This is a kick off thread for the Grande Odyssée sled dog race which I’m covering for Pistehors this year. It is the only race wholly in the mountains so the doggies will have their work cut out. We’ve previously covered the national champs at Meaudre, here are some videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjCd_wptfCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dBu2ry64xY

http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/1065-9th-edition-of-the-grande-odyssee/

gigi lerose - 10 January 2013 03:23 PM

It is the only race wholly in the mountains so the doggies will have their work cut out.

surely it’s not? There are dozens of these races on a grand prix circuit, we’ve got two or three here one of which is over several days. I’d describe them wholly in the mountains or am I missing something?

Good point. The race in Meaudre, the French Championships, is in the mountains from 1000 to 1600 meters, you can see this in the video we took. I was taking this from the information pack and had things like the Iditarod in mind. I will ask someone what they mean by this. Thank-you for the critical appraisal.

Now here is something, the French national dog sledding association has its headquarters near Poitiers, can’t be much snow there.

Frenchman wins the GDO’s prologue

Mushers preparing for the Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc typically run up to 4000 kilometers in the months prior to the race. The training often begins in the summer and December is critical for mushers and dogs. The training programme usually includes a mix of distance, speed, and weight. The choice of dogs is important as their speed and endurance may vary. Even the choice of food will affect the strength of towing.
Each leg of the GDO is preceded by a strict veterinary control where the identity of the dogs and their vaccinations are controlled.

The Prologue took place on January 12, covering a distance of 12km, and was won by the French Jean-Philippe Pontier, who caused a surprise last year by winning the last two legs (also the longest) of the 2012 edition.
Pistehors wishes good luck to all participants.

Monday’s stage is a loop around Morillon - Sixt Fer à Cheval - Morillon

Some videos from the today’s stage of the Grande Odyssee :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2H0ztUXyHQ - Pontier, who won today and the prologue (see above)

They look like Greyhound - Husky cross - Gruskies maybe? Fast and hardy but they need an electric rabbit to chase.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmO7wduiexg - Daniel Juillaguet who came in 7th today, 32 minutes behind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIhoIiJVh-M - Pontier and Furtwangler at the vet check to make sure the dogs are ok.

Tomorrow’s stage is Sommand -> Praz de Lys -> Sommand, depart at 10am finish between 2 and 3pm. The gap between the first and last today is a massive 2h45m. Already 5h38 gap between the lanterne rouge and the leader, Pontier, it is like mountain stage on the Tour de France.

Apart from the official stage there were also 10 teenagers trained by professional mushes who took part in a special 5km race.

GDO 3rd leg: Sommand-Praz de Lys - Sommand

Daniel Juillaguet

French Jean-Philippe Pontier arrived fifth at today’s 3rd leg, which was a 62km race in the Sommand-Praz de Lys area. He lost his first place overall. The 3rd leg was won by Czech Jiri Vondrak who completed the loop in 3h01’17’’ 3’35’’, French Juillaguet Daniel, a native of Jura, arriving second. Juillaguet is the only musher who has taken part in all editions of the GDO. The 17 mushers enjoyed today the good snowfall of last night.

http://youtu.be/qYQg4ZplRX8 - Jean-Philippe Pontier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHWo_mmygfk - Silvia Furtwangler with some interesting dogs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgmLSmbm7YI - the dogs of Daniel Juillaguet at the finish

The 4th stage will take place tomorrow and will cover Praz sur Arly - Flumet - Crest Voland Cohennoz