2003 World Agility Championships
September 26-28, 2003 - Lievin, France
AKC World Team Leaves For France - September 19, 2003

Team Captain Sharon Anderson writes:

The 2003 AKC/USA World Team is gearing up for the long flight to France from two locations, Atlanta and New York on Sunday, September 21. The departures from two locations allow all the small dogs to ride inside the cabin. There will be a total of 71 Americans in Lieven, France. A number of them have already left and are touring before they reach the competition. Others are staying longer and will visit Paris.

The first opportunity for the dogs to stretch their legs over jumps will be Wednesday at a carpeted arena that the French team has provided and invited the USA to join them in practice. Coach Dan Dege will work out the teams' kinks and prepare them for the three day event. The cooperation has been great between the countries to make this a wonderful trip for all.

Thursday, September 26 will be the practice at the trial site as well as the captains' meeting. The captains' meeting provides the last opportunity to submit your running order. Then the judges are introduced and give you the rhythm of their table count, which is usually in English. This is also the time they explain any new rules of the event, in three languages, English, French, German. Luckily we will have a French speaking supporter with us to make sure all information translates correctly.