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Meet the Can-Am 2008 mushers...

* An asterisk indicates that the musher's canine vaccination records have been received.

IWC 250WJC 60PBC 30
Normand Casavant *Scott Alexander Nick Van Drimmelen *
Martin Massicotte *Mitch Ingerson Diane Marquis
Steve Rasmussen *open Kathy Mackay *
Matt Carstens Andy Benkendorf *Tara Lemieux *
Robert O'Hearn Eric Chagnon Gary Chapman *
Jacob Golton *Gavin Baker Mike Paradis
Don Hibbs *Marc Alain *Amy Delano *
Lev Shvarts *Amelie Aubut David Punch *
Terry Adkins Jason Bennett Dennis Cyr *
Ed Obrecht *Andy Chakoumakos *Jonathan Hayes *
Alan Ricalton Caroline Blair-Smith *Wesley Baum *
Rob Greger *Eli Golton *Genevieve Telmosse
Jaye Foucher *Debbie Knight *Gilles Picard *
open Sylvain Voyer *Becki Tucker *
Mario Racine *Shawn Akins *Francois Maurice
Ron Brigham Scott Shaw MaryBeth Logue *
Bruce Magnusson *Claude Baril Carla Halvorson *
Andre Longchamps Lindy Howe *Michael Lloyd
Ashley Simpson Shawn Linendoll *Liz Como *
Larry Murphy Jim Wellert *Terry Knowles *
Rita Wehseler *Chris Pennucci *Corina Alexander
Denis Tremblay *John Miller *Rico Portalatin *
open Monica Magnusson *Kasey McCarty *
open Kathy Lesinski *Lee Kearney *
open Paul Boudreau Traci Halvorson *
open open Claudette Blouin *
open Barry Dana Susan Bain
open Hank DeBruin Rob Cooke
open Todd Sullivan Jocelyn Bradbury
open open Adam Cummings

Exit

Irving Woodlands Can-Am 250

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Normand Casavant
  • From: Val Des Lacs, PQ
  • Age: 44
  • Occupation: Professional Musher
  • Web Address: http://www.casaventures.com
  • Team Owner: Normand Casavant
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Venus; 6 year old male Casavant
    • Chevy; 9 year old male Casavant
    • Vison; 4 year old male Casavant
    • Rex; 5 year old male Casavant
    • Step; 5 year old female Casavant
    • Roxie; 5 year old female Casavant
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 4 place 2007
    • Eldorado, ON (40 mi); 3 place 2007
    • Marmora, ON (120 mi); 4 place 2007
    • Daquaam, PQ (24 mi); 3 place 2007
  • Expects to finish: top three places.
"Musher depuis 21 ans. Je pratique ce sport comme profession avec mon entreprise "Les Casaventures" et ainsi comme coureur professionnel ma conjointe Karine Grenier est également mon handler et partenaire dans l'entreprise. J'ai deux enfants, Mathieu 16 ans et Laurianne 14 ans. Mon objectif cette année à la Can-Am 250M est de me positionné dans les trois premier."

Exit
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Martin Massicotte
  • From: St. Tite, PQ
  • Age: 39
  • Occupation: Pavement Contractor
  • Team Owner: Martin Massicotte
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Buck; 7 year old male Alaskan
    • Tac; 3 year old female Alaskan
    • Coyote; 4 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Yukon Quest (1000 mi); 7 place 2003
    • Can-Am 250; 1 place 2005
    • Can-Am 250; 2 place 2006
Martin has mushed since he was eight years old. After doing some sprint races he decided to do longer sled dog races, such as the Can-Am Crown 250, the Labrador 400, UP 200 (Michigan), and finally he realized one of his dreams in racing the Yukon Quest in 2003, where he got Rookie Of The Year and finished with bad frostbite. He won the Can-Am 250 three times and would like to have more championships!!! The Can-Am is his preferred race because of the nice organization, and also because of the people there. In the future, Martin would like to race the Yukon Quest again, and also enter the Iditarod. Martin's hobby is to MUSH, MUSH, and MUSH again!!!
Exit
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Steve Rasmussen
  • From: Melrose, MN
  • Age: 42
  • Occupation: construction
  • Team Owner: Steve Rasmussen
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Lolo; 5 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Iditarod (1049 mi); 49 place 2005
    • Beargrease (350 mi); 4 place 2006
    • Beargrease; 16 place 2004
    • UP200; 16 place 2007
" I have been running sled dogs for 12 years and racing for 10 years. In 2005 I completed the Iditarod in 49th place. That was the best time I have ever had with my dogs. My wife, Sandy, and I have three daughters. They are Samantha, Sydney and Stefanie. I am hoping for a good run on my first time doing the Can-Am 250. Thank you to all involved for putting together one of the greatest sled dog races in the world."

