LURE COURSING
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008
Husby Säteri
Söderköping, Sweden
July 27th 2008
Editor: Chart Polski International / NT
With help of: Zaida Hämäläinen, Anne Pyykkönen
Photo: Sami Hietanen
Zephyrus-Favonius Ikar and Isolde from the Netherlands,
Mazur Junior Husarska Szarża and Cykuta Szpony Tradycji from Poland and
Polskis Aprilia and Alfa Romeo with Luna Full Speed from Finland.
First LC European Championship with full 6 dogs composition
There were in all seven Chart Polskis entried to the Euro Championship, but in the last moments one of them, Polskis Audi TT, came in heat. Nevertheless, finally there were six Chart Polski competitors, so now it was first time possible to grant the Lure Coursing European Championship title to the breed, like also the CACIL. The competitors came from the Netherlands, Poland and Finland.
There were three judges: Ivar Kvale (SE), Hubert Iser (BE) and Bo Forssberg (SE) during the preliminary and Michael Behrmann (DE), Steinar Mathisen (NO) and Per Nordahl (SE) during the final.
The weather was very warm and sunny. There was rumoured that the lenght of the track was in the preliminary 800 m and in the final 650 m. Tracks were quite demanding and both durability and agility were needed. The terrain of the preliminary was flat with some view obstacles, instead of that the final track contained more height differences. The lure was silent but quite imperceptible, so it was not always easy to see it.
For now the victory went to Finland, but the Polish and Dutch competitors did good job and put up a strong resistance. Because the two highest placed dogs have unknown dogs in their pedigrees, in accordance with FCI international rules the CACIL was given to the third placed Luna Full Speed.
Feelings
Altogether it was again great to meet the Chart Polski fanciers from different countries. Self the happening was great, festive and impressive: waving flags and national anthems...
– There were around 400 dogs from 15 countries contending for the championship. Surroundings were beautiful with old castle and lots of countryside around us. Weather was quite extreme, at least for "northern" dogs: both days there was over + 30 °C degrees and mostly no wind at all. This has made the ground dry and hard, and some dogs did hurt themself during race, tells Zaida Hämäläinen, owner of Polskis Alfa Romeo.
– Because weather was so hot, it was good that there was quite a long break between the preliminary and the final. At least Alfa need some cooling down between races and he "enjoyed" some waterplay in lake nearby. Alfa don't actually like to swim...
Tracks were exacting: one with some visual obstructions and other with rough escarpments. Neither one can man say easy one, at least for a large dog with long turning radius. Little and very fast Aprilia was like made for these tracks, fast turns and good condition made her unbeatable winner.
Days were long. There were many dogs, so evening was behind schedule. But sun was shining, atmosphere were amusing and we had lots of time to spend with old and new friends...After the competition the homecoming was solemn:
– Our lovely little Apri is really an incredible character! She is not at all hard by nature, but extremely sensitive and smart with fast reactions and agile. Also she has desire to win and order. At home she is very loyal to her family and strongly attached to it and she also want to provide for her family. I think Apri is deserved to win, says Anne Pyykkönen, the owner of the winner Polskis Aprilia.Attention!
Also the other competitors are welcome to send their comments here!
Result list
1. Polskis Aprilia (FI)
246 + 254 = 500 pts., CAC, LC EuCh 08
2. Polskis Alfa Romeo (FI)
228 + 241 = 469 pts.
3. Luna Full Speed (FI)
223 + 239 = 462 pts., CACIL
4. Cykuta Szpony Tradycji (PL)
217 + 225 = 442 pts., res-CACIL
5. Mazur Junior Husarska Szarża (PL)
217 + 217 = 434 pts.
---Zephyrus-Favonius Ikar (NL)
-76 pts.
See more pictures here:
Sami Hietanen
Andrzej Ćwikliński
Sighthoundphotos.net
Some other photographers (?)
