Meet the Can-Am 2001 mushers...

By The FKES 8th graders in Laurie Michaud's class

MBNA CAC 250

Al Moorecroft What happens when you cross dogs, sled, and snow? Dog sledding! And who's been dog sledding for twenty-six years, won three red lanterns, and finished 2nd in the 96 triple crown? None other than Al Moorcroft, a 49 year old heavy-duty mechanic that lives in LaMable, Ontario. The lead dogs on Al's team, which range in age from three to seven years old, are Rusty and D.J. Al Moorcroft is married to Shelia and has two kids, ages twenty-three and twenty-five. Their attitude and their ability to run as one are two aspects that Al Moorcroft loves most about his dogs.
Kyle Guerrette

Robert Fredette

Dairy farming and sled dog racing; these two totally different activities seemingly have nothing in common, but this man finds a way to fit both into his truly unique lifestyle. Robert Fredette is a 37 year-old dairy farmer/sled dog racer from Ontario, Canada. His family includes his two kids, Marco (10), Jennifer (8), his wife, Roxanne, her daughter Danika, and, of course, his dogs, which average six years old. Besides sled dog racing and dairy farming, Robert also enjoys moose hunting, lumberjacking, and volunteering as a firefighter. He has been racing for 8 years and has competed in many events. He held top places in many of these competitions, including fourth in our very own Can Am Crown. Robert admires his dogs because, " They are happy all the time, even after a hard day." His lead dogs are, Loup, Kimo, Blackie, Alie, and Cocette. He enjoys working as a team with his top dogs and loves how they continue to work hard every day. Robert would someday like to race the Grand Portage and the Yukon Quest. Overall, this man is clearly a true lover of the outdoors and a dedicated musher.

Steven Kennedy

Honesty and the way they smell behind their ears are two qualities Steven likes most about his dogs. His lead dogs are Sugar, Peggy, Molly, Roxy, Hound and Robin. The average age of his team is five years old. At fifty-three years old, he is a band teacher for S.A.D. #27 and lives in the small town of Wallagrass, Maine. Having mushed for twenty years, Steven will be racing his own team. The thing that he likes most about dog sledding is taking care of the dogs. His other hobbies include working with computers and shooting sports.
By: Erika Plourde

Martin Massicotte

"Cinq, quarte, trois, deux, un … et ils sont eteints!" The traditional French countdown is announced, signaling the beginning of a long, cold journey of strength, courage, and perseverance for one of the many mushers of the Can-Am 250. On that take-off day in 1998, 31-year-old Martin Massicotte of St. Tite, Quebec province, Canada, was beginning the most victorious race of his life. Little did he know that the outcome of the exhausting three-day adventure would put him in first place. He also placed third in 1999, fifth in 1997, and third again in 1996. In the Labrador 400 he placed fourth in 1997, third in 1996, and ninth in 1995. In the Grand Portage 300 Passage he placed sixteenth in 1999, and finally, in the UP 200 he placed tenth in 1999. His future goals, which are quite attainable considering all of his past achievements, are to win the Iditarod or the Yukon Quest. He believes that the relationship of a musher with his dogs is the most enjoyable aspect of dog sledding. His lead dogs include Balto, Quartz, Max, and Cocotte, averaging in the age range of three-and-a-half years. Young as he is, this successful Quebec contractor has proven himself in the sport of dog sledding.
By Lindsey Dumond

Shawn Graham

" I love the peace and serenity that it brings to mind," quotes 29 year old Shawn Graham of Fort Kent, Maine. This dog musher has been mushing for 2 years and has raced in mid-distance races throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Graham runs his own team of dogs that all average around 4 years of age. His lead dogs' names are BJ, Bear, Milo, and Devy. Shawn's future goals are to continue working with dogs and to compete in the Bear Grease Marathon as well as the Iditarod. Shawn loves his dogs because they are loving and loyal. Someday, he wishes to make running dogs his full-time job.

