The 51st annual Dog Derby at Queenstown’s Coronet Peak this Saturday could be described as a demonstration of the unspoken bond of master and dog.
However, ski area manager Nigel Kerr’s description is more succinct — "chaos".
Either way, Kerr, who’ll be on the course with his own dog, Oscar, says it’s one of his favourite days of the year.
"It’s a sporting event, but for most of the people taking part, it’s about spending time with your dog."
As usual, there’ll be a country race for farm working dogs and their humans, separate men’s and women’s races for town dogs, and the kids’ race for 7-13-year-olds.
The hooter’s going off at 12.30pm for the kids’ race, with the remaining categories starting at 10-minute intervals: women’s town race, men’s town race, and finally the country race at 1pm.
Kerr says entrants can register on the day, in a tent at the Greengates carpark from 10am, but urges people to register online, by 4pm tomorrow, as it’ll be busy on the mountain.
This year’s Bark Off is being hosted by Canyon Brewing, in Arthurs Point, from 3pm.
