec pod Sněžkou. It is organised by SK Krakonoš.
The calendar with all the races is regularly updated by the Czech Association of Sleddog Sports – stay informed.
Go mushing!
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