John Osmond

John Osmond, two-time participant of Can Am 250, placed 6th in1999 and 8th in 1997. He was the 1st place winner in the Blanchard 30, 5 years in a row, 1994-1999, and then again in 2001. In 1995, he came in 1st place in the Labrador 100. Other races he participated in are the Sandwich 60, and the Marmora 60 & 150. With 14 years of mushing experience behind him, when asked what he likes most about his dogs, he replied, "Their constant desire to work!" Forty eight year old John Osmond is married to Amy Dugan and is a builder/equipment manufacturer. They live together in Shirley, Maine. John enjoys training his dogs for long distance racing. Caring, feeding, and conditioning his dogs are a fun challenge for him. The leaders of his pack are Drill, Kirby, and Colt. His dogs have an average age of three and a half years. In the future, John plans to continue long distance racing.
By: Samantha Boucher

Scott Smith

"Spending time on the runners and time with my dogs," said Scott. This was Scott Smith's reply when asked what he likes most about dog sledding. Scott is thirty-one years old and has been a musher for the past seven of those. He currently resides in Dubois, Wyoming. Scott grew up in Camden, Maine and is looking forward to returning to his home state, as he is anxious to see his family. As for other work, he is a manager of a company called Continental Divide Dogsled Adventures, Inc. He is also a carpenter. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, travel, and white-water rafting. Previously, Scott has raced in the Passage 130, and the Ashton Dog Derby. He'd like to compete in the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest someday. As for his dogs, they average three years in age. Scott's lead dogs are Fiddle, Mac, Nala, and Timone. He admires his dogs' passion to run, their love of life, and their desire to finish.

Stephane Duplessis

Stephane Duplessis and his dogs have one thing in common, they all love to race. The dogs he drives are his own, averaging one and a half years old. His lead dog's name is FeFille which is French for Little Girl. Mr. Duplessis' favorite part of dog sledding is being able to enjoy the great outdoors with his dogs. At 37, he works in the lumber industry and has never done any professional racing before. Other interests of his include fishing and hunting. Stephane aspires to win at least one international race.

Bob Joy

A family of mushers; that's what Bob Joy, his wife, Barbara, and two children, fourteen year old Brett, and eleven year old Caity Beth are. Bob is a 47-year-old business manager from Milford, New Hampshire who has been racing dogs for 5 years. Some of his past attempts include the Can Am 250, Marmora, and the Sandwich Notch Blanchard. His future goals include working to produce solid purebred sled dog teams. Bob's lead dogs are Jay and Alder. The thing he likes most about dog sledding is the quietness. The average age of Bob's dogs is 6 years old. He has two Siberian Huskies and four Alaskan Malamutes. Bob would like to thank Pete and Donna Johnson for letting him drive their Blackwater Siberians. Besides dog-sledding, Bob coaches a softball and baseball team at Milford High School, and he also enjoys fly-fishing.

John Kaleta

"Let's Rock Dad!" John Kaleta, a 37 year old living in Fort Kent, Maine says that his sled dogs seem to say this to him when they are ready to run. What he loves most about his dogs is their energetic attitudes and their willingness to please him. Casper and Astro lead his team which average 3.3 years of age. Mr. Kaleta lives with his wife Denise, who he's been married to for fourteen years, and his two children Ian and Emily. Ian is 10 years old and Emily is 5 and already wishes to be a musher. He works as a high school biology teacher at the high school in Fort Kent. Mushing for 12 years, he has run the Can Am Crown 250 once in 1993 and again in `95, but never finished. He won 5th place in the Can Am 30 last year. Ever since he started mushing, he has competed every year but one. Kaleta says he loves dog sledding because he loves to spend time with his family, friends, and, of course, his dogs. Also, he likes to draw people to the sport of dog sledding. Kaleta enjoys outdoor sports such as hiking, climbing, and canoeing. John's future aspirations include finishing the Can Am Crown 250 and starting a dog sledding adventure business next year. John Kaleta is a musher who loves to race and plans to for years to come.

