Kicking paws, straight lines and loud barking fill a forest near Eindhoven. Among the impressive sporting dogs is 9-year-old Zohra Donkers from Veldhoven. While her peers go to ballet or hockey, she trains sled dogs. This time in the Dutch snow.
Small in stature, but big in dreams: “I want to become world champion,” she says with full conviction.
Zohra literally grows up among dogs, but these are not normal pets. “These are sled dogs,” she explains to NOS as she grabs a harness.
They are not classic Huskies, but a mix of different breeds, mainly hunting dogs, specially bred for strength and speed in sled dog sports.
What is sled dog racing?
Sled dog racing is a sport in which trained dogs pull a sled or cart. The dogs are led by a driver, the musher, and must combine their speed, strength and endurance to complete the course as quickly as possible.
”They are real athletes”
She knows exactly who is who: “Kopekkie, Beno, Chavonelle, Hindley, Carapaz, Jees, Koes and Axelie,” she says effortlessly. The names are no coincidence, because they are named after cyclists. “That’s because these dogs are also real athletes,” she adds.
That’s not an exaggeration. Sled dog racing is top sport. “During competitions, teams complete courses of 14 to 16 kilometers for several days in a row. Everything revolves around speed, endurance and tactics,” father Stefan explains.
“The smartest are at the front, the strongest at the back.”
A team is carefully built up. The guide dogs lead the way. “They have to be smart and know the commands,” says Zohra. “They have to take the team with them. They are often females,” she says, laughing. At the back are the strong men who provide the power. Zohra helps out a lot: exerting effort, attaching lines, positioning dogs.
“You have to have confidence in the dogs.”
The driver hardly makes any adjustments. Because you are behind the dogs, you cannot push them in any direction. “You have to have confidence,” Zohra explains. “The dogs have to listen to you.” At speeds of 34 to 35 kilometers per hour, with peaks up to 42, that confidence is crucial.
“We’re in this together.”
The successes are great: twice European champion, once second in the world. Yet for the family it is about more than winning. “We do this together,” says Zohra. “That makes it fun.”
At home, Zohra combines her sports with school. “I get eight weeks of vacation and then I choose when I take online classes,” she says. This way she can go to competitions in Norway and Scandinavia without having to do her schoolwork.
Her dream? It’s clear. “I want to become world champion when I grow up.” And she is convinced that if she continues to train hard, she will one day succeed.
