Sled Dog Teams Begin Annual Northern Trek

Sled Dog Teams Begin Annual Northern Trek

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 12:29

 

 

The 13th annual Canadian Sled Dog Challenge is officially underway.

 

Mushers left the starting gate outside city hall in Prince Albert at noon today.

 

Twelve racers are vying for more than $20,000 in prize money.

 

Six teams are entered in the 12-dog race, while five teams are entered in the 8-dog race.

 

One lone contestant is also entered in the junior category.

 

Luke Naber of Shellbook is running in the 8-dog division.

 

The five-time veteran says he’ll be taking it easy today so his dogs stay fresh later on.

 

David Neuburh of MacDowall is also in the 8 dog race.

 

He says he’ll be looking for a top-3 finish, but would really like to win after placing 3rd and 2nd in the last two editions of the race.

 

The racers head to Anglin Lake today.

 

After that, it’s on to Weyakwin and the La Ronge area.

 

The 12-dog race will run from Prince Albert to La Ronge, and then north to Grandmother’s Bay and Stanley Mission before the final dash to La Ronge.

 

The 8-dog teams will run from Prince Albert to La Ronge.

 

The junior race will end at Elk Ridge Resort.

 

Warm weather could be a factor this year, as Environment Canada is forecasting highs of -8 degrees Celsius later in the week.