John Hessert

"I have been dog sledding since I could walk." John Hessert first got a dog sled, custom made by Ed Moody, when he was four. He has been in competion since he was 12, winning the fastest junior musher in 1998 at the Sandwich Notch 60. A student of North Yarmouth Academy in Yarmouth, Maine, John lives on a 100-acre farm in Cumberland. This 17 year-old competitor helps his family raise sheep and sled dogs. Joe, his older brother, attends the University of Southern Maine and, "favors the sheep." Liking the quiet and solitude of the sport, John also loves his dogs because they respond to his voice and they aim to please. The lead dog's name is Patty and the average age of his dogs is 2½ years old. He likes to do anything outside and plays varsity La Cross for North Yarmouth Academy.
Mike Voisine

Stephen Hessert

Stephen Hessert, age 49 says, " I love the fresh air and solitude," when asked what he likes best about dog sledding. He competed last year in the Can Am 250, finishing in the money, and he loved it. He has been married for 28 years. To support his mushing, he raises sheep, chickens, and turkeys on a one hundred-acre farm in Cumberland, Maine. He also practices law in Portland. Stephen got his first dog in 1974 and started sprint racing every weekend. Once married, he changed his training and competing to mid-distance racing. Stephen plans to keep on mushing in the future. Mickey and Buckshot lead his team, whose average age is five. Mickey is a seven year old mutt that Stephen's older son got when he was twelve from the pound. Mickey is by far, his best dog, says Stephen Hessert, because, "he runs on heart!"
by: Macy Beaulieu

George Cook

George Cook is 46 years old. His wife Kathleen is an author who wrote a very popular novel called, "Running North." George loves to mush. He has been mushing for over 20 years, both mid and long distance. This is George's 5th race at Fort Kent. His two leading dogs are Don and Sunday. The youngest dog is two years old and the oldest is eight. George says, "Who needs hobbies when you've got a sled dog team!" His future goals are to keep sled dogs actively running to win the Trail Of New England.
By: Scott Bouchard

Yves Fredette

Yves Fredette, 35, a welder, lives with his wife and 2 daughters in Plantagenet, Ontario. He has 1 year experience in which he participated in the Marmora, UP200, Eldorado and Bancroft. Yves' team is around 2 years old on the average. His lead dogs are Kayla, Decker and Copain. He enjoys the scenic adventures of dog sledding and watching his dogs work hard as a team. Yves also enjoys fishing and hunting.

Rita Lensing

Rita Lensing, 36, is a mushing waitress from Shroeder, MN. She has had her own team for only 2 years. She hasn't wasted any time. Rita has run the Beargreasse 2001 and 2000, taking 3rd and 8th place; the UP200 2001, the Grand Portage 2000 and 2001 and will be racing in the Can-Am 250 for the first time. The average age of her team is 3 years and the leaders are Wilma, Strider and KiKi. Rita enjoys the peace and solitude of the trail, the dog's friendship and companionship mean a lot to her. Her future goals include improvement each year. Some of her hobbies are softball and hiking.

Marcelle Fressineau

Marcelle Fressineau, 46, is a dog sledding guide and outfitter from Riviere-Natawin, Quebec. She began dog sledding in 1988 and drives 3000miles every winter. He began racing in 1996 coming in 2nd in the Can-Am 60 and 1st in the Laborador 100. This year he will participate in the Can-Am 250 race for the first time with lead dogs, Blackfoot, Rinte and Belle. The average age of the team is 4 years. Marcelle says the dogs are her family and she enjoys traveling to new places and sharing adventures with them. In the future, Marcelle hopes to do long distance races.

Bill Matott

Bill Matott, 47, is a boarding and grooming kennel owner from Manchester, NH. Bill is married to his wife, Joyce and 27 Malamute dogs ranging from ages 3-9 ½ . He has been mushing since 1986 and has finished races at Marmora, Tug Hill, Sandwich Notch and the Can-Am. This year Bill will be competing in the Can-Am 250 with lead dogs, Chuck and Joey, 9 ½ year old Malmutes, who are movie celebrities. Both dogs appeared in the Disney film "Iron Will" and the 250 will be the last race of their careers. Bill enjoys being with the dogs in the winter environment watching their gait and the functions that are important to their breed. Bill also enjoys fishing and dog shows. His future includes happiness and giving his dogs a full and enjoyable life.

Keith Aili

Keith Aili, 26, from Ray, Minnesota is a kennel owner and bear guide. He has been mushing for 12 years and has placed 1st three years in a row from 1998 to 2000 in the U.P.200 where he placed 2nd this year. Keith has also placed 2nd in the Can-Am 250 in 2000, the 1997 Beargrease 500, and the 2001 Solon Springs 130. He placed 4th in the 1996 and 1999 Beargrease 500's and 5th in the Grand Portage Passage 300 in 2000.

Andy Chakoumakos

From Lovell, ME, Andy Chakoumakos is 36 and his family includes a wife, 22 dogs and 2 cats. He makes a living as an outdoor educator and photographer. He has been running dogs since1985. He has been on mushing trips for up to 8 days with the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School and on expeditions of a week in length in Malbate Gorge, Quebec. Andy has participate in the Blanchard Fun Run. His goals include making the Can-Am a yearly event. He enjoys training leaders from pups, watching his dogs figure things out and performing difficult tasks with style and penache. Aleut, Yeti, Freeze, Lightning and Quasar are his lead dogs. They do more than he expects of them and likes delving into their unique and great personalities. The average age of his team is 4 years. Andy also enjoys winter camping in extreme conditions, ski expeditions above the arctic circle in Russia, white water paddling in the eastern river system, and rock climbing as well as telemark skiing.

Tom Benson

Dog driver, builder, and Outward Bound Instructor, Tom Benson comes to his first Can-Am with 9 years of experience. But the Can-Am is not his first race. His experience includes races such as the Beargrease, the Ashton Dog Derby, Canadian Challenge, and the Grand Portage Passage. He hopes to increase his race team to a 45 dog kennel and to race competitively with happy, healthy dogs. Tom enjoys the solitude, teamwork, and quiet of dog sledding. His lead dogs are Tordan, Patomic, Blue, Razberry and Bigmouth. He loves their ability to bounce back and have fun even when they are tired. The average age of his team is 4 years.

Matt Weik

Stan Passananti

KEY BANK CAN-AM CROWN 60

Alex Murphy

Alex Murphy, age 53, drives his own team. His mushing experience includes the 1995 mid distance race, the 1999 Sandwich Notch 30mile race, and the 1999 Can-Am Crown 30, in which he finished in 4th place. Alex is a builder in Silky, North Dakota where he lives. One of his future goals is to keep racing mid distance races in New England. He enjoys traveling over new trails and exploring new areas with his dog team. Alex's dogs range from 3 to 5 years old. He likes his dogs' personalities and willingness to mush.
By: Justin Theriault

Duane Ramsey

Duane Ramsey is a sixty three-year old musher. He is drawn to the sport for the love of his dogs and the adventure of every run. He is a father and grandfather from Inverary, Ontario. A retired vice president of a chemical company, and with twenty- two years of mushing experience, he enters six to seven mid-distance races each year. Even though he has never won any of these races, he has a great time doing it. His future goal is to keep at it for at least ten more years. What he enjoys most about his dogs are their dedication to him, and their love of life. Lead by Les and Tessa, the average age of his dogs is four years old. Although his dogs occupy most of his time, he fits in other hobbies like hiking in the summer, deer hunting, and reading.

