WHAT MUSHERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT AMUNDSEN RACE
Every musher arrives with a different story.
In this series, we let the mushers tell you—in their own words—what Amundsen Race has meant to them.
▶ Nicolò Vergani:
La prima volta che ho partecipato all’Amundsen mi è successa una cosa che, più di tante altre, ha cambiato il mio modo di essere musher.

Da musher del Sud Europa ero abituato a fare sleddog in un contesto relativamente “comodo”. Non abbiamo facilmente distese infinite o ore di trail completamente isolate. Se qualcosa va storto, di solito una strada non è troppo lontana, qualcuno può raggiungerti, un veterinario è comunque accessibile. Anche quando sei solo, sai che una rete di sicurezza esiste.

Durante quella prima Amundsen, invece, nel cuore della notte e in mezzo al nulla, Dory ha iniziato a non stare bene.

Non eravamo soltanto lontani da un checkpoint: eravamo lontani anche da qualsiasi posto in cui sarebbe stato semplice organizzare un recupero. E io, per alcuni minuti, mi sono agitato parecchio.

Poi a un certo punto mi sono fermato e mi sono praticamente obbligato a rimettere ordine nella testa.

“Ok. Calma. Sono qui, da solo con i miei cani. Dory non sta tanto bene, ma io so benissimo cosa fare.”

L’ho visitata, ho controllato che non ci fosse nulla di realmente preoccupante, le ho fatto un po’ di coccole, l’ho sistemata al caldo nella sacca, le ho dato acqua e cibo. Poi siamo ripartiti.

Dory, per fortuna, non stava seriamente male. Ma in quel momento ho capito quanto la mia agitazione stesse rendendo tutto più difficile. Per me, e soprattutto per i cani.

Quella notte l’Amundsen mi ha insegnato qualcosa che ancora oggi considero fondamentale: la calma non è semplicemente una qualità utile per un musher. È parte della gestione del team.

I cani percepiscono immediatamente quello che succede a noi. Se trasformiamo un problema in un’emergenza, per loro diventa un’emergenza. Se invece restiamo lucidi, valutiamo la situazione e facciamo ciò che va fatto, possiamo diventare il loro punto di riferimento anche quando siamo stanchi, isolati e qualcosa non va secondo i piani. ...

WHAT MUSHERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT AMUNDSEN RACE
Every musher arrives with a different story.
In this series, we let the mushers tell you—in their own words—what Amundsen Race has meant to them.
▶ Maarten van Cauwenberghe: The dogs did an absolutely fantastic job.. 💙

"De langste verplaatsing die we ooit gedaan hebben voor een race was die voor de Amundsen race in Stömsund.

Alles is heel relaxed en vlot verlopen, het viel ons vooral op hoe goed alles georganiseerd was : professioneel en duidelijk.

Het gebied is prachtig, het was een super fijne ervaring om met de honden door de landschappen van het mooie Jämtland te glijden.

De race zelf heb ik wel wat onderschat, het was best een uitdagende en zware race. Niet alles is perfect verlopen maar de honden hebben het wel fantastisch gedaan.

Net zoals elke race heeft de Amundsen zo een belandrijke rol gespeeld in mijn verdere ontwikkeling als musher, een nieuwe ervaring met nieuwe inzichten.

Deze race is zeker een aanrader voor iedereen die actief is in de wereld lange afstand slede honden races."

English:
"The longest journey we have ever made for a race was to the Amundsen Race in Strömsund. Everything went smoothly and felt very relaxed. What stood out most was how well everything was organised: professional, clear and well planned.

The area is beautiful, and it was an amazing experience to travel with the dogs through the stunning landscapes of Jämtland.

I have to admit that I underestimated the race a little. It was challenging and tough, and not everything went perfectly. But the dogs did an absolutely fantastic job.

Like every race, the Amundsen Race played an important part in my development as a musher. It gave me new experiences and fresh insights.

I would definitely recommend this race to anyone involved in long-distance sled dog racing.

I will also attach the one we did for Roberto, for you to remember easier."

—
Amundsen Race 2027
📍 Strömsund, Sweden
🏆 WSA World Championship Long Distance
🏆 Championnat de France Longue Distance 2027 – 250 km
📅 February 25–28, 2027
www.amundsenrace.com

photo: @photos_from_a_guy @lifeofa_guy ...

