Two big sled dog events were held the weekend of September 22-23rd in Italy this Fall. The events were held in the wonderful natural amphitheatre of the Fusine Lakes Plains, at the foot of Mount Mangart. This is also the same area where the European Sprint Championships of 2006 were held. That event and the races and trade fair this year were organized by the International Mushing School (IMS) and the Italian Musher Sleddog Sport Federation (FIMSS). The IMS is managed by Ararad and Monica Khatchikian. Hundreds of school students, teachers and visitors attended the Saturday’s trade fair and meeting and also had the chance to drive sleds pulled by four wheelers on the green fields surrounding the area. More than 60 teams entered Sunday’s dryland race, competing on the perfectly prepared 4 and 2 km trails of the Fusine Plains. All the previous trail records were smashed. The next big event will be the annual World Cup Sleddog Sprint Race organized by Ararad and Monica Khatchikian in the same area, the first weekend of February 2008. For more information on the numerous sporting and recreational activities offered on the Fusine Plains by the International Mushing School, contact Ararad Khatchikian at Via Verdi 21, 33018 Tarvisio–Fusine (UD) Italy. www.ararad.net ararad@ararad.net