Dear all,

I am very pleased to announce that IFSS members voted yes and thus approve the upgrade of AFSS Austrian Federation of Sleddog Sports from Provisional membership to a Voting National Member.
IFSS Membership Committee has also reviewed and supports the application from AFSS.

Welcome to AFSS Austrian Federation of Sleddog Sports as a Voting National Member of IFSS!

Sincerely
Helen Lundberg
IFSS President

IFSS Clarification on the DR2J (2-Dog Junior Rig) Class

The IFSS Vice President of Sport and Vice President of Development, in consultation with the Youth Committee, would like to provide members with an important update and clarification regarding the newly introduced DR2J (2-Dog Junior Rig) class.

Why was the DR2J class introduced?
The DR2J class was proposed and supported by the Youth Committee as an additional development pathway for young athletes. The objective is to provide junior competitors with an opportunity to gain valuable race experience, develop handling skills, and build confidence before progressing to larger dog teams and more advanced rig classes.
This class is intended to serve as a stepping stone for younger athletes who may not yet feel ready to move directly into 4-dog rig competition, while still allowing them to actively participate and develop within the sport.

The DR2J class will be open to athletes aged 14 to 16 years.

Equipment Requirements for 2026 Continental Championships
Following further discussions between the IFSS VP Sport, VP Development, the Youth Committee, it has been agreed that:
DR2J competitors will compete using a 3-wheeled rig at all Championships.
This decision provides a consistent approach across all regions and reflects the original purpose of the class as a development category for younger athletes. The use of a 3-wheeled rig offers an accessible and practical transition for junior competitors while maintaining a strong focus on safety and athlete progression.

Safety Remains the Priority
The introduction of the DR2J class has generated valuable discussion within our community, and we appreciate the feedback received from athletes, parents, coaches, and member federations.
As with all IFSS youth initiatives, athlete safety remains our highest priority. The flexibility provided to RGOs for this initial phase is intended to ensure that the class can be introduced safely while allowing organisers to make decisions based on their specific championship environments.

Future Rule Development
IFSS already published the race rules, including new rules for DR2J.

Looking Ahead
The DR2J class represents another step in IFSS's ongoing commitment to supporting youth development and creating safe, progressive opportunities for young athletes to grow within our sport.
We thank all members for their constructive feedback and continued support. We look forward to seeing our young competitors embrace this new opportunity and wish all athletes the very best at the upcoming Continental Championships.


IFSS Vice President Sport
IFSS Vice President Development
In cooperation with the IFSS Youth Committee

World Cup Certificates Are Ready for Download!

Every mile, every training session, and every ounce of effort has led to this. To celebrate your incredible journey and achievements, the IFSS is thrilled to announce that World Cup Certificates are now available for download!
Head over to the DID login page at DID Holder Login to download your certificate and commemorate your place among the world's best.
Federations: Help us celebrate our athletes! Please spread the word and ensure your competitors know how to access their well-deserved certificates.

Congratulations

Konrad Jakob
IFSS VP Sport

The IFSS General Assembly 2026 has approved an update to the athlete quotas for Championships.
Voting Members may now nominate five (5) athletes, and Provisional Members two (2) in each class.
This adjustment reflects the growth of our sport and supports stronger, more competitive classes while reducing the need for extra-slot requests.
IFSS is currently in discussion with the organizers of the upcoming Dryland European Championship and European Masters in Gävle, Sweden regarding the possibility of applying this rule already for this event.

Regards
Alena Zbozínková
Continental Director Europe