Registration is getting closer. ❄️

Got questions about Amundsen Race 2027, the AR250 WSA World Championship, WDL, registration or team limits?

We’ve got you covered.
Swipe through our Registration Q&A and get ready for October 4 at 12:00pm.

See you on the trail. 🐕❄️

—
Amundsen Race 2027
📍 Strömsund, Sweden
🏆 WSA World Championship Long Distance
📅 February 25–28, 2027
www.amundsenrace.com ...

WSA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LONG DISTANCE 2027 – AR250

How to register
Planning to race the WSA World Championship Long Distance during Amundsen Race AR250? Here is what you need to do:
1. Get your WSA Driver Licence (WDL)
Before registering for Amundsen Race, you must have a WDL number. (WDL numbers have no expiry date. So, if you have previously competed in a WSA dryland or sprint/mid-distance championship, you can use the same WDL number.)
No WDL number yet? Apply as soon as possible here: https://racedata.wsa-sleddog.com/generate-wdl
Your WDL number is required in the Amundsen Race entry form, so make sure you have received it before registration opens on 4 October.
Applying for a Swedish WDL number?
Swedish mushers:
Choose “Sweden – GripensDHK” in the WSA Member Association dropdown.
Foreign JFSHK members racing for JFSHK:
If you have the Swedish Green Card, are a member of Jämtlandsfjällens Slädhundklubb (JFSHK) and want to represent Sweden at the World Championship, choose “Sweden – JFSHK”.
Foreign JFSHK members, as well as Norwegian mushers, will receive their licence invoice directly from the WSA.

2. Register for Amundsen Race
Registration opens on 4 October 2026 at 12:00 CEST, when the official Amundsen Race entry form becomes active: https://www.amundsenrace.com/sign-up/
The Amundsen Race entry fee is paid directly to Amundsen Race, just as usual. The WSA licence fee is separate.

3. Get approval from your National WSA Federation
Your World Championship entry must also be approved by your country’s National WSA Member organisation. Please contact your national mushing federation and make sure your participation is confirmed by them.

Important reminder
Submitting the Amundsen Race entry form does not automatically confirm your place. Your name will appear on the official participant list only after the Amundsen Race entry fee has been received.

In short:
WDL first → Amundsen Race registration → National Federation approval
First day of entry: October 4th 2026.
—
Amundsen Race 2027
📍 Strömsund, Sweden
🏆 WSA World Championship Long Distance
📅 February 25–28, 2027
www.amundsenrace.com
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photos: @lifeofa_guy @jose_van_trijp_fotografie ...

From the Archives // 2026
Some trails are too long to walk alone.
Some trails are measured in kilometers . Others in trust.

Out there, no one does it alone. It’s the bond between musher and dogs, the friendship along the way and the handlers who support their teams before, during and after the race.

And behind it all are the volunteers — giving their time, energy and heart to make the Amundsen Race possible.

Different roles. Different moments. One shared journey.

That has always been a big part of the Amundsen Race.

See you on the trail.

First day of entry: October 4th 2026.

—

Amundsen Race 2027
📍 Strömsund, Sweden
🏆 WSA World Championship Long Distance
📅 February 25–28, 2027

www.amundsenrace.com

-------------------

photos: @photos_from_a_guy @lifeofa_guy ...

From the Archives // 2026
Long before the sled moves, the dogs already know.

The excitement.
The anticipation.
The familiar sounds of race morning.

For them, the trail begins before the first command is given.

Some memories never leave us.

The trail of the Amundsen Race is calling again.

🤍

See you on the trail.

First day of entry: October 4th 2026.

—

Amundsen Race 2027
📍 Strömsund, Sweden
🏆 WSA World Championship Long Distance
📅 February 25–28, 2027

www.amundsenrace.com

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photos: @jose_van_trijp_fotografie @jose_nuyts_vantrijp ...

From the Archives // 2026

Every race begins long before the countdown.

It starts with waking up early in the morning, driving to the stake out area, letting the dogs out and starting to prepare everything that needs to be done. In your own rhythm.

With harnesses laid out in the snow.
With careful hands checking every paw.
With volunteers, race officials and mushers coming together before the first kilometer has even been run.