Mark Arkester

Larry Murphy

"Their devotion to the challenge and their will to please," is what Larry Murphy, a forty-nine year old musher, writes about what he likes most about his dogs. He is married, has three children, and two grandchildren. His lives and works in Fort Kent, Maine as an Assistant Principal for their local elementary school. He enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking the Appalachian Trail, and camping. Larry has been mushing for two years. His racing experience includes the 2000 Can-Am 60, in which he placed 11th , and the 2001 Blanchard Fun Run, in which he placed 3rd. Mr. Murphy's dog sled team, led by Silma and Jenny, average three years old. Larry mostly enjoys the individuality of training, the bonds that are made, and the inspiration of the dogs. His future goals are to finish the Can-Am 250 in two days and to place in the top five of the Can-Am 60.

Marcel Drouin

Marcel Drouin, 34, is a stair shop owner from Embrun, Ontario. During his 5 years experience in mushing, he has placed at the top in several races including Marmora, Bancroft, the Can-Am and recently at the Portage Passage. Marcel will be competing this year with a team that averages 4 years in age and led by Shadow and Carlo. Marcel enjoys the company of his dogs and the bond he has with them. He's amazed at their performances and their attitudes. He says, "They think I'm the greatest!"

Terry Knowles

Terry Knowles, 53, is retired from the U.S. Army and is from Brownville, ME. He started his 15 years of mushing by skijoring then moved on to sprint racing. Terry has run the Sandwich Notch 60 and the Can-Am 60 several times each. Terry spends as many hours as possible on woods trails with his Siberian Huskies led by Jo and Seeker. Their average age is 7. He marvels at the team's love to work in the harness. Terry enjoys operating his ham radio, running and skiing.

Stephane Massicotte

Stéphane Massicotte vient de St. Prosper, Québec, où il était élevé sur un laitier, et où il travaille à cette heure. Avec deux courses de chien-traineau à son acquis (y compris le Can-Am 60 l'année passée), il aspire de completer le Can-Am 250 dans deux années, et le "grand" Iditarod dans dix années. Le chien-traineau, pour lui, c'est la nature, c'est l'aventure, c'est l'amitié avec ces chiens. Il aime aussi l'encouragement du monde au depart… "Allez, allez, allez, Stéphane!" Il aime regarder ses chiens en s'ameliorant. Chaque année il marque leur progress. Ses leaders sont Spoty et Tetoo, et le moyenne age de son équipe est quatres ans. Note speciale: Stephane remercie le village de Fort Kent. Les gens sont gentils, il dit, et leur encouragement est essentiel. "THANKS A LOT," il dit.

Claude Baril

Claude Baril, fabriqueur de portes et fenêtres de cinquantes ans, vient de St. Zénon, Québec, où il a deux fils, David et Jeff. (Ne le confondez pas avec son leader Jeff!) Il apporte dix ans d'experience au sport de chien-traineau, dont l'instant le plus marquee était prendre sixième position a la Mastigouche à 1999. Il aspire de completer plus de courses de mi-distances, a l'avenir. Ce qui le tente au sport, c'est de voir l 'amelioration de son équipe d'une année à la prochaine, et le désir de ses chiens de lui faire plaisir. Son équipe, guidée par Carter et Jeff, est agée d'entre deux et cinq ans.

Scott Shaw

Scott Shaw, 37, is a construction owner who will be racing in the Can-Am 60. Scott lives with his wife, Beth, and his son, Andrew in Stirling, Ontario. He has 4 years of mushing experience with a team of dogs averaging 2 ½ years of age whose leaders are Peggy and Blackie. Scott enjoys time outdoors and likes the diverse personalities of each dog.

Paul Boudreau

Paul Boudreau, 58, a retired security officer from L'Assomption, P.Q., is a veteran of the Can-Am races. He has 25 years of mushing experience which includes the Laborador 400 and 120 and the Can-Am 250 and 60. Paul is running the 60 this year but hopes to do the Can-Am 250 in 2002. He enjoys hunting, fishing and bicycling. His lead dogs are Breeze, Kim and Tank. The average age of his team is 4 years. What Paul enjoys most about his dogs is their honesty.

Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson, 33, is a builder from Leroy, MI with 5 years of mushing experience. This is Mike's first year of racing which includes the Mackinaw Wilderness (4th), St. Ignace (8th), Tanguanmenon (4th) and the Midnight Run. Mike will be racing the Can-Am 60 with his dogs that average 3 ½ years in age and are led by Sweetie and Blitzen. Mike enjoys spending time outdoors with his dogs. He says they are always happy to see him. He enjoys hunting and he hopes in the future to continue learning and growing with his dogs. Mike wants to say a special thanks to his Mom and Dad for all of their help!

Gaetan Martin

Gaetan Martin, 53, a teacher from Saint Basile, NB is returning to Fort Kent for a fifth year of racing. He is racing in the Can-Am 60, but soon hopes to be ready for the 250. Gaetan enjoys dog sledding with his 3 year old team because it brings him out, far from home, telephones and televisions. He says his dogs are not fast but are hard workers. The team leaders are Snow and Ti-go.

Francois Julien

François Julien, un jeune coureur de vingt-deux ans, se décrit comme étudiant. Il vient de Pont-Rouge, Québec. Ses experiences des courses a chien-traineau comprennent une victoire au Sprint Club Attelage Chiens Quebec (CACQ), où il a fini en première position avec six chiens. Son ambition est de gester un terrain de golf, ou bien peut-être devenir joueur professionel. Le chien-traineau represente, pour lui, l'evasion et la tranquilité. Il aime prendre soin de ses chiens, les dresser aux commencements, et les rendre sociables. Guidée par Rover et Molo, son équipe a, en moyenne, quatres ans.

Michel Dinelle

Michel Dinelle, 46, a trucker from Gardien, P.Q. comes to Can-Am 2001 with 20 years mushing experience. He has raced many sprints and mid-distance races. In 1996 he finished 6th in the Can-Am 250 and placed 10th in the UP 200 World Championship Midnight Run. Michel has had many years experience handling for Andre Nadeau. His lead dogs, Annie and Lyly, lead a team with the average age of 3-4 years. They will be competing in this year's Can-Am 60.

Andy Nissley

Eighteen year-old Andy Nissley, musher for Stephen J. Nissley, lives in Sherman Mills, Maine. He is part of a family of nine, which includes three sisters, four brothers, a mother and a father. He participated in the Can-Am 30 last year and finished in 6th place. He was also in the KVDSA. Racing is what he enjoys most about dog sledding. Ghost and Dodge lead his team, which average two years of age. When Andy is not in the race, he likes to hunt and fish. His future goals are to run in the Iditarod.

PEPSI/Budweiser CAN-AM CROWN 30

Michael Wolf

At the young age of sixteen, Michael Wolf will be one of the many team drivers for the 2001 Can Am Crown 30 International Sled Dog Race. The "lucky dog" that will lead his sled is named Princess. Michael's dogs average about two and a half years of age, and he says their finest quality is the great dedication they hold. Michael lives with his mother and sister on Mount St. Francis in the town of St. Francis. Later in life, Michael hopes to join the army, though he, at present, is only a student. In addition to running dogs, Michael enjoys various hobbies such as hunting, fixing bikes, carpentry, and throwing knives. Five years of recreational experience in dogsledding stand behind Michael, and when asked what the biggest pleasure he gets out of dog sledding is, he replied that he enjoys working as a team with his dogs.
Ellie Jalbert

Mary Wolf

Mary Wolf is a young student who loves to dogsled. She is 14 years old and lives in St. Francis with her mom and her older brother, who is also a musher. She races for a team owned by her mother Pat Wolf. She has been mushing for five years but this will be her first ever race. Mary's future goals are to run the Can-Am 250 and enter the 2005 Iditarod. Her lead dogs' names are Duchess and Ginger, and the average age of her team is 2.7 years. Mary says the best thing about her dogs is their companionship. She likes dog sledding because she says it is adventurous. In her spare time Mary enjoys playing hockey, bird watching, and art.

