Skipton woman and dogs compete in Finland dog racing championships

A Skipton native and her team of dogs recently raced in the International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) Dryland Championship in Jamijarvi, Finland.

Jo Wormald, a teaching assistant at Brooklands School, participated in the event from October 16 to October 20 alongside three of her rescue dogs.

The journey to the competition was no easy feat for Ms Wormald, who drove across nine countries to get there.

She and her dogs arrived in time to get familiar with the course, and for the dogs to undergo a vet check before the races began.

Her foxhound, Wrath, who was rehomed from Foxhound Welfare in 2019, secured ninth place in the DS1 (one-dog scooter) category and eleventh place in the Bikejor (cycling with a dog) category - missing out on a top ten spot by just seven seconds.

Ms Wormald's DS2 (two-dog scooter team), Melody and Drama, didn't get to start on day two.

Ms Wormald said that it was nevertheless "a fabulous learning experience for Drama."

She added: "It was her first ever race on wheels, as our warm up race in the UK was cancelled due to flooding, and once she realises that she doesn’t need to greet every photographer, she will be as amazing as her more experienced race partner."

Following their return to the UK, Ms Wormald and her dogs participated in a race in the Midlands, where all her dogs made it to the podium.

Now, they are eagerly looking forward to the start of the National Championship races in December.