Steve had the Best Kept Team in the Beargrease "06" and the Best Cared For Team in the Race to the Sky "98".

Exit

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Matt Carstens
  • From: Whitefield, NH
  • Age: 34
  • Occupation: dog handler
  • Web Address: http://www.nevahomekennels.com
  • Team Owner: Nevahome Kennels
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Bill; 4 year old male Alaskan
    • Bear; 4 year old male Alaskan
    • Blackfoot; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Apache; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Bet; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Harley; 4 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Beargrease; 12 place 2006
    • Eagle Lake 100; 1 place 2006
    • Can-Am 250; 1 place 2006
    • Eagle Lake 100; 1 place 2007
    • Greenville 100; 1 place 2007
    • Can-Am 250; 5 place 2007

"Hi, My name is Matt Carstens. My daughter, Delia, is 8 years old, and she is a big help whenever she is in the dogyard. I love the lifestyle that dog mushing has allowed me to live, and I plan to be around for awhile. I enjoy working around my home and in my woodwork shop. My race team is approaching their fourth season with the exception of my two-year-olds, Duke and Chico. They will round out a very solid 12 dog team."

Matt has had a lot experience in many races. He has won the Eagle Lake 100 the last two years. In 2006 he placed 12th out of 30 mushers in the John Beargrease, a 400 mile race. He won the Can-Am Crown 250 in 2006.

Exit

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Bob O'Hearn
  • From: Sandown, NH
  • Age: 44
  • Occupation: auto technician
  • Web Address: http://www.mishawum.com
  • Team Owner: Bob & Rhonda O'Hearn
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Rocky; 7 year old male Siberian
    • Enzo; 4 year old male Siberian
    • Cosmo; 5 year old male Siberian
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Beargrease (150 mi); 35 place 2004
    • Can-Am 60; 10 place 2003
    • Crafstbury 60; 1 place 2005
    • Can-Am 60; 22 place 2005
    • Eagle Lake 100; 8 place 2006
    • Eagle Lake 100; 13 place 2007
Bob O'Hearn lives with his wife, Rhonda, in Sandown, New Hampshire. They moved from Massachusetts in 1999 and established Mishawum Kennel. http://www.mishawum.com/ .

Bob works as an automotive technician and he considers himself especially grateful for an understanding employer and neighbors.

Bob prefers to run bigger teams than his wife does. He thoroughly enjoys being out on the trails with friends during long training runs at places like Stratford, NH and Mattawin, Quebec. He brings to this event past experiences, such as earning the Sportsmanship Award at the 2004 Beargrease 150 and placing first in the Craftsbury 60 back in 2005. He has run both the Can-Am 30 and the Can-Am 60 numerous times. This will be his second attempt at the 250-mile course.

The O'Hearn team now consists of 20 Siberian Huskies (aka canine kids) which totally consume their lives and leave little discretionary time or money for other interests. The ages of the dogs on Bob's team range from 2 to 8 years.

Bob thanks all the volunteers and sponsors for making this race possible.

Exit

Jacob Golton
  • From: L'Amable, ON
  • Age: 16
  • Occupation: student & professional pooper scooper
  • Team Owner: Jacob Golton
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Ricky; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Avalanche; 7 year old female Alaskan
    • Ann; 3 year old female Alaskan
    • Coors; 6 year old female Alaskan
    • Stitch; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Rocket; 5 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Marmora 120; 5 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 3 place 2006 & 2007
    • El Dorado Gold Cup (50 mi); 2 place 2006
    • Bancroft (45 mi); 2 place 2007
    • Kearny (80 mi); 3 & 4 place '06 & '07
"I have been dog sledding recreationally with my family since I was four years old. I have been racing mid-distance for the past four years. This will be my third year competing at the Can-Am. This year my goal is to successfully complete the Can-Am 250."

"I am a student in grade 11. I have two sisters and one younger brother, Eli, who is racing in the Can-Am 60."

"My other hobbies are hockey, rugby, cycling, hunting and water skiing."