Jane Sutherland

Dental hygienist Jane Sutherland, a first time runner of the Cam-Am Crown, is a mother of one son. Residing in Caribou, Maine, Jane started skijoring six years ago with her first husky Shyla. Shyla led to six more huskies and a couple of dog sleds. Jane's primary focus is recreational mushing, and educating the general public about dog powered sports. She presents annual dog mushing programs in the Caribou area schools and public library. She also teaches skijoring for the North Country Mush and Skijor Club. Jane states, "I strive to learn and share with others to be the best team we can be!"
By Tonya Kelly

Christine Richardson

Shawn Akins

"Cutting through the woods at a fast pace," said Shawn Akins as he explains what he enjoys most about dog sledding. Shawn Akins is a thirty-five year old male that lives in Cornwall, Ontario. He is really dedicated to the sport of dog sledding. He also enjoys hunting and fishing. Shawn has a wife named Vicki, a five-year old daughter Ashley, and a three-year old son Tyler. Shawn works at Domtar Fine Papers Inc. in Ontario. Shawn has a mushing experience of five to six years. The names of his lead dogs are Hector and April. He likes the attitude and temperament of these dogs whose average age is three years. Shawn Akins is a dedicated family man who is also a great athlete.
by:Lance Bossie

Victoria Akins

Vicky Akins, 44, is a teacher and semi-retired river guide from Old Town, Maine. She has been running dogs for 17 years and is entering the Can-Am 30. She enjoys being out in the woods working with the dogs. Vicky appreciates their intelligence, their responsiveness, their love to run and their companionship. The average age of Vicky's team is 4 years.

David Rossi

David Rossi, 40, is a painting contractor from Rangeley, ME. He has 7 years skijoring experience in which he participated in 2 sprint races and a 15 mile race at Sandwich Notch. He has 2 years mushing experiencing during which time he ran the 30 mile at Sandwich Notch. He will be running the Can-Am 30. The average age of David's team is 3 years and the team leader is Dizzle. David enjoys being outside in the winter watching his dogs become better athletes as they become more experienced.

Vicki Daitch

Vicki Daitch, 40, a historian from Canterbury, NH, has chosen to run her first dog sled race in Fort Kent. She will be racing in the 30 mile race. Vicki lives in rural NH with her husband, Hiram, and their 9 Alaskan Malamutes, whose average age is 3 ½. They have been running their team recreationally for 5 years. They want to breed and train Alaskan Malamutes to do the type of work for which they were originally developed. Vicki finds that dog sledding brings her closer to nature and to her dogs. She enjoys her dogs' brute strength which is tempered by gentleness and a sense of humor.

Richard Jacques

Richard Jacques, 45, is a married insurance adjuster and the father of 2 sons. His hobbies include dog sledding, fishing and hunting. He has had dogs for 10 years. He participated in the Can-Am 30 in 1998 and finished in 13th place. In the year 2000 he finished 3rd in the same race. His goal this year is to finish in one of the top three places. His lead dogs are Jumper and Chuck. He has one dog 2 1/2 years of age and 5 dogs that are 5 years old. Richard says his dogs are always ready to go with very good temperaments and good team spirit.

Michael Ellis

Michael Ellis, 30, is a land surveyor from Rumney, NH. He is co-owner of a six Siberian Huskey dog team with his wife, Sue, who puts up with his madness. He enjoys spending time with his dogs on the trail and being able to make each dog as good as it can be. The average age of his dogs is 3 years old and he hopes to increase his kennel size. Michael has been racing since 1994 and he has competed in 60 and/or 30 mile races at Marmora, Phillips Brook, NH, Craftsbury, VT, Sandwich, NH and the Can-Am races. He says, " Who has time for other hobbies besides mushing?"

