European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 20, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A Snow or to they re a goby Chuck Roberts staff writer it was both a dry run and the real thing when a mob of racing huskies and their mushers got together for one of the International dog sled races held on Winter weekends throughout Europe. Because of springtime conditions at a recent race in Liebe Schied Germany the dogs pulled wheeled wagons instead of sleds and dirt and grass replaced Snow. But the excitement was genuine. As the teams waited at the starting Gate the howling huskies yanked against their harnesses working themselves into a frenzy that had them leaping straight into the  their starting time finally arrived the bundles of Energy burst out of the starting Gate through a throng of spectators. Some 30 minutes later the teams of assorted alaskan malamute samoyeds and other huskies pulled across the finish line weary and wet after completing the approximately 6-mile course. Seconds after Frank Eckelt crossed the finish line the 16-year-old racer jumped off his three wheeled cart and hugged his three mud speckled siberian huskies. By then the dogs were Calm and quiet As they stood breathing heavily their tongues hanging out. Eckelt has travelled across Europe the past four years with his father Albert Bonke to participate in the Amateur rages. A they Are born to run they love it a said Bonke of his dogs. Bonke a House Painter from mettetal Germany began racing in 1982 after being introduced to the sport three years earlier by an american Friend. The sport got into his blood Bonke said. When he s mushing through the Snow with a team of dogs in front of him Bonke said he understands the feelings expressed Fay Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen who discovered the South pole. Continued on Page 12 at sop a Driver runs behind his wheeled cart As he urges his team up a Hill. Dogs peer out of their portable Kennel before the race. To Ftp 4k february 20, / 992 stripes Magazine 1 1