CANTERBURY SLED DOG CLUB
Winter Solstice 2026
6th and 7th June 2026
Sanctioning Approved
Chaney's Forest, Christchurch
The Canterbury Sled Dog Club is proud to announce the Winter Solstice 2026 dryland race weekend.
The Winter Solstice will be a double-sanctioned NZFSS event
Entry cut off Midnight Sunday 24th May 2026
LOCATION
Chaney's Forest
Spencerville Road, Christchurch
SPONSORS
Please support our generous sponsors:
Key Sponsor
CopRice
Available at Farmlands stores nationwide
.jpg)
CLASSES
*Veterans classes are run together. Junior classes must be run on either a Rig or Scooter.
Distances are Approximate and subject to change, Sunday trails may differ from Saturday trails by 100m
CANINE COUGH
Please be aware there are some recent reports of this being active within the South Island
It spreads through close contact — sniffing, coughing, and sharing bowls, be cautious.
For guidance on NZFSS rules, view PART I.A.4
SCHEDULE
Friday 5th June
5:00pm Remote bib draw (attendance optional) Location: TBA
Saturday 6th June
6:30am Chaney's Forest Gate Open and optional Trail Viewing
6:30am Vehicle Check - Those without CSDC vehicle permits will be issued permits from this time onwards
7.00am Chaney's Forest Gate Locked, please collect bibs and musher packs before the mushers meeting
7.10am Mushers meeting
7:45am Races start, race order as follows; (times approx)
7:45am Rig Race (6, 4, 3 and 2 dog) †
8:35am Single Dog Scooter
9:15am Two Dog Scooter
09:55am Single Dog Bikejor
10:30am Veteran Scooter, Veteran Bikejor †
11:00am Juniors Advanced §
11:20am Caniwaddle
11:45am Junior Beginner §
12 Noon Prize Giving, lunch, bib draw for day 2 racing. Location: Belfast Pony Club, 29 Spencerville Road
† run consecutively
§ may run immediately following or at the same time as another class if Junior Musher/Parent is not entered in Veterans/Caniwaddle
Sunday 7th June
6:30am Chaney's Forest Gate Open and Vehicle Check
7.00am Chaney's Forest Gate Locked
7:30am Races start, race order as follows; (times approx)
7:30am Rig Race (6, 4, 3 and 2 dog) †
8:20am Single Dog Scooter
9:00am Two Dog Scooter
9:40am Single Dog BikeJor
10:15am Canicross
10:45am Veteran Scooter, Veteran Bikejor †
11:15am Junior Advanced §
11:35am Junior Beginner §
12 Noon Day 2 Prize Giving. Location: The Peg Tavern, 899 Main North Road, Belfast.
† run consecutively
§ may run immediately following or at the same time as another class if Junior Musher/Parent is not entered in Veterans
BIB DRAW & MUSHERS MEETING
The Bib Draw for Day 1 will be a remote bib draw, bibs need to be collected along with musher packs on Saturday morning before the race. These will be located on the table under the marquee.
Bib draw for Day 2 will be conducted at the compulsory mushers meeting
Day 1 Remote bib draw - musher attendance optional
Day 2 Saturday 6th June 2026 after racing is completed
ENTRY
Entry cut off Midnight Sunday 24th May
Late entries Midnight Monday 1st June
Late entries will incur a $15 fee
Club membership forms are available here
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Rig Team Size
Due to rule changes coming into effect last year, the maximum and minimum rig team sizes are now:
Dog Age
All dogs must be:
-
12 months or older to compete in rig and scooter races.
-
18 months or older to compete in bikejor and canicross races.
Musher Age
Mushers must be:
-
16 years or older to compete in bikejor.