Tenley Meara

Tenley Meara, 38, is a business process manager at Bowdoin College, who lives with husband, John and daughter, Miranda, in Topsham, Maine. Tenley has 7 years of mushing experience which includes finishing 4th in the Can-Am 30 the last two years and winning the Sandwich Notch 30. Tenley hopes for a "top 3" placement in this year's Can-Am 30 and hopes to enter the Can-Am 250 sometimes in the future. She enjoys the solitude of winter travel by dog team, and the team's enthusiasm, loyalty and work ethic. The average age of her team is 4 and they are lead by Clark and Bock. Tenley is a registered Maine Guide, who enjoys bird hunting, dog sled trips and hoseback riding in the "off season." She would like to thank her "sponsor", her husband John, for his support and help this season.

Steve Marsh

Steve Marsh, 46, is a mechanic from Mendon, MA who has been mushing for 4 years. His team, lead by Munchkin and Siren are an average of 4 years old. Steven enjoys being outside spending time on the trail with the dogs. He hopes someday to run the 250.

Yves Carrier

A local musher from St-Francois, NB, Yves Carrier returns to the Can-Am Crown with the blessings of his wife, Julieth and sons, Eric and Jean-Francois. Yves is a family physician and "nature nut". His nature exploits include President of the Glacier Foundation, co-owner of Eagle Valley Adventures, bow hunter, mountain biker, canoeist, hiker, and camper. He has been mushing since 1976 and besides the Can-Am 30, has raced in the sprints at Baker Lake. His goals are simple; to stay alive and keep on mushing. His lead dogs are Gaguk and Gringo. His team's average age is 5.

Guy Landry

35 year old Guy Landry from St-Francois, NB is another veteran of the Can-Am Crown. He lists his family as; wife Anik, kid Nikola and bills. (We must be related.) He has finished in the top ten of two of the previous CAC30's and has been mushing for 4 years. He hopes to keep on breathing and mushing and that these goals come to an end at the same time. Guy enjoys the natural beauty that one sees at "dog speed" and sharing that beauty with his family. His lead dogs are Kimbo and Brun. The average age of his dogs is about 3 years. Hobbies? No time for hobbies...

Erick LaForce

23 year old firefighter from Lanoraie, QC, Erick LaForce returns to the Can-Am 30. His mushing experience spans 7 years and includes the Wyoming Stage Race where he finished 13th and a first place finish in the Sandwich Notch. He hopes to race in Yellowknife some day. His lead dog is Amie.

Becky Johnson

Becky Johnson would like to start by thanking her parents for all of their help. She is 30 and hails from Luther, MI. Becky, a registered nurse, is single and has no children other than the four-legged furry ones. With 7 years of mushing experience to her credit, she has placed fourth in the 2001 Grand Portage, second in the Mackinaw Wilderness, eighth in the St. Ignace and sixteenth in the Midnight run. Her hopes include maintaining a kennel of happy dogs and finishing the races they start. She enjoys spending quality time with her dogs. Her lead dogs are Cheyenne and Jack and she likes the way they love unconditionally. The average age of her team is 4 years. Mushing is her hobby.

Lynne Cyr

Here's something we've all been looking for, the first female musher from Fort Kent to run in a Can-Am race. Lynne Cyr of Snowrunner Kennel is the wife of Can-Am trail boss, Dennis Cyr and mother of Kayleigh, Lora and Davis. She is a teacher and has been mushing for 2 years. This is her first race. Her goals include raising a litter of pups and keeping on mushing. With her lead dogs, Cassie and Norm, she enjoys the solitude of being in the woods... it's a true stress reliever. Her team is an average of 3 years old.

Bob O'Hearn

Robert (Bob) O'Hearn, 37, an auto mechanic from Sandown, NH , and a newcomer to Can-Am, has signed up to run the Can-Am 30. He has raced 3 years in the Sandwich Notch 30 and 60 and finished 5th out of 60 in this year's Blanchard 30. His lead dogs are Osage and Image. He enjoys being out on long runs with the dogs.

Carl Deblois

Carl Deblois, 29, from Frampton, Quebec, has four years mushing experience which includes 2nd place in both the Can-Am 30 1999 and 2000. His lead dogs are Patsy and Moxy and the average age of his team is 4 years. The thing he likes most about his dogs is their speed.

Maulian Dana