I just got in from the Can Am Crown International Sled Dog Races held in Fort Kent, Maine about an hour from our home. Left in snow (studded snow tires a must up here)and it continued throughout the day with temps of +22 and a -8F wind chill... it seemed to make the races all the more exciting. The dogs were all yodeling and jumping anxious to get underway.
Main Street was closed down to accommodate the start and it ws filled with spectators. Most of the locals looked as if they stepped right out of an Alaskan Gold Rush movie in big fur hats, Mukluk boots and beards! Families brought all the kids out including infants all rosy cheeked and bundled up in their sleds; strollers just don't work up here in the winter! I even met a Native American in his red Hudson Bay blanket coat, breast plate of shell beads and bone and his ceremonial staff. Photos will come soon!
I was told there were about 1,000 dogs entered in the various races of from 30 miles to 250 miles and in the 30 mile race, there was a Mackay! I do not know if she is a member of our Society, but I am going to try to get her address to send her a personal note of congrats for her participation. Check her lead dogs' names!...
Kathy Mackay
From: Parishville, NY
Age: 53
Website: N/A
Team Owner: MacKay / Mahoney
Lead Dogs:
Malarkey; 6 year old male Alaskan
Ghillie; 5 year old male Alaskan
Sgian Dubh; 5 year old male Alaskan
Camogie; 5 year old female Alaskan
Pictish; 4 year old female Alaskan
Race Experience:
Longest: Midnight Run; 15 place
Can-Am 30; 7 place 2008
Can-Am 30; 7 place 2009
John Mahoney and I have been working with Alaskan huskies since 1994. We worked as tour guides, kennel helpers, race handlers, and race organizers, but we now enjoy fielding our own race team that we have raised and trained from scratch.
Seeing a familiar name made watching the starts and following the teams all the more enjoyable! To see more with videos just google
"Can Am Crown International Sled Dog Races" or check the UTube sites under the same heading! Michelle
Posted on Mar 3, 2012, 5:23 PM from IP address 74.65.148.69