Last updated 26.8.2025. Speeches, descriptions and times are subject to change. All speeches are held at Korundi Hall (and in English) unless otherwise noted. No dogs are allowed in the Korundi House of Culture.
Coffee and snacks for sale in Korundi Kitchen & Café (open on Sat 8.00-16.00 and on Sun 8.00-15.15). Lunch is served from 11.00 to 14.00 on both days. The price for lunch is 16.00 € per person per day.
Here you can find the lunch menus!
Friday, September 12th
16.00-18.00 / Korundi House of Culture
Tradefair set up and registration! Avoid the Saturday morning rush and change your ticket to event pass!
Saturday, September 13th
8.00 –
The registration opens! You can change your ticket to event pass till 12.00!
9.20 – 9.30
Symposium Crew whishes everyone welcome to the 2025 Arctic Circle Sled Dog Symposium!
9.30 – 10.30
Jose Luis Pedrero Bautista
His speech is about trigger points in sled dogs, what they are, how, why, when, where and for what purpose, part 1.
10.30 – 11.00
Mandatory break
11.00 – 12.00
Joni Hirsimäki
He enjoys spending time outdoors with his Samoyeds and learns from living and adventuring alongside them. He is going to share everyday experiences and insights into what life with this special breed is like in outdoor settings.
12.00 – 13.00
Mandatory lunch break
13.00 – 14.00
Jeff King
The speech begins with an introduction, where he shares his background and personal journey into breeding and sled dog sports.
The program then turns to a holistic approach to breeding, focusing on priorities, values, and lessons learned. Reflections will address how breeders can shape dogs that align with their ideals, as well as which traits matter most for working dogs to ensure both long-term performance and well-being.
14.00 – 14.15
Mandatory break
14.15 – 15.15
Stefan, Ilse & Zohra Donker – Team Tartok Speed
What began as a family dream in the Netherlands grew into successes at international snow championships. From a country where snow is rare, Stefan, Ilse, and Zohra Donker train their dogs into champions. In their speech, they offer a unique behind-the-scenes look at Team Tartok Speed: a story of family, perseverance, and building a world-class sprint team, part 1.
15.15 – 15.45
Mandatory break with complimentary coffee/tea
15.45 – 16.45
Håvard Okstad
He will talk about how he explores the courage to dream big, the power of long-term planning, and the determination required to reach ambitious goals. He believe that nothing is impossible, the impossible just takes a little longer, part 1.
16.45 – 17.00
Raffle prize ceremony
Sunday, September 14th
8.30 –
Doors are open!
9.00 – 10.00
Håvard Okstad
He will talk about how he explores the courage to dream big, the power of long-term planning, and the determination required to reach ambitious goals. He believe that nothing is impossible, the impossible just takes a little longer, part 2.
10.00 – 10.30
Mandatory break
10.30 – 11.30
Jane Helppi
Her speech offers a behind-the-scenes look at the handler’s role in sled dog races, from preparation and race day routines to post-event care. It also shares practical tips for new handlers, and the lessons learned along the way.
11.30 – 12.30
Mandatory lunch break
12.30 – 13.30
Stefan, Ilse & Zohra Donker – Team Tartok Speed
What began as a family dream in the Netherlands grew into successes at international snow championships. From a country where snow is rare, Stefan, Ilse, and Zohra Donker train their dogs into champions. In their speech, they offer a unique behind-the-scenes look at Team Tartok Speed: a story of family, perseverance, and building a world-class sprint team, part 2.
13.30 – 13.45
Mandatory break
13.45 – 14.45
Jose Luis Pedrero Bautista
His speech is about trigger points in sled dogs, what they are, how, why, when, where and for what purpose, part 2.
14.45 – 15.15
Mandatory break with complimentary coffee/tea
15.15 – 16.15
Jeff King
The second day’s speech explores the sled dog scene, its past, present, and possible future directions. Attention will be given to cultural and practical differences between American and European or Scandinavian traditions, with examples from breeding, training, and racing.
The program closes with a motivational talk based on personal race experiences, offering insights into mindset, preparation, and resilience to inspire participants on the second race day.
16.15 –
Time to say bye bye!