PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. -- The Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race has been put on ice because of warm weather.
The race's organizing body is cancelling this year's event — which was set to start Feb. 23 in Prince Albert — because of poor trail conditions in northern Saskatchewan. Organizers did not want to put mushers and dogs at risk, said Gillian Gracie, president of the Gateway North Sled Dog Race Association.
“In the interests of the safety of the dogs, mushers and officials, it was the only prudent thing to do,” Gracie said in a media release.
The tough conditions would mean a high probability of dehydration and injuries to dogs, added head veterinarian Dr. Ruth Sims.
Trails are spotty, with little to no snow in some areas, ice in other sections and water in places. Some parts of the trail are even closed down, according to organizers.
Conditions are unlikely to improve, and even with a good snowfall the sled dog association would not have enough time to prepare the trail.
“Even if we had a good blizzard in the next few days, we no longer have time to put in and properly mark the 520-km trail,” the group’s vice-president and trail boss Allan Sheremata said.
“Normally we have at least half the trail marked by this time of year, but conditions have prevented this. Volunteer trail crews can only work on weekends, and there are only three weekends left.”
Seventeen mushers who entered this year’s event have since been notified of the cancellation, and the race’s board is working to contact sponsors.
Organizers are already beginning to plan next year’s race, which will mark the Canadian Challenge’s 20th anniversary.
