By Derek Cornet

Yellowknifer declared winner of eight-dog Canadian Challenge

Feb 22, 2018 | 7:00 AM

Marcel Marin of Yellowknife is the winner of the eight-dog event in the Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race.

He crossed the finish line in La Ronge’s Patterson Park yesterday at about 5:40 p.m. to the cheers of spectators who gathered to greet him. Marin completed the 200-kilometer course in 23 hours and 33 minutes after leaving from Elk Ridge Feb. 20. One of the biggest challenges this year, Marin said, was the cold weather, which dropped to about -40 C overnight.

“The cold ate everyone away. I didn’t really expect it,” he said. “It’s hard on the dogs because you have to keep the weight on them, and so of course they’re burning away more calories when it’s -40 C. It’s a lot harder on the dogs, and a lot harder mentally too.”

Marin wasn’t sure how he would do after he slowed down to about three kilometers per hour yesterday morning. He had three dogs who were struggling, he said, and ended up switching five of them at the Fafard Cabin checkpoint as a precaution. Marin thought the delay would affect the outcome of the race, but he learned he had a large lead.

Musher Jerry Joinson came in second place at about 7:20 p.m., while Laura Neese crossed the finish line minutes later to earn third place. Luke Naber finished the race in fourth and La Ronge’s Sid Robinson crossed the finish line last. Earl Stobbe of Christopher Lake made it to Harold’s Cabin, but ultimately didn’t finish the race.

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“In general, it was a little harder on the dogs,” Canadian Challenge President Stefaan De Marie said. “Weather is always a factor. When it gets cold, sometimes muscles stiffen up.”

He noted another two teams (Jillian Lawton and Megan Routley) also dropped out of the 12-dog race before reaching La Ronge, with one musher reporting their dogs sustained injuries. De Marie said most mushers are prepared for the cold, and bring dog coats and blankets on the trail.

“There might have been a bit of a lack of training and it resulted in some of the dogs that are more prone to injuries,” he said. “Unfortunately, we had two teams in MacClennan and they did not feel comfortable going out.”

De Marie reminded local residents not to drive snowmobiles on the marked path until Friday evening, as it increases the risk of dogs becoming injured. 

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno