400 huskies compete in Baltic Lights dogsled race
Germany's annual winter dogsled race is taking place in the Baltic town of Kaiserbäder on the island of Usedom. Several top celebrities turned out for the beach event's first day, in aid of the charity Welthungerhilfe.
Where's the snow?
Most husky races are organized on the snowy plains of the Arctic or North America. But on the northern German-Polish island of Usedom, around 400 dogs are taking part in a charity run this weekend, along the beach at Heringsdorf.
Celebrities pulled from pier to pier
The Baltic Lights races are being run between the piers at Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck. On Saturday, several German celebrities, including actress Ulrike Folkerts, gave their support, and were pulled by four huskies for one of the runs.
Huskies, malamutes and samoyed breeds
Some 50 husky owner/trainers — known as mushers — from all over the world have entered their dogs for the two-day event, which hopes to raise thousands of euros for the German aid agency, Welthungerhilfe.
Best in class huskies worth up to €8,000
Alaskan huskies are valued for their speed and endurance, and are often called upon to sprint distances of up to 48-kilometer (30 mile) daily, averaging 31 kilometers-per-hour (19 miles-per-hour). In comparison, Saturday's 6-kilometer event was a walk in the park.