Sussex man defends sled dog title for third time

A man from Sussex is set to defend his world sled dog racing title for the third consecutive time.

Matt Hodgson, from Heathfield, is taking part in the four-dog class in Östersund in Sweden on Friday aiming for his seventh world title.

He became the UK's first ever on-snow world champion in 2023.

Mr Hodgson said sled dog racing "brings people together from all over the world who share a passion for these amazing dogs".

Mr Hodgson is one of only 10 competitors from the UK taking part in the event.

He told BBC Radio Sussex: "It's going to be tough.

"There are some very strong Norwegian competitors who get a lot more snow to practice on than I do in Sussex."

He added: "I've always had a love of arctic dogs, ever since as a boy reading books such as The Call of the Wild by Jack London.

"Just over 20 years ago I attended my first sled dog race in the New Forest and shortly afterwards acquired my first sled dog, an Alaskan Malamute I called Ranger."

More than 150 competitors from 22 countries plus 1,000 sled dogs are set to compete over three days.

Mr Hodgson said: "Having dogs as your team mates creates a super special bond.

"You have to not only be their trainer, you're their psychologist, nutritionist, team mate and manager.

As a purely amateur sport, there is no prize money involved.

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