Tuesday, 27 March 2012 09:55

The Connollys Red Mills Sleddog Races that were held last Sunday 25th March 2012 were are resounding success with entries from both old and new competitors arriving to take part on the day..
The weather turned out to be a beautiful spring day, and the races started early in order to allow both dogs and mushers the chance to perform to their best abilities... with the maximum amount of comfort.
The final standings at the end of year were received by all with both gratitude and well wishes to those who took top placings and also to those who didn't as all were winners in the end!

These were the results of Sundays races:
Scooter
1st place: Suzanne Bojovsky
2nd place: John Fitzsimons
Rig:
1st place: Colm Burns
2ns place: Davy Hynes
Bike:
1st place: Mandy Hynes
2nd place: Louise Jones
Canicross:
1st place: Linda Frizzell
2nd place: Alisa Rybicka

The overall combined end of year standings are as follows:
Scooter:
1st  John Fitzsimons
2nd Suzanne Bojkovsky
Rig:
1st Colm Burns
2nd Fintan Morrissey
Bike:
1st Mandy Hynes
2nd Louise Jones
Canicross:
1st Louise Jones
2nd Sebastien Mahony

Childrens classes took place after the official races with 5 keen young mushers taking part.. All junior mushers went home with their Junior Champion trophy to have their Mammys and Daddys dust on a regular basis throughout the summer months, until they vie to add more to their collection next season!.

Here is a link to Louise Burns beginning her race in the Bikejoring Class: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2Bifq5Htos&features=youtu.be
Go to our Facebook page: Irish Federation of Sleddog Sports for lots of photos...!

We wish to thank all our members, competitors, handlers, stewards and spectators for their support all year, and look forward to meeting with you all in next years raciing season..
The AGM of the Irish Federation of Sleddog Sports is scheduled to be held this June combined with a Walk on the Wild Side summer outing.
IrishFSS

Tuesday, 13 March 2012 15:19

Colm Burns and Fintan Morrissey of the Irish Federation of Sleddog Sports both made National News when the Irish Independent newspaper published a great article  on their success at the Canadian International Championships in Daaquam last week:
Colm races into record books with 'superb' dogsled finish by Greg Harkin
A SPORTSMAN who fulfilled a lifetime ambition by representing Ireland in the International Dogsledding Championships in Canada has achieved the highest finish for an Irish competitor.
Colm Burns, a 40-year-old electrician, came sixth in the 'six-dog, pure-breed' race in Quebec at the weekend.
The result has delighted sporting colleagues who are hoping his placing will help Ireland secure a top international 'dry-land' event.
Irish Dogsledding Federation secretary Mandy Hines said Mr Burns's achievement was ''just superb''.
She told the Irish Independent: ''It was an incredible result for Colm and for our sport here in Ireland.
''It's the highest placed Irish competitor we've ever had and he was up agaiinst top countries like the USA and Canada.
''Thanks to Coillte, we have the best trails in Europe right here in Ireland for the non-snow, dry-land version of the sport and this will help us secure top international events, which will be a massive boost for tourism.''
Mr Burns said: ''I only took up the sport properly four years ago so to be representing my country in one of the biggest events of its kind was special.
''I suppose my fascination with the sport began when I was very young because I loved husky dogs.''
He said he couldn't believe it when he heard you could race the dogs here in Ireland and decided to take up the sport.
''We have modified sleds for all weather conditions and I do my training in forest parks,'' he said.
Irelands increasing presence in the sport was recognised by the fact the Canadian organisers picked Kilkenny man Fintan Morrissey as head marshall. ''It was a great weekend for our sport,'' said Ms Hines.