The 25^th World Championships in the canine sport discipline IPO will be held in Switzerland again for the first time in 15 years from 10 - 13 September. Around 130 entrants from 30 countries are expected to attend in Delémont in the Autumn. Organising Committee Chairman Hans Peter Reich talks about the mountain of administrative work, as well as good tracking grounds and his medal favourites.

Ursula Känel Kocher

Mr Reich, did you attend the IPO World Championships in Baar 15 years ago? If so, can you remember who won?

Yes, I was there as a spectator. The winner was Knut Fuchs from Germany; Arsiero Verrengia from Switzerland was awarded the bronze medal. I have been to the World Championships every year since 2007; five times in the capacity of team leader and three times as a spectator.

So you know what is in store for you and your team. In 2008, you were on the organising committee of the Swiss Championships for all breeds in Burgdorf. Are the events comparable?

The administrative preparations for a World Championship event are much more complex. New information has to be posted on the website constantly, all the forms and announcements and hotel recommendations have to be translated into several languages and all sorts of questions have to be answered. We are expecting around 130 entrants in Delémont from more than 30 countries, also from overseas.

Why Delémont?

At a World Championship event, it is important that all the competitors are presented with the same conditions on the tracking terrain. In the Swiss Mittelland region, this is simply not possible in terms of the dimensions involved. In the Jura region, on the other hand, the conditions are ideal, with large grassland areas that we are allowed to use.

That means it is the tracking conditions that decide where a World Championship event is held?

You could say that. I cannot accept the argument expressed by various people that Delémont is «at the end of the world»! The Jura region is an ideal location – for participants from Germany, France, Austria and Italy. Delémont also has a good highway link and those responsible in the city have shown themselves to be very hospitable. And last but not least, the Swiss Championships have already been held there on several occasions, so the infrastructure and the terrain have already proven themselves.

The obedience and protection disciplines will take place in the «La Blancherie» arena. Have the order of events and the programme been finalised yet?

More or less. The start numbers will be drawn on the Wednesday evening, with competitions taking place from Thursday to Saturday, with each competitor having to demonstrate a maximum of one discipline per day. The official gala evening with invited guests is scheduled for the Saturday evening; the results will then be announced on the Sunday afternoon following the final trials.

What is the situation with the judges and those helping in the protection discipline?

The judges are specified by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. According to the rules and regulations, these may not be Swiss. Those helping in the protection discipline are selected by the Technical Commission for Utility and Sports Dogs. It is the Commission’s declared objective to send Swiss protection discipline assistants to the World Championships. For this reason, an initial viewing was organised back in the spring of last year. In two weeks, on 31 January, those interested in helping in the protection discipline will be invited to trial training again and will be examined. The decision on which two will be used at the World Championships and which two will travel as substitutes is expected to be made in early summer.

A World Championship event costs a lot of money. What is the situation with the finances?

Not too bad up to now, but we are still looking for sponsors. The times when the banks would simply cough up 20,000 francs as sponsorship donations are long gone. With Ueli and Ruth Lu-ginbühl from «HappyDog» we already have our Gold Sponsor; Werner Wachter from «Dogger» is providing our team of around 50 helpers with clothing. Initial inquiries have also been received for commercial stands. The Swiss canine organisation also provides generous support for the World Championships, donating trophies and winners’ prizes.

The SKS has issued a code of ethics calling for the fair and correct handling of dogs. How can you ensure that the animal welfare and protection aspects will be observed at the World Championships?

I assume in any case that the code of honour of the Swiss national team will be followed and embodied. We, from the organising committee, and all the helpers will be required on site – also in the training areas we provide for the entrants – to ensure that the Swiss animal welfare rules and regulations are complied with and monitored. Any transgressions will be punished and lead to automatic disqualification. A special supervisor will be appointed in this regard. According to the FCI specifications, we are obliged, as organiser of the World Championships, to provide a veterinarian and a judge to monitor temperament for the entire duration of the competitions. With Erika Gitterle, we have somebody who meets both criteria.

It has not yet been decided which Swiss sports(wo)men will enter the arena in Delémont. Who are the hopefuls?

All of those who produce good performances over the three qualifying tournaments. The first qualifying round took place during last year’s SKG Swiss Championships. The teams will have their second chance in Autigny on 14/15 March; the third and final qualifying round is scheduled for 27 June. This would ideally be held in Delémont – it makes sense to exploit the home advantage when we have one!

Concerning home advantage: how do you rate the chances of the Swiss winning medals?

Up to now, the best Swiss competitors have been able to finish in the top third internationally. Germany and Austria are very strong, though countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic have been closing the gap. What could benefit the Swiss are the tracking grounds: in many countries, there is no grassland for tracking, only fields. It is not easy for dogs to make the switch. The home advantage could play in our favour here – but the protection and obedience disciplines then also have to be up to the mark, of course. The home advantage alone cannot ensure a World Championship title!