AVORIAZ, France (AFP) — Crowds gathered in the French ski resort of Avoriaz Sunday to watch 21 sled dog teams and their mushers kick off "La Grande Odyssee 2008", a two-week race through the French and Swiss Alps.
Almost 300 dogs in teams from nine countries are taking part in this year's race, considered on a par with Alaska's Iditarod sled dog race and a major test of technique and endurance.
It covers over 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) of tracks through the Savoie-Mont-Blanc region, passing through 20 French resorts and four Swiss ones in altitudes that vary by up to 25,000 metres (80,000 feet).
"It's a physical test of endurance. Often, the musher has to run alongside his dog team when going uphill," said French explorer Nicolas Vanier, the organiser of the race, which is this year in its fourth edition.
"Specific preparation is required to be competitive on this race," added Emil Inauen, 35, a Swiss mountaineer and musher who began training for Le Grande Odysee in August.
Third-time American contender Timothy Hunt, 42, said he spent all summer training his dogs in a swimming pool, where they had to swim against a current. In the autumn, they switched to running up to 70 kilometres a day.
"I have never taken part in a race as difficult as this one," added Hunt, who came in third place here in 2006.
The dogs run an average of 60 kilometres a day during the competition, burning up to 3,500 calories daily. Injuries are not uncommon, and their mushers are required to have a team of 14 dogs, with six working at any one time.
Race organisers praised the good conditions Sunday, a far cry from last year when a lack of snow caused much of the course to be shut.
Prize money worth a total of 100,000 dollars (68,000 euros) is up for grabs.
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