Marte Eirin Solhaug I Pulka and combined explained

In this episode of the Unleashed podcast, we talk with World Champion in pulka and combined, Marte Eirin Solhaug. Answering questions: - What is Nordic style and pulka? - How did it start? What is the history behind it? - How do dogs react to pulling such a heavyweight? - Why is it that they are using this shaft in the pulka? - What do you feel is the difference compared to skijoring? - Is there anything you have to pay more attention to when you’re doing the pulka compared to other categories? - When you start training, do you use the 70% weight in the pulka, or do you train with lighter weights? - Why do you think people who can do Nordic skiing or skijoring should start pulka? Why should they try it out? - Are the dogs going gallop the full way, or can they trot? - When can they start to train their dog with it? - Is there anything to keep in mind in the first sessions? And many more pro tips!

Blanka

Welcome to another episode of our Unleashed podcast. Today, I'm here with Marte Eirin Solhaug - the World champion in Pulka and combined. Welcome.

Marte

Thank you.

Blanka

And today, we will talk about pulka. I think many of our listeners might not know what that is. So could you please tell me a bit more about Nordic style and pulka? What is it?

Marte

A Nordic style is basically cross-country skiing with either 1 or 2 dogs. You can go either with just a bungee leash, which is skijoring, or you can go pulka, and then you have the pulka with 70% of the dog's weight and a shaft.

Blanka

So then the dog is attached to the shaft. You have this like pulka between you two. And you're attached to the pulka with a bungee leash?

Marte

Yes. So you’re attached a bit more behind than in skijoring.

Blanka

How did it start? This whole Pulka sport might be very new to a lot of people, and I'm even a bit unsure. What is the history behind it?

Marte

The history is for just delivering, in the older days. They used dogs and pulkas to deliver a lot of things.

Blanka

I see, here in Norway and in Scandinavia, it’s still pretty common outside of competition to actually use the dogs to, like, carry equipment out into the wilderness. So, you can probably bring a lot more weight than just, like, put in your backpack while skiing. But, in competition, you use race pulkas, so you cannot really pack things into them. But you mentioned that you use 70% of the dog's weight.

Marte

Yes.

Blanka

That is, that is quite some weight. How do dogs react to pulling, like, such a heavyweight?

Marte

It's a bit more heavy than normal. They have to get used to having a bit more heavy weight. And also, it's more important to be a good skier behind because you have to help them more.

Blanka

Most sled dog sports attach the dog with a bungee. Why is it that in the pulka they are using this shaft?

Marte

It’s stiff, so it’s more safe as well because the pulka can’t go forward to the dog since it’s attached to this shaft.

Blanka

So the distance between the dog and the pulka is always the same. It cannot crash into the dog?

Marte

No, it cannot crash into it. And it’s also more stable for the dog to run with this shaft because they are attached to the harness and on the sides, so it just feels more stable.

Blanka

You like pulka maybe even more than skijoring. Why? Why do you like Pulka? What do you feel is the difference compared to skijoring?

Marte

It's just amazing to feel this cooperation with the dog. When you are racing Pulka, it’s like floating really well. And you have to have this really special bond with the dog because you’re not able to just steer the dog in the right direction. Also, you have to be even better on the skis when you go with pulka.

Blanka

I can really see that point because when I ski with my dogs alone, I am not a good skier. And they are strong dogs. So I’m pretty much just hanging there, probably breaking for my life. But, in pulka, in my case, since I’m not the best, the speed is a little bit lower. And I have to work more. The dog is obviously also helping, but it’s pulling more the pulka than the human.

Marte

Yes. It’s challenging for the dog if you’re not a good skier. But also, the speed should be quite high. You need actually a bit of fast dogs in the Pulka races as well.

Blanka

Is there anything you have to pay more attention to when you’re doing the pulka compared to other categories?

Marte

Yes. You have to really look forward in the slopes because you have to be aware of the turnings and be prepared if it’s a very steep turn. For example, you need to help steer the pulka so it doesn’t turn over. That can be really scary for the dog if it turns over. Also, if you make the wrong turn, it takes a long to turn around. So you really need to be ahead of your dog. You can’t always trust their left and right commands 100%. Some dogs maybe, but you should also help them with the steering. Maybe sometimes go in front as well to help the dog if you’re not completely sure.

Blanka

Also, I see that even though the pulka cannot crash into the dog when people are competing with the pulka or going fast with the pulka, I see them braking a lot, especially on the downhills. Why is that?

Marte

It’s to make sure the dog doesn’t get scared because it’s a new sound. And they can feel that they have something behind them. Also, the shaft is going a bit over the head as well. To make sure that the pulka will never go faster than the dog because then it will kind of push the dog forward. And that’s not a good feeling for the dog. So it’s very important for them to feel safe and comfortable.

Blanka

When you start training, do you use the 70% weight in the pulka, or do you train with lighter weights?

Marte

I train them mostly with a bit lighter weight. But sometimes, I take the competition one also.

Blanka

When you start, do you put weight in the pulka, or can you just start without any weight in the pulka just to get used to the equipment?

Marte

You should have a bit of weight because if it’s too light, it’s more bouncy and harder to steer. So it should be a bit of weight in.

Blanka

Why do you think people who can do Nordic skiing or skijoring should start Pulka? Why should they try it out?

Marte

I think it’s a really fun part that it’s very challenging. But when you first get this feeling with their cooperation and just flowing behind the dogs, it’s just such a nice feeling. For the dogs, as well. So it’s fun for both you and the dog.

Blanka

I’ve seen pulka in a lot of long distances. Are the dogs going gallop the full way, or can they trot? Because there are competitions with 30km or even longer.

Marte

There are a few competitions that are 24km for females and 30km for males. But mostly, it’s 10 to 15km. In those races, the speed is quite high. In the longer races, you can take a break during the race and give them some fuel.

Blanka

If someone gets interested in trying Pulka, when can they start to train their dog with it? Since it’s a bit bigger weight, maybe they have to wait longer?

Marte

It should wait a little bit and make sure that they are 100% safe in the normal category. Like they are really eager to pull. And if they have that, then you can introduce it and make sure that they’re just ready for it and fit enough for it.

Blanka

Is there anything to keep in mind in the first sessions?

Marte

Just make sure you will not have some obstacles. Like maybe go early in the morning or late in the night so you don’t meet people. In the beginning, you shouldn’t mind too much if the dog is running on the left side or something like that. Make sure the trails are quite empty so nothing bad can happen. So it’s a positive experience.

Blanka

If you could tell people one tip about pulka, what would it be?

Marte

Make sure to have the same routines as you do in skijoring and make sure it will be a very nice experience. Just take everything into consideration and be one step in front of the dog.

Blanka

Thank you so much for your tips and for telling us more about pulka. As I mentioned, it’s probably new to many of our listeners. So I think they learned some very interesting new information today. Thank you.

Marte

Thanks for having me.