Víctor Carrasco

At just 21 years old, he has dedicated much of his life to mushing, a sport not limited to winter as one might think, but practised on both snow and land. 

Mushing is an activity that creates a very special bond between the musher and the dog or dogs they work with: they are all part of the same team and must train and compete as one. The philosophy behind this practice is fascinating, and even more so is everything that lies behind each race: hours of training, effort, proper nutrition, and the deep camaraderie that unites mushers.

Y.- When did you decide to turn your hobby into your profession?
V.C.- When? Well, in Spain, we’re very lucky to have Pirena—thanks to it, some dreams can come true. I also made the leap once my dog Nukka was ready.

Y.- What motivated your preparation and eventual participation in Pirena 2011?
V.C.- Being the same age as Pirena: we were both born in 1990. But the main motivation was the chance to take part in a race I’d watched since childhood—competing in it was a dream come true.

Y.- What does a typical training day look like for Víctor Carrasco?
V.C.- A training day starts early to work in cold conditions—dogs perform much better in the cold. Depending on the session, I’ll bike or skate with them for about 20km. But it varies based on the training phase. It’s tougher than it seems; dogs need warm-ups and stretches too. Planning sessions and their diet is demanding. I have to consider not just my own preparation but theirs as well.

Y.- This sport has its advocates and critics, with some arguing it causes animal suffering. What does mushing mean to you?
V.C.- To me, it’s pure adrenaline. The dogs love it—they might feel race-day nerves, just like us before a competition, but it’s just excitement. They’re bred for this: selected for their sprint, energy, and speed. Ultimately, mushing is a bond between human and dog—speed and a connection that goes beyond racing.

Y.- You must see your dogs as more than just pets, right?
V.C.- Absolutely! They’re athletes, as I said earlier. Each has unique training and dietary needs—vitamins, portions, etc. To me, they’re teammates, even family. The bond between musher and dog is deeper than people imagine. It’s not just dogs pulling a sled—it’s a perfectly united team.

Y.- What’s the philosophy of this sport? And of a musher?
V.C.- The sport’s philosophy is treating dogs well and achieving perfect harmony between musher and dogs—without it, you can’t reach the top. It’s two worlds uniting as a team for success. A musher’s philosophy is maximising their team’s performance through daily care and hard work. Respect for nature, the dogs, and the team is key.

Y.- Can any dog breed participate, provided they meet weight requirements?
V.C.- Any dog can try, but not all are suited—the strongest or fastest isn’t always the best. Different mushing disciplines require different traits: distance, terrain, cold tolerance, etc.

Currently, there are two categories: open to all dogs (A), and Nordic breeds (NB). The open category includes all types, but the fastest—Alaskan huskies—are bred for this sport.

Y.- Is competition tough in mushing?
V.C.- Very. The travel, cold, and unseen challenges are relentless. Only mushers understand the pre-race, race-day, and post-race struggles—team (dog) issues, training, sponsorships, and funding.

It’s a beautiful sport for spectators, but reaching competitive levels takes immense effort.

Y.- What are Pirena’s entry requirements? Were they hard to meet?
V.C.- Basic requirements include being over 18 and paying the entry fee. PIRENA ADVANCED is open to all, but the real challenge is funding: sponsors for the 15-day race, fuel, food, gear, etc.

Preparing dogs takes years—we start planning for the next edition as soon as one ends. New team, etc.

Meeting requirements wasn’t hard, but logistics and sponsorships were. It’s not a cheap race. Training sessions were also tough to nail.

Y.- You compete in skijoring. Why this discipline?
V.C.- I chose it due to dog numbers: skijoring uses up to three dogs, while mushing is unlimited. As a 21-year-old student living at home, building a sled team is tough. But I prefer skijoring—skiing with one or two dogs deepens teamwork, and it’s more physically demanding. Perfect for my age and energy!

Y.- How far do you want to go?
V.C.- I aim for the top—in Nordic countries, skijoring is a national sport. Competing against champions from Norway, Sweden, or Finland would be a dream. Another goal is winning PIRENA ADVANCED—no Spaniard has ever won the skijoring category.

World Championships, Europeans, Spanish and Catalan titles, PIRENA... a long list I hope to complete someday.

Y.- What’s your takeaway from Pirena Advanced 2011?
V.C.- I learned a lot—improving my team, diet, etc. But the highlight was the friendships formed over 15 days. Veterans with decades of experience shared invaluable insights.

I’m proud to have finished our first PIRENA ADVANCED—our goal—and we’ll return next year with new challenges.

Y.- Advice for aspiring mushers?
V.C.- Research thoroughly before starting. Those with years in the sport can offer real guidance.

Mushing is a tight-knit world—hard to break into and master. Even top mushers keep learning new techniques, though some secrets stay guarded, as in any sport.

Decide what you want, get informed, then begin. As a friend once said: