Bronze Medal to Finland from Agility World Championships
Jouni Orenius with Border Collie Yoko took the bronze medal in the Large class individual competition in the Agility World Championships arranged by the Finnish Kennel Club on 26. to 28.9.2008. Marcus Topps with Border Collie Juice of USA took gold, and Jan Egil Eide with Belgian Shepherd Dog Cirkus of Norway took silver.
World Champions in the Medium class individual competition last year, Swiss Anton Zürcher with Border Collie Witch now improved to win the gold medal. Stephanie Tiemann with Manchester Terrier Chilly of Germany were second, and Svetlana Tumanova with Shetland Sheepdog Tory of Russia were third.
The best Finn in the Medium class individual competition was Rauno Virta with Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Leija, ranking 19th. Sami Oksa with Kooikerhondje Luka were on the final course in the individual competition, but ranked 34th. Jari Suomalainen with Kooikerhondje Frodo were disqualified on the second course, as Frodo scurried into the tube instead of the long jump obstacle.
The Small class individual World Champions are Marcy Mantell with Shetland Sheepdog Wave of USA. The second are Martin Eberle with Miniature Poodle Pebbles of Switzerland, and third are Åsa Söderman with Shetland Sheepdog Erik of Sweden. Finnish Janne Karstunen with Border Terrier Toffe ranked nicely sixth in the Smalls, and Anna Ström with Shetland Sheepdog Elli were seventh. Päivi Männistö with Swedish Vallhund Leila ranked 30th.
Team Championships in both Large and Small Class to Brazil
Brazilian Large and Small dogs became Team World Champions in agility. The swift performances of dogs and handlers gave the Brazilian teams top ranks on both courses. Italy topped the Medium
class after the first course, but dropped to be fourth after the second course, while France rose to victory from the third place. The Finns were not successful in the team race, but remained at the rear in all classes.
Cheerful Atmosphere
More than 14,000 spectators watched the Agility World Championships in Helsinki Ice Hall. The colourful and positive audience created a cheerful atmosphere in the World Championships. A total of 315 dogs and handlers from 34 countries attended. The judges were Allan Hansen and Anne Savioja. World Championships in Agility will take place in Austria next year.
For further information:
Information officer Elina Kelola, Kennelliitto, tel. +358 9 8873 0296, +358 50 366 4809
28.9.2008
A Press Centre and Press Stand are reserved for journalists. An area will be arranged beside the competition field for photographers. Use of flashlight is prohibited in this area and other places at the field level. Flashlight can only be used in the spectator stand. Press passes are for personal use and require a valid press card.
Competitors from over 30 countries in the Agility World Championships
The Finnish Kennel Club is arranging The Agility World Championships in Helsinki Ice Hall on 26th through 28th September 2008. Handlers and dogs from 34 countries have registered. Those who travel longest are coming from such countries as Mexico, USA, Japan, Uruguay and Argentina. A total of about 320 handlers and dogs are attending.
The atmosphere in Helsinki Ice Hall will be highly international during the World Championships. There will also be competitors from several European countries such as Austria, Hungary, Germany, Sweden, and Spain.
Agility is nice to watch Agility is an excellent spectator event which provides an exciting and astounding show. Watching the performances and cheering to our own favourites will certainly create a tremendous excitement during the three days in Helsinki Ice Hall.
In agility, dogs are divided into three size classes on the basis of their height at the withers: small, medium, and large. The agility course contains various obstacles which a dog should perform without mistake and in the correct order within the ideal time. A successful performance combines correct rhythm, commands, and excellent physical condition of both handler and dog.
Tickets via Internet or at the door
The Agility World Championships begin at 8 AM each day. Tickets to the event are sold in the Internet at
www.parhaattapahtumat.fi. Tickets are available via the Internet only before the event. You can also buy a ticket at the door during the event.
For further information, please contact: Communications officer Elina Kelola, Finnish Kennel Club, tel. +358 9 8873 0296, +358 50 366 4809
The Finnish Kennelclub organizes Agility World Championships on 26th to 28th September
The Finnish Kennelclub organizes Agility World Championships in Helsinki Ice Hall on 26th to 28th September 2008. The three-day competition will be attended by participants from about 40 countries. Patroness of the event will be Minister of Justice Tuija Brax. The judges for this competition will be Anne Savioja from Finland and Allan Hansen from Denmark.
The Agility World Championships start with the opening ceremony of Friday 26th September at 8 AM. A new feature in the Championships in Finland is that world championships will be settled each day of the event. On Friday, we will find out which team wins the large dogs’ world championship after competing on both the jump and agility courses. On Friday medium and small teams will compete on the jump course.
Saturday will see the small, medium, and large class individual competition on the jump course. Also, the world championship of small and medium dogs will be settled when the dogs have competed on all the courses. The Sunday competitions will be the small, medium, and large class individual world championships. The competitions start at 8 AM on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets to the Agility World Championships are sold starting 1st April Tickets to the event are sold in the Internet starting on Tuesday 1st April at www.parhaattapahtumat.fi. Tickets are only sold via the Internet before the event. You can also buy tickets at the door during the event.
Ticket prices
Adults:
3-day ticket (Fri-Sun) 30 €
2-day ticket (Sat-Sun) 25 €
Friday ticket 10 €
Saturday ticket 15 €
Sunday ticket 20 €
Children, 4 to 12 years:
3-day ticket (Fri-Sun) 15 €
2-day ticket (Sat-Sun) 12 €
Friday ticket 5 €
Saturday ticket 10 €
Sunday ticket 10 €
For further information, please contact: Head of Public Relations and the Press, Kaija Unhola, tel. +358 (0)9 8873 0292, +358 (0)50 432 0844
Information Officer Elina Kelola, tel. +358 (0)9 8873 0296, +358 (0)50 366 4809