Husky power is coming to town
10:30am Thursday 15th January 2009 in Search Module By Andrew Greaves
Laura Ashton racing her pack of husky dogs
HUSKY racing may invoke images of snow-laden terrain and eskimos for most people, but the reality is very different for an Astley Bridge couple.
Laura Ashton and her husband Philip are believed to be Bolton’s first husky racing team and have been competing in rallies — held mainly in snow-less forests across Britain — for the last year.
Now they are preparing for their biggest event yet, the Siberian Husky Club’s Arden Grange Aviemore Rally, next weekend.
Laura said: “I guess it is a bit strange for people to think of husky racing in Bolton, but it is becoming a very popular sport across the country.
“In this country it is dry land racing so we use a three wheel rig. The event at Aviemore in Scotland is the big one in the calendar and we are really looking forward to it.”
The pair moved back to Bolton from Germany, where Philip worked as a telecoms engineer, two years ago and bought their first husky, Sonny, shortly after.
Laura, a trainee teacher, said: “We were introduced to racing by Sonny’s breeder and it didn’t take long before we were hooked.
“We started off with one dog and now we race with four. Sonny’s breeder took us along and we really got into it straight away.”
In preparation for the rally — two four-mile races on cross country ski courses — Laura, aged 28, and Philip, aged 33, have been putting in hours of practice at woodland in St Helens.
The couple’s three children, Finlay, aged seven, Isobel, aged four, and Keiran, aged three, enjoy the rallies.
Laura said: “Finlay has started having a go at riding with one dog.There are not many activities you can do as a whole family these days but husky racing is certainly one of them.”
The Aviemore Rally takes place at the Glenmore Forest Park on January 24 and 25.
