1994 - 2003
10th Edition

The idea was born in 1993 when Judith Zuurveld, Martin Kristensen and Arnulf Stelzner, on their own initiative, decided to organize a contest called "Skogkatt of the Year". The objective was to make it possible to compare FIFé show results internationally in order to reward the most winning Norwegian Forest Cats in the world in a Top-20 ranking. In 1998 Sandro Chiavuzzo inherited the Skogkatt of the Year from the co-founders and assures for the continuation of this success story.

The rules of this competition originate in part from the Danish FIFé Member, Felis Danica, where a similar set of rules have proven their validity in their national competition for many years. In order to make the comparison of results as fair as possible for all countries, the organizing committee tailored the rules regarding number of show results and limitations where these could be achieved to best fit its need.

The best thing about this competition is that it is free of charge for all participants! All costs connected with this contest are born by the organization. The competition is supported by all of the Norwegian Forest Cat Breed-Clubs in FIFé, but is organised and managed independently of them.

We suppose and hope that honor is what most participants strive for. The final list of results is distributed to all Norwegian Forest Cat clubs for publication in their magazines. We also encourage the owners of the cats ranked in the top 5 to send a photo of their cat to the clubs for publication. All participants receive the final list of results, and the cats ranked in the top 20 are rewarded with a certificate. In the early years there were private persons sponsoring extra prizes for the winners and this all took place at the annual FIFé Worldshow. With the shifting of the Worldshow from spring to autumn, the results and awards are simply sent by postal mail.

Rules of the Competition

• Adults and Neuters (classes 1 to 10) participate with the cumulative number of points from their best shows (max. 8 shows). Not more than 4 shows from any single country may be used.

• Kittens (classes 11 and 12) participate with the cumulative number of points from their best shows (max. 6 shows). Not more than 3 shows from any single country may be used.

• The same cat may participate in more than one category.

• Results from international FIFe shows held in the period January 1 to December 31 of the calendar year may be used.

• Incomplete entries (i.e. without copy of certificates) will be disqualified.

• Entry forms including documentation (copy of certificates) must have reached Sandro Chiavuzzo by mail or fax before January 31 of the following year.

The points awarded for a show result are compiled using the following table:

The points from the highest result of the show are to be counted (i.e. if a cat was nominated at the show the points awarded for a nomination are to be taken from the point scala. If the cat got a certificate or perhaps also a BIV, these do not count as the points for these are already included in a Nomination).

Winners receive information as soon as possible after the deadline. Participants may track the preliminary results on the Internet as they are updated regularly until the closure date.

The success of the Skogkatt of the Year is simply phenomenal. Year after year we are setting new records in number of participants. In its first year back in 1994, the response was moderate. Only a year later the contest was already well known throughout the international Norwegian Forest Cat community. Today we are happy to say that number of entered cats constantly ranges between 110 and 130 cats. In past editions we had participants from as distant places as Australia and Mexico. Despite the fact that their cats had little chance to crack the top 20, they entered the contest to be among the participants. Overall, cats from 17 different countries were ranked in the Top 20 final lists throughout the years.

Looking at the list of results, one may ask what is the purpose of this list. It is clear that the moment one starts ranking things it sets off a spirit of competition. Everyone hopes to have his/her cat(s) ranked as high as possible and at least be mentioned on the list. However, by no means does it mean that the cat ranked no. 3 is better than the cat ranked no. 10 on the list. In all likelihood, these two cats never competed together at the same show. Competition in Category 2 and number of cats at the show differ vastly depending the part of Europe you live in. Therefore, it may be said, that in some parts it is easier to obtain a nomination or BIS due to less competition. It is however a fact, that the cats on the final list are the most winning NFO’s in that particular country/region. Furthermore, we get a clear idea of how active breeders and exhibitors of NFO’s are in different countries and parts of Europe. We realize what goes on in the NFO’s show front in countries where we never or rarely receive news, and foremost the list permits to keep our breed international and makes the world of Norwegian Forest Cats an active and lively community.

Based on the past results some interesting patterns come to light. In terms of show areas, Europe is divided into four major regions and very few people show in more than one area.

1. Southwestern Europe: Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Monaco and the Southern / Central part of France

2. Baltic Region: Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

3. Sweden - Norway: include these two countries only due to travel limitations to and from

4. Major European area: Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, Austria, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Denmark, Northern part of France

FIFé cat shows are also held in Belarus, Croatia, Ukraine, Greece, Malaysia, Iceland, Israel, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. From some of these countries i.e. Iceland it is not possible to travel abroad with your cats and most of the other countries have none or only a few NFO's.

Three factors decide how far you travel when you participate in a show: Time, money and language. It is very expensive and time consuming for a person living in Finland to attend a show in Portugal. It is rather complicated and expensive for a person living in Norway or Sweden to vaccinate and test their cats in order to go to shows in the rest of Europe. Apart from that some English speaking persons may find it too difficult to go to a French or Spanish speaking country or vice versa.

These are just a few thoughts that crossed my mind when I look at the list. You may have similar or different thoughts and opinions.

After nearly 10 years of existence, the Skogkatt of the Year is still the lone competition available for one breed in FIFé. Quite honestly, We lean back with a proud and beautiful feeling of belonging to an international active community of Norwegian Forest Cat fanciers.

All questions and comments may be addressed to:

Sandro Chiavuzzo
Chemin du Clos-du-Moulin 16, CH-1844 Villeneuve, Switzerland
Tel. +41 21 964 41 82, Fax +41 21 964 41 77
E-mail: info@skogkatt-of-the-year.net

Skogkatt of the Year is available on the Internet at : www.skogkatt-of-the-year.net 

Text written by S. Chiavuzzo / M. Kristensen - April 2003

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