The first joint IFSS and WSA World Championships are now scheduled for 2022 ©Ramundberget 2022

The first-ever joint International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) and World Sleddog Association (WSA) World Championships have been moved from 2021 to 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The event had been scheduled to take place in March of this year, but was cancelled because of the global health crisis meaning many competitors would be unable to take part.

While exact dates have not yet been determined, the IFSS and WSA have now agreed to stage it in March 2022 in the same locations - Särna, Ramundberget and Åsarna - in central Sweden.

Skidog, sled sprint, mid-distance and long-distance classes are set to be contested at the World Championships.

"COVID-19 put a stop to our plans for 2021, but we promise that we are now fully focused on delivering even greater Championships in 2022," World Championships project manager Niklas Andersson said.

Organisers hope that the health situation will have improved by March 2022, with exact dates yet to be determined ©Getty Images
Organisers hope that the health situation will have improved by March 2022, with exact dates yet to be determined ©Getty Images

"If you thought that the Championships in 2018 in Sveg were great, expect to be blown away by the World Championships in 2022! 

"The village of Ramundberget is one of the most beautiful and snow safe areas in Sweden. 

"An outpost literally at the end of the road and the gateway to the unpaved backcountry."

The IFSS has been a Global Association of International Sports Federations member since 1989 - a year after it was found.

The WSA was founded in 1995, after some federations grew disenchanted with the International Federation of Dog Sledding Sports so formed a new organisation.

Both the WSA and IFSS have staged their own World Championships in recent years, with the 2022 event marking their first joint World Championships.