Because before there is speed, there is preparation.
Before there is competition, there is care.

And then...

the trail calls once again.

🤍

See you on the trail.

—
February 25–28, 2027.
Amundsen Race 2027
📍 Strömsund, Sweden
🏆 WSA World Championship Long Distance
📅 February 25–28, 2027

www.amundsenrace.com

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photos: @lifeofa_guy @photos_from_a_guy @lagom_hemma ...

From the Archives // 2026
Some journeys never really end.

Long after the snow has melted, something stays with us.

It can be a place.
A short check-in with your team.
A moment in silence.
Some thoughts while preparing the next step.
A pair of eyes waiting to run again.

Perhaps that`s why winter never really leaves a musher. With summer slowly moving over to fall. And with that the longing for the cold mornings and evenings has arrived. The forming of a strong and balanced team for the season will start soon - or has started already. And then suddenly winter is right behind the corner. And we will be ready.

🤍

See you on the trail.

—

Amundsen Race 2027
📍 Strömsund, Sweden
🏆 WSA World Championship Long Distance
📅 February 25–28, 2027

www.amundsenrace.com

-------------------

photos: @lifeofa_guy @photos_from_a_guy ...

WHAT MUSHERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT AMUNDSEN RACE

Every musher arrives with a different story.

In this series, we let the mushers tell you—in their own words—what Amundsen Race has meant to them.

▶ Roberto Toscani: Sometimes, you come for a race…and find a home. 💙

"Gentile Team della Amundsen Race,

Volevo condividere con voi quanto sia stato significativo scegliere la Amundsen Race come prima gara in assoluto nel mio percorso verso le lunghe distanze. Non potrei esserne più grato: è stato un vero colpo di fulmine.

In questi tre anni ho conosciuto persone meravigliose e ho percepito una passione e un amore costante per questa disciplina e per i cani. Ho assistito a continui miglioramenti e a una grande voglia di mettersi in gioco, ammirando in particolare il coinvolgimento dei volontari e del pubblico.

Nonostante abbia partecipato finora a tre diverse competizioni di lunga distanza, la Amundsen Race rimane per me "casa": è stata il mio primo amore e la prima volta in cui ho tagliato il traguardo insieme ai miei cani.

Può sembrare un luogo comune, ma la mia vita è cambiata profondamente da allora. C`è una foto a cui sono molto affezionato che mi ritrae dopo l`arrivo: se seguite i miei profili social, sapete che preferisco dare priorità ai cani, ma in quello scatto la mia espressione racconta tutta l`emozione, la serenità e la commozione provate in quel momento indimenticabile.

La vita del musher è dura, piena di rinunce e faticosa, ma l`emozione che si vive percorrendo giorno dopo giorno tanti km con i propri compagni di viaggio è indescrivibile. Probabilmente senza la Amundsen Race sarei comunque diventato un musher di lunga distanza, ma non so se con lo stesso carico di emozioni.

Grazie di tutto.

Con affetto

Roberto Toscani"

(English in comments)

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👉🏻 Amundsen Race 2027
Feb 25 - Feb 28
WSA World Championship Long Distance

Strömsund Kommun - Sweden

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original photo: @lifeofa_guy @photos_from_a_guy

other photos: sent by musher ...

From the Archives // 2026
Some memories aren`t about the finish line.

Sometimes they`re a look...
a smile...
or a pair of beautiful eyes you`ll never forget.

These are the moments that stay with us. 🤍

👉🏻 Amundsen Race 2027
Feb 25 - Feb 28
WSA World Championship Long Distance

Strömsund Kommun - Sweden

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photos: @jose_van_trijp_fotografie, @lifeofa_guy @photos_from_a_guy @sabrina_moesker @sabrina_moesker_photography ...

From the archives // 2026

You all know what it feels like when the snow is gone, the dogs are on summer break, but you`re mentally slowly looking toward the next winter.

In this time we`d like to look back to last seasons, because the next adventure starts with the last memory. 🤍

👉🏻 Amundsen Race 2027
Feb 25 - Feb 28
WSA World Championship Long Distance

Strömsund Kommun - Sweden

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photos: @jose_van_trijp_fotografie, CP Västra-Ormsjö ...