Storyline: It’s an amazing story. Ben Peters, recovering from a bone-wasting disease, will compete later this month in the International Federation of Sleddog Sports Championship. Co-authored by Donna Richardson and John Smith. Contact Donna at richardsonreporter@gmail.com
Ben and Huskies
A Kegworth man has been selected to represent Team GB in the International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) 2015 Dryland World Championships in Canada – just months after fearing he was going to lose his arm.
Ben Peters, 35, will be racing in the two-dog (DS2) class, along with sled dogs Eva and Lilly, at the end of the month. The race will take place in Bristol, Quebec, 29 October to 1 November 2015.
His selection is all the more remarkable after he contracted a bone-wasting disease in his finger six months ago that left him in on an IV drip in hospital. Doctors at Nottingham City Hospital feared at one point the disease was going to spread to his whole arm. But Ben, who races for Kegworth-based Team Hooner, has battled back to make a full recovery and is now looking forward to the challenge of representing his country.
“I can’t wait for this fantastic opportunity, to compete in the World Championships on my first overseas race, is a dream come true,” he said. “This time, six months ago, I thought I was going to lose my hand, but now I am better and looking forward to representing my sport at the highest level.”
Eva
Team Hooner will travel thousands of miles, first to France and then across to Canada, to fly the flag for Great Britain. Training is now into the final stages with sessions at locations like Sutton Bonington and Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.
Ben and the dogs have also been undertaking tough training regimes to get ready for the event. Ben has been in the gym four times a week for several weeks with a schedule that includes cycling, swimming, jogging, and scootering.
He has been running the hounds in long grass for resistance training and has been putting them through free running on land, running in shallow water, and swimming as well as technical turn training.
“Vital seconds can be knocked off by good clean cornering and with the teams out there this season. It will be seconds deciding races, not minutes,” Ben explained.
Last time, the champion of the same two-dog class won with an average speed of 22mph.
“On nice flat hard pack we are averaging 23.5 mph with resistance, but with mud or grass we drop down to 19.5mph,” explained Ben. “We have lots of work to do, but still have plenty of time to do it. We have the speed and the stamina and just need to build up power that some of the bigger dogs have to get through mud, sand and grass, but that will come in time for Canada. I am constantly amazed by the efforts of our dogs and I know they will give 110 per cent.
The sport of Sled Dog Racing was selected as an Olympic Test event in 1932, but was not taken on. The sport is still working towards International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition. In the meantime there’s plenty of work to do, including organising the upcoming championship, growing the sport locally and overseas, and inspiring the next generation of mushers.
Lilly
What makes Team Hooner special is that their team of 13 rescue dogs includes rescued Siberian huskies and Malamutes. Each one has a unique story. For example, Husky Timber, was rescued from the pound with just hours to live. With tender loving care he is now a fully-fledged, medal-winning athlete.
Find more information about the championships here. And visit the BristolDryland and the IFSS facebook pages for more and live results.
NOTE: Because sled dog racing is a minority sport, Ben has to be self-funding and the team is looking for more sponsorship to help with costs they have incurred in getting to Canada. Extra funding will get them beyond the winter season and will allow Ben to follow his dream of racing dogs professionally. If you or know of anyone you know is interested in sponsoring Team Hooner please email the team at hoonerracing@gmail.com. Team Hooner would like to thank their kit sponsors VO2, Contour for donating cameras, and food supplier, Infinity, for their support. Contact Ben at kerri_l1@yahoo.com. Thank you!
What is Dryland Sled Dog Racing?
Many of us know about winter dog sledding–where a dog team pulls sleds through snowy trails. Mushers stand on runners behind the sled and encourage the dogs to run. Dryland racing can be done in any season or climate, year round, using wheeled vehicles.
The sport involves a wheeled vehicle to mush and pull along the trail. There is a growing scene in the UK and a competition structure domestically, as well as internationally. There are many classes and vehicle types. What is common in it all is that the dogs run ahead of the vehicles.
The sandy trails in Quebec lead into pine woods and the climate makes perfect terrain for racing in October before the snow drifts in.
Sisters Eva and Lilly love running. They are euro hounds, a combination of German Pointer, Husky and Greyhound. That dynamic DNA helps them perform at amazing speeds. Small but strong, these hounds are built of pure muscle and are built to run.
While the dog athletes are focused, the preparation is great to watch. The dogs dance around on their back legs howling and barking enthusiastically. They are focused and eager to cross the start line!
As they race around, their long tongues dangle insanely out of their mouths, salivating with anticipation, and panting as they pick up break-neck speeds. Their ears prick alert to the starting order. Eva’s piercing eyes are focused while her brown-eyed sister, Lilly, keeps her in check.
They are athletes and, like athletes all, they’re focused on is the task ahead.
