Central musher Stefanie (Stef) Meier won the gold in the eight dog class at the Wānaka Sled Dog Festival (WSDF) on September 8.  

WSDF went ahead for three days as planned on shorter but fun technical trails at the Snow Farm in the Cardrona Valley (September 6-8). 

Stef (owner of Dog On Adventures and four Alaskan huskies) also placed second and third in the four dog class on the first and second day. 

“Friday’s conditions were the best of the three days, being the coldest so the track was able to be groomed properly and the icy patches were not as bad but the dirt sections were a lot bigger,” she said.

“We had a near perfect run with Ezka taking charge and running single lead of our seven dog team.”

Watch some of the seven dog action here.

Sapphire O’Connell (a local taught by Stef) came in fourth on day two, and sixth on day three.

Sapphire with her two dogs. PHOTO: Supplied 

Stef said there were record entries and the most novices the WSDF has ever had. 

“Most of which I had helped through the course in some way or another and a few [were] friends of mine. They also included people from Cardrona and Wānaka so lots of more local people [took part].” 

“Recovery for my dogs included some tasty bones on Saturday and a good sleep in, stretching and massage over the weekend. Not that they needed the rest, they are always ready to run.”

Stef’s team at the start line in the WSDF. PHOTO: Supplied 

The seven dogs (pulling Stef) ran the 5.1 km course in 12 minutes and 38 seconds, and their time was beaten on the day by two six dog sleds (with mushers Curt Perano and Simon Hampton) and one single dog skijor entrant (Craig Collins).

It was the third time Stef has competed in the WSDF and she plans to keep promoting the sport and helping others to learn the skills needed. 

WSDF involves several classes of racing the eight dog sled, six dog sled, four dog sled, three dog sled, two dog sled and single dog skijor. 

Read more: Extreme athletes of dog world to race at festival.