Another installment of the Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race is underway from northern Saskatchewan.
The event, which features a 12-dog race, eight-dog race and open race, started on Tuesday from Elk Ridge Resort north of Prince Albert.
“We have plenty of snow, a little less than last year, but last year was almost a little much there to try and keep up with the trail,” said Stefaan De Marie, who is the race president for the Canadian Challenge. “This year, we were lucky with the warmer temperatures that we could really pack down the trail, so it should be in general, a fairly fast trail.”
If you are interested, you can get up-to-date results on the Canadian Challenge online.
“Follow the race with trackers and even on Facebook,” said De Marie. “Just watch from your home and through the trackers or Facebook, you can probably find out when teams might come to La Ronge. Then you can head out to Patterson Park and see them come in.”
The Canadian Challenge can be used as a qualifier for the Yukon Quest and Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Meantime, Amada Grant was the winner of this year’s open race.
Quick Facts (via website):
The Gateway North Sled Dog Race Association is a non-profit organization, which was formed in 1994 to promote traditional sled dog racing in Saskatchewan.
The Canadian Challenge sled dog race is a 12 dog continuous mid distance race held in Saskatchewan. The race follows a route similar to that of the old sled dog trail used for years by trappers, the North West Mounted Police and the First Nations community to travel between Prince Albert and La Ronge. The total distance of the race is approx. 600 kilometers.
The Canadian Challenge sled dog race is a 12 dog continuous mid distance race held in Saskatchewan. The race follows a route similar to that of the old sled dog trail used for years by trappers, the North West Mounted Police and the First Nations community to travel between Prince Albert and La Ronge. The total distance of the race is approx. 600 kilometers.
MBC slow-mo video catches team #64 launching in Elk Ridge:
*Photo and Video by Brandon White (MBC)
