Italian Denis Brenna Claims Masters Gold in Stunning IFSS Debut

Denis Camillo Brenna of Italia achieved a commanding victory on the international sleddog sports stage, securing gold in the Masters 40+ division at his first-ever appearance on the IFSS circuit. Competing with his dog Kayo in the DS1MM 40 discipline (Dog Scooter 1 dog - Men Masters 40+), Brenna dominated the field at the IFSS World Championships & World Masters Dryland 2025, held October 21-26 in Minocqua, Wisconsin. The victory marks a significant breakthrough for the athlete and Italian sleddog sports.

Dominant Performance in Debut Competition

Brenna's introduction to IFSS World Championship competition left no doubt about his capabilities. He swept both heats over the 5-kilometer course, posting times of 10:16.3 and 10:04.3 for a combined total of 20:20.6. His nearest competitor finished more than 14 seconds behind, a substantial margin in a discipline where races are often decided by seconds. The Italian maintained an average pace of 29.49 km/h across both runs, demonstrating both speed and consistency.

The DS1MM 40 category requires competitors to be 40 years or older, placing Brenna among a field of experienced athletes who combine physical capability with years of accumulated knowledge. His ability to excel immediately at World Championship level suggests extensive preparation despite his newcomer status on the IFSS circuit.

Building Success Through Partnership

Brenna credits the foundation of his achievement to the relationship with his canine partner. "This was my first experience on the IFSS circuit, both on snow and dryland," he confirmed. "The icing on the cake was winning gold in DS1MM 40 with my faithful dog Kayo." His emphasis on partnership reflects the sport's fundamental requirement: absolute trust and coordination between musher and dog.

He elaborated on this principle: "The sport I practice is wonderful and I have a lot of fun. To create a bond with your dog, you have to dedicate a lot of time and patience because it takes a lot of trust to practice this sport." This statement reveals the extensive groundwork that preceded his World Championship debut.

Measured Expectations, Exceptional Results

Brenna approached his first IFSS World Championship with realistic goals. "There wasn't much at stake; I just wanted to gain experience and understand my competitive level," he explained. "Since it was my first time participating, I didn't have high expectations, but I worked hard to be ready to face my opponents. I would have settled for a good result for my first experience."

This measured approach served him well. He employed a psychological strategy to manage competitive pressure: "I convinced myself that the best way to achieve this result was to say that I was there to gain experience and let's say it worked." The tactic allowed him to race without the burden of excessive expectations while maintaining the preparation necessary for peak performance.

Despite his deliberate mental framework, the magnitude of the achievement caught him by surprise. "A childhood dream of becoming World Champion has come true," he acknowledged, before describing the surreal nature of the journey: "I think leaving Italy with your dog and arriving in Toronto, getting in a car and driving to Minocqua, and realizing you're among the best in the world."

Brenna led after the first day with a 12-second advantage but remained cautious: "I started to understand on the first day when I had a 12-second lead, but the second day was very experienced and I didn't know how it would go, especially because in our sport anything can happen." When the second heat confirmed his victory, the reality still felt elusive: "Then, when I finished on the second day, I realized I had won, but to this day I still haven't fully grasped how much we've achieved."

Italian Sleddog Sports on the World Stage

Brenna's victory adds to Italy's growing presence in international sleddog competition. Competing under the governance of FIDASC (Federazione Italiana Discipline Armi Sportive da Caccia), a provisional member of IFSS, he represents an Italian sleddog community that has produced competitive athletes across multiple disciplines and age categories.

The Masters divisions at IFSS World Championships recognize that sleddog sports accommodate athletes across the lifespan, with age-group categories allowing competitors to face peers at similar career stages. Brenna's gold medal demonstrates that Italian athletes can compete successfully not only at home but against international fields that include mushers from established sleddog nations.

Looking Forward

With a World Championship title now secured, Brenna faces new challenges. "I don't think much has changed because now we have to reconfirm or at least stay there at the top of the rankings and try to bridge the gap between the young players and ourselves, so we can raise the bar a little for our performances too," he reflected.

This perspective reveals an athlete who understands that a single victory, however significant, is merely the beginning of sustained excellence. His focus on "bridging the gap" and "raising the bar" suggests he views his role within the broader context of Italian and international sleddog sports development.

Denis Brenna's commanding debut at the IFSS World Championships confirms that preparation, partnership with his dog Kayo, and a thoughtful competitive approach can produce exceptional results. His journey from Italia to Minocqua—and from first-time competitor to World Champion—establishes him as a significant new presence in Masters-level international sleddog competition.

Correction (12 December 2025): An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified FIDASC's membership status as associate. Their status is provisional.