Race action on four paws in Hintersee

A visit here is definitely worthwhile, as you can take an interesting look behind the scenes. Stake-out is the name given to the paddock for the participants, the mushers with their four-legged athletes. The stake-out itself is a leash fixed to the ground - a kind of car park for the dogs. Here they wait for their turn after dozing in their pens and a short walk. As soon as one of the dogs raises its snout to the sky and starts howling, all the dogs present join in the song. The mushers, the pilots of the dog sleds and skijoring partners, stand in the centre of the dogs. They radiate calm and routinely prepare the teams for the start.

Here, the dogs are led individually around the paddock on a lead, where warm soup is served. Warm soup? To ensure that the dogs are well hydrated before the start and don't eat snow on the way, they are given some meat broth at a sufficient distance from the race. Another team puts booties on one of the dogs - small special socks that protect the paws from sharp-edged snow crystals. The dogs - Alaskan and Siberian huskies, malamutes, Samoyeds, hounds (European sled dogs) and Greenland dogs - deal with the racing fever in very different ways. Some are still lying comfortably in the sun while others are already feeling the racing atmosphere and prancing restlessly around the stake-out with their ears pricked up.

Suddenly, excitement is added to the furry chaos and the howling increases by several decibels as the musher pushes the sled, a state-of-the-art racing machine made of carbon fibre, into position and lays out the pulling lines. The dog handler - a helper, usually from his own team - now helps to harness the dogs. The musher himself stands on the runners of the sled and presses the snow anchor firmly into the ground so as not to be pulled along by the motivated four-legged friends. Each dog has its own fixed position. At the front are the clever leaders, who confidently carry out every command from their musher and lead the team. Behind them, depending on the size of the team, are further teams of two strong and reliable dogs. As soon as all the dogs are harnessed up, the dog handlers lead the team through the stake-out directly to the starting line. Once again, the snow anchor is set, the brake mat and claw brake are kicked into the ground and the dog handlers have their hands full trying to slow down the sled dogs' will to run until the countdown. 3... the snow anchor is cleared, 2... the dog handlers step aside, 1... feet off the brake mat and with an incredible thrust the dogs start forwards. The howling stops immediately and each of the dogs knows what to do now: run! And they do it with passion. To the delight of the many spectators and photographers along the varied route through Hintersee.

The international sled dog race with participants from all over Europe starts in different classes: There are teams of two to twelve dogs, like the one that is just disappearing from view with snow swirling in its paws. But there are also skijoring teams - i.e. cross-country skiers who are connected to one or two dogs with a pull rope - or canicrossers, runners with dogs. And this sport doesn't need to worry about the next generation, as the kids' race that takes place afterwards shows. The youngest participant is almost as tall as his running buddy on four paws and, accompanied by his dad, a professional ski jogger, he can be confidently pulled along the small running circuit in the finish area.

After the race, the atmosphere in the Stake-Out in the centre of Hintersee is relaxed. While the local clubs pamper themselves with hot pancakes, sausages, beer and lemonade in the finish area, the dog lovers are naturally drawn back to the Stake-Out to get a taste of the backstage atmosphere. After the race, the dogs are deeply relaxed, soak up the sun on their thick fur on the loungers and enjoy being stroked by admirers young and old. The owners are happy to answer questions and talk about the musher's life: "Sled dog sport is very demanding and we dedicate all our free time to the dogs. They are part of our family and we train together, celebrate victories and learn from failed runs. We mushers are all one big family and meet up at all the races. Hintersee has made a brilliant debut as an international sled dog race."

Silence has fallen in Hintersee, the smallest village in the foothills of the Alps with a true winter wonderland around the idyllic lake. Darkness slowly descends over the village and the dogs are taken back to their cosy boxes. But next year, the mushers and dogs will be back to create a cloud of sound over the small community in the Fuschlseeregion with the howling of the athletes on four paws.