Royal Canin Partners with La Grande Odyssée, Europe’s Premier Dog Sled Race
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Annecy, France – September 12, 2025 – La Grande Odyssée, Europe’s most prestigious international dog sled race, has announced a new partnership with Royal Canin, a global leader in pet nutrition. The collaboration, revealed this Tuesday, underscores a shared commitment to canine health and performance through tailored nutrition. The 22nd edition of the race is scheduled to take place from January 10-22, 2026, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.
the partnership stems from a mutual belief in the critical link between nutrition and a dog’s ability to thrive. Cédric Malié, Managing Director of Royal Canin France, stated, “The conviction that dogs’ performance and health are based on nutrition adapted to their physiology” https://www.royalcanin.com/. This shared ideology will be central to the collaboration.
Annabel Kam,Director of Growth at Ebra Sports (the organizing body for La Grande Odyssée),expressed her enthusiasm,stating she was “notably happy to be able to associate with the great Odyssey such a strong brand in the world of animal health.” She emphasized the partnership’s potential to reach France’s nearly 10 million dog owners https://www.statista.com/statistics/318886/number-of-dogs-in-france/ while maintaining the event’s broad appeal and regional ties.
The 2026 Race: A Challenging Course Through the French Alps
The 2026 La Grande Odyssée promises to be a demanding test of endurance for both mushers and their canine athletes. The course, spanning nearly 400 km (approximately 248 miles), will feature over 12,000 meters (39,370 feet) of cumulative elevation gain.
The race will feature 17 stages, beginning with a prologue in Avoriaz and traversing Haute-Savoie, Savoie, and Isère. Key locations along the route include:
* The Seven Laux
* Porte Pass (Grenoble Alpes Métropole)
* Villard-de-lans (the final stage)
More than 65 international mushers and 600 high-performance dogs are expected to participate.
Regional Impact and Support
Fabrice Pannekoucke, President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, highlighted the event’s positive impact, stating, “Crossing Haute-Savoie, Savoie and Isère, the Grande Odyssée Royal Canin highlights the engaging discipline of mushing while sublimating the exceptional natural heritage of our region.” https://www.auvergnerhonealpes.fr/
Key Takeaways:
* New Partnership: La Grande Odyssée has partnered with Royal Canin, emphasizing a shared commitment to canine health through nutrition.
* Challenging Course: The 2026 race will cover nearly 400km with over 12,000m of elevation gain across the French Alps.
* International participation: Over 65 mushers and 600 dogs from around the world are expected to compete.
* Regional meaning: The event will showcase the natural beauty of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
La Grande Odyssée continues to be a significant event for the mushing community and a captivating spectacle for spectators. With Royal Canin’s support, the 2026 edition is poised to be a landmark event, further solidifying its position as a premier international dog sled race.