A Central Otago woman’s Alaskan huskies will race in the upcoming Wānaka Sled Dog festival (WSDF) at the Snow Farm in the Cardrona Valley (September 5-9).

Stef Meier has competed twice in WSDF and took away the 2022 Veterinary Award for best team care.

“I do it because the dogs love it and I love my dogs.

“We’re all doing a cold dance in the hope that there is enough snow to run.”

Stef has three Alaskan huskies of her own (Zip, Ezka and Buzz Lightyear); two imported from Canada and the third bred in Alaska and born here. This year she is also working with Luna, another Alaskan husky.

“They really are elite athletes… Alaskan huskies are the fastest land mammal across long distances…My dogs are bred from champion lines linking to the Iditarod [a long distance sled dog race in Alaska].

“They honestly love it and it makes them so happy to pull.” 

Stef has entered the four dog and eight dog sled races (a combined seven dog team of her and a friends’ dogs have entered the eight dog event).

Her newest addition is Nizmo, a three month old Alaskan husky. He’ll be watching the action and seeing what it is all about from a safe vantage point. 

Three month old Alaskan puppy Nizmo. PHOTO: Supplied

Stef owns and operates small business Dog-on adventures, offering pack walks, six week-long sled dog skills tuition and private dog walking, and she is sponsoring the WSDF eight dog class this year.

WSDF involves several classes of racing the eight dog sled, six dog sled, four dog sled, three dog sled, two dog slide and single dog skijor. 

Stef said she wants to grow sled dog racing everywhere in New Zealand and she is thinking of running her training course in Queenstown or Wānaka.

“Of the people who have done [the sled dog course] a couple are starting to get involved in the sport.”

In New Zealand, dog-sledding is mostly a dry land sport, such as bikejor or canicross.

Bikejor is basically riding a bike while being pulled along by your dog(s) wearing a running harness, while canicross (canine + cross country), is running with your dog attached to your waist with a bungee leash.  

Stef said she is most comfortable on snow as that is where she was trained.

“The brakes on a sled actually work.”

Despite her preference for snow, she is taking part in the Southland Sled Dog Association event (September 2-3) where she’ll be on a scooter as well as a specialised dog-rig, both being pulled by the pooches.