Barkie Birkie Skijor, Febr. 20. 2020

It was a very cold (-8F) but sunny morning when the Barkie Birkie event took place in Hayward, Wisconsin. It is one of several races leading up to the American Birkebeiner crosscountry ski race that will take place on Saturday, 2.22. 2020.
What a fun event to watch. The dogs were certainly the stars of the day!! And there were all sizes and breeds. At times it seemed like total chaos at the start and finish line. But the many volunteers had everything under control!!
There were 2 waves - the 5 km for the experts and the 3 km for the novices.
Both start and finish were on the Main Street. 
A good description about the event from the American Birkebeiner website:

This event is a great opportunity for skiers and spectators to enjoy the sport of Skijoring and for the dogs to show off their “Barkie Fever”!
Skijoring combines cross country skiing with dog power. The skier is attached to his/her dog with a belt and towline. The dog then runs ahead as the skier skis. Skijoring is a team sport which allows both human and canine counterparts to exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.

Skijoring is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning ski driving. The sport has been around for hundreds of years and originally started using reindeer and wooden skis. The sport also uses horses, but dogs are now the most common animal used in skijoring.

Most medium size dogs (30 pounds and up) who are trained properly can be candidates for skijoring.


Enjoy the photos and many expressions of this fun morning.
Susanne

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Waiting for their turn

A good start

Skiers and dogs from the first wave returning to the finish 

Right before the finish line this pooch decided to lay down

Welcoming back 

A happy pair

Lots of media recording the event. The dogs were the stars!

Waiting for the start of the second wave

This dog got a pep talk from one of the many volunteers

Still waiting 

Finally - off we go

One of the smallest dogs

Count down 

Some dogs got confused and needed help to go in the right direction

Ready to go!

It was cold - in spite of the sun

Parading down on Main street!!