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IFSS Holds Successful Events in Ireland
By Sally O’Sullivan Bair, IFSS Secretary General

Ashford, County Wicklow, Ireland, 28 September, 2010 – “Ceád Mile Fáilte” (Irish for a
hundred thousand welcomes) sums up the excitement and hospitality generated during the
IFSS (International Federation of Sleddog Sports) events in Ashford, County Wicklow, Ireland,
the last week in September. The Belair Hotel and Equestrian Center was the meeting site,
and some of the attendees took advantage of the horseback riding opportunities. The Belair
is a beautiful, old (built in1750) estate that has been refurbished to accommodate equestrian
guests and host events such as the IFSS General Assembly. It was the highlight of the
weeklong events, capped by a truly Irish gala banquet on Saturday evening, which featured
traditional Irish music and dancing.

A race judges’ seminar, given by IFSS Vice President for Sport, Bernard Pépin of France,
launched the events. Approximately twenty people took part. It was followed by a Council
meeting on Friday afternoon. A visit to the ghostly and historically infamous Wicklow Goal
(jail) in Wicklow Town concluded the evening. No one was formally arrested by the actors
of the Gaol, but Oceania Director Anne McIntyre from Australia was allegedly taken into
bondage to face deportation to Australia on the notorious convict ship, HMS Hercules.

Over the weekend IFSS member federations gathered for the IFSS General Assembly.
At the opening it was gladly noted that the number of delegates and observers present
at the GA was many times more than usual! Unification talks with the disparate sled dog
organizations was a major topic of conversation. Dave Steele, executive director of ISDRA
(International Sled Dog Racing Association) gave a presentation to the Assembly, advocating
a restructuring of the World Cup in North America to utilize the best of ISDRA’s and IFSS’s
attributes merged into one plan. Lars Svanfeldt, president of ESDRA (European Sled Dog
Racing Association) indicated that his organization has taken steps to unify, streamlining
the race rules and reducing its administration. Discussions have also started with FISTC
(Federation Internationale Sportive de Traineau a Chiens), WSA (World Sleddog Association)
and ECF (European Canicross Federation).

Latvia was voted as a new Voting Member of IFSS, after a presentation by Girts Eldmanis of
the rapid and stellar development of the sport in his country. Representatives from Norway’s
2011 World Championship Committee gave an update of the events and program scheduled
for February and March, 2011. Germany and Italy presented their bids for a 2011 Dryland
World Championship (WCh). The Council subsequently accepted Germany’s bid to hold
the Dryland WCh in November, 2011, in Borken, Germany. The exact date is yet to be
determined.

Development was an issue of much discussion – how best to outreach to such areas as
the Asian and South American federations, in particular. Concern regarding the relation of
development and IOC (International Olympic Committee) recognition was discussed. IFSS
approved the formation of a new committee, the Sport Recognition Committee, to further IOC
recognition. It will also address other recognition issues of IFSS applicants and members.
Vice President Max Vidal will chair the committee, which is a rebirth of the old Olympic

IFSS Holds Successful Events in Ireland-bengt.docIFSS Holds Successful Events in Ireland.doc

Committee, originally chaired by Bob Levorsen (USA).

In other decisions, the Council elected essentially the same people to the Council. However,
Arild Eisdvold is now the Vice President for Development rather than the Regional Director
for Scandinavia. The Scandinavian regional director’s position is currently vacant pending
completion of additional election procedures. Also the Regional Directors of Asia and South
America are vacant since there are no countries in good standing in these regions.

Carin Ahlstedt (Sweden), IFSS chairperson of the Anti-Doping Committee, gave a two-day
training session on canine doping control procedures. Nicola Hampson provided an excellent
and humorous role-play of a musher having her dog tested to give attendees a chance to fine-
tune their learning.

IFSS is most grateful to Mandy and David Hynes and Nicola Hampson as well as their fellow
members of Sleddogs Ireland for rolling out the red carpet for everyone. A relaxing, fun, and
productive time was had by all. The site was gorgeous, the food super, and the hospitality
and good cheer – after all, Ireland was celebrating 250 years of Arthur Guinness beer – were
indicative of the Irish tradition of warm welcomes.