European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 20, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                \ a Snow or no they Eago two huskies turn around to appraise the damage after their Driver and cart take a spill less than a minute into the race. Continued from put Ige /1 Quot give me Snow and give me dogs and the rest does t matter Quot he said during a noontime Lull in the final Day of the two Day event. Bonke and his son Are among nearly 2,000 mushers from across Europe who participate in approximately 70 races held each year in Central Europe. People from All walks of life Are involved in sled racing which is an expensive and time consuming Hobby said Wolfgang vier chairman of the German Hessen sled dog Amateur sports club. A sled dog costs about 1,200 Marks about $750and each eats about 100 Marks about $63 of dry dog food monthly Bonke said. They must also be exercised regularly which Means Bonke or his son takes the dogs out for a 4 to-5-mile spin with the Wagon or sled at least live Days a week. Forget going out with the dogs for a troll after dinner said one owner. Quot you can t walk with these dogs it s impossible Quot said Christiane Straub As she waited for her husband at the finish line. Quot they Are full of Joy and ready to  plus there is the expense of ferrying the teams and equipment around to different races. Most of this organization s races Are in Austria and Germany but there Are other groups that run regular circuits elsewhere. There Are also big one shot events such As National and International championships and the 625-mile Al Pinrod which this year was run in Austria Northern Italy and France. Vier said european dog sled racing began in the late 1960s after Lufthansa airline pilots brought sled dogs Back with them from Alaska. Since then he said the sport has caught on in Germany. About 5,000 people showed up for the race in Liebe Sheid even though the race was intended to be a Snow show. As Many As 10,000 spectators attend when the races Are held on Snow Bonke said. On saturday the first Day of a typical two Day event the mushers race against the Dock to determine starting positions for the next Day. After sunday s race the Winner is determined by combining the times of each Day and the Musher with the lows St total is awarded a trophy and Points. Traditional Snow sleds Are generally used from Christmas until the season ends in March but the Early season wheeled carts Are used when there s no White stuff to be found. Longer courses Are used when there is Snow because wagons Are harder to pull for the dogs and bumper for the Musher. Watching a dog sled race can be approached the same Way As attending a vol Smarch. There is a festival Hall at the starting Point that otters Basic amenities such As Beer and bratwurst. After watching the sled teams leave the starting line for a while walk along the course to see How the Drivers Man Euver As Many As 11 dogs across the course. Stop at the Sharp turns in the course where mud is sprayed from the wheels As mushers lean into turns like Chariot Drivers. By the time you be walked the route and Are Back to the finish line you la probably be ready for another trip to the food tent. The dogs and their owners also usually hang out near the starting area a and that is one of the big attractions for spectators. Children and adults alike stopped to Admire and pet the Friendly huskies which would sometimes Roll Over on their backs to have their bellies rubbed. Although some of the sled dogs resemble wolves they offer Little to fear. Vier said eskimos and indians bred Only Friendly dogs because they were used Only for work. They had no use for Hunting dogs or watchdogs so unfriendly dogs were not tolerated by the Eskimo people. The animals heritage is evident on the dog Kennel boxes used to haul them around Europe. The boxes Bear names such As Bounty Nanuk Chiwa and Hekla perfect for huskies that were born to run. The next stops in the International dog sled race circuit will be saturday Ana sunday at Monschau Kalter Herberg Germany South of Aachen Nearine Belgium Border and at Ulric Stein Germany West of Fulda. Another race scheduled for feb. 29 and March 1 at bad Berneburg Germany South West u Kassel. For More information about races or the Hessen sled dog Amateur sports club Contact Wolfgang vier at Pette Weiler Strasse 3, 6368 bad vibe Germany or Call 06101 -44784. Vier Speaks English. 12 stripes Magazine