WSS Championship in canicross

The track was just 3,3 km long, so we expected a very fast run, but it was not so easy. The chip nr. 666 outlined it will be hell and it was. Tha sand on the ground made it very difficult to run in, there were some uphill and downhill passages, steep turns, roots covered in fallen leaves so it was quite a technical run and one had to be very careful. And then there was the weather. Mother nature prepared very hot weather. We expected a cold, foggy autumn day ideal for a run, but instead we got a hot and sunny day. We were boiling even when preparing for the race ind during the race it was even worse. We wetted us and the dogs in freezing water before the start, but it did not help much.

We took quite a risk when we chose the dogs for this race. Instead of experienced canicrossers we entered with young light females, who are still learning. Eri kran with Amiga, Mirka with Bella. At the beginning they were great and started with great tow, but it went steadily weaker and weaker. The last kilometer Bella did not tow at all and Mirka had to strive very much to maintain the pace. We wanted to fight for medals, but knew it will be very difficult and the competition is very tough. But it all worked. Erik finished the race in an average pace under 4min/km (exactly 3:58) Mirka a little over 4 min. Erik came in the time 12:34 and finished first in the WSS men’s cathegory and became with Amiga the WSS Champion of canicross. Among all men runners with all breeds over 15 kg, they were 20th/43. Mirka won in the WSS women’s cathegory, too just 10 sec. before the second one. In total she was 33rd/99.

Our daughter Natalie (11) started in the juniors 11-15 years with her Vendetta and won her cathegory, too. Caroline and Bella ran among children. They were the only couple with WSS so they won automatically and finished 4th among all little girls.

Our best canicrosser Frozen ran with our friend Renata Hallová, they were great and finished 6th among WSS, our progeny Amelie Angel Niktel ran with Vlastimil Halla and they finished bronze. We could also see a dog from the B litter in his first ever canicross race – Barnie Beetle Niktel and his mistress Naďa, came 8th, they were first very nervous, but enjoyed the race after all and are looking forward to another race in a few weeks. Our Cotton Candy Niktel also had her racing premierre and started with a junior Josefine. They were both very happy they could race and enjoyed it very much too. Josefine is looking forward to getting her own WSS soon and hopefully will be running together later. And in the younger junior 7-10 cathegory, there was Valentýna Hallová with Amelie (Amiga’s sister, daughter of Frozen) and they also won their cathegory.

Apart from canicross, there was also a morning race in bikejöring and scooterjöring. It did not belong to the WSS championship, but was an open race for all breeds. Erik started in SC2 – scooter + 2 dogs with Axel and Vendetta. It was great adrenalin to see them run. They sprinted the whole way.

Thanks to all the organisers, sponsors, helpers and photographers for a great race. We are looking for next year’s edition already.