"The thing I like most about my dogs is their willingness to work hard."

In 2006 and 2007, Jacob finished 3rd in the Can-Am Crown 60.

Exit

Don Hibbs
  • From: Millinocket, ME
  • Age: 50
  • Occupation: Lodge owner and manager
  • Web Address: http://www.nahmakanta.com
  • Team Owner: Don Hibbs
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Bear; 5 year old male Alaskan
    • JJ; 6 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Yukon Quest (1000 mi); 9 place 1995
    • Can-Am 250; 3 place 2007
" Married for 16 years to Angel ( a former successful racer herself). We have three children, Derek (16), Ryan (13), and Fredericka (8). We operate Nahmakanta Lake Camp, a wilderness camp near Baxter Park. We've had sled dogs for almost 25 years. Taking care of our kids, dogs and business doesn't leave much spare time, but my two sons and I like to take a few weeks off in late summer for a canoe trip in Northern Canada. This year my soon-to-be-14-year-old son, Ryan, will be signing up for the 30-mile race, and I'm hoping he will enjoy the experience and develop a long-term interest in dog mushing and racing. My daughter also has a passion for the dogs, and she enjoys helping out in the kennel and running a two-dog team."

Don has won the Can-Am 250 three times, placed second in the UP200 twice, and won the Labrador 400 in 1996. He has done lots of wilderness mushing in Canada and Alaska, and he has 20 years of experience as a dogsled tour operator.

Exit

Lev Shvarts
  • From: Winchendon, MA
  • Age: 28
  • Occupation: electrical engineer
  • Web Address: http://www.teamollie.com
  • Team Owner: Lev Shvarts
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Loke; 6 year old male Siberian
    • Chena; 7 year old female Siberian
    • Lupi; 6 year old female Siberian
    • Turtle; 6 year old female Siberian
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am250; 17 place 2007
    • Greenville 100; 8 place 2007
    • Eagle Lake 100; 7 place 2006
    • Can-am 60; 18 place 2006
"This will be my second Can-Am 250. Hopefully there will be colder temperatures this year. I will be driving the same dogs, so they will have some experience now. I very much enjoyed my first 250, and very much looking forward to this one. Despite owning a small kennel, I find myself with very little free time for anything other than dogs. And that's just fine!"

Exit

Terry Adkins
  • From: Sand Coulee, MT
  • Age: 64
  • Occupation: USAF - retired / dog musher
  • Team Owner: Adkins Alaskan Huskies
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Iditarod; various placements, several years
    • Race to the Sky (350 mi); 5 place 2007
"I have been involved with sled dogs since 1972. I was the first Iditarod veterinarian and have raced the Iditarod 22 times. Other races include the Beargrease, Race To The Sky, Stagestop, and many more. I have 48 adults and 7 puppies in my kennel at present. These dogs go back to Nayukpuk and Attla bloodlines."

"I retired from the USAF a few years ago and 'went to the dogs'. I enjoy racing and like the Can-Am and its people."

"I have been in many races. Have even won a few."

Terry won the Beargrease in '91, and took 5th place in the Can-Am Crown 250 the first time he raced it (1999).

Exit

Ed "The Sled" Obrecht
  • From: Thorn, PQ
  • Age: 36
  • Occupation: Carpenter & Musher
  • Team Owner: Ed Obrecht
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Mustang; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Baricouda; 3 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Hudson Bay Quest; 7 place 2007
    • Percy DeWolf; 5 place 2006
"Hi, my name is Ed The Sled. I have been a mushing addict for the last ten years. Over the years I have had the opportunity to do some really fun things with my dogs. Last year we went up north to race in a 250 above the tree line. It was awesome to enter in a race and compete against some fan hitch teams. This was a tough race for me. It's hard to race in an environment that is completely unfamiliar and unforgiving. The year before that we were up in the Yukon where we got to meet and race with some excellent people and dogs. Now this year I hope to race right here in my own back yard. See you there."

Ed has been a guide for 7 years and has been a ski joring instructor.

Exit

Alan Ricalton
  • From: Natural Bridge, NY
  • Age: 40
  • Occupation: Civil Engineer
  • Web Address: http://www.dogtec.com/kennel/GetKennel.asp?idAccount=142
  • Team Owner: Alan Ricalton
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Copper; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Candy; 3 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Eagle Lake 100; 7 place 2005
    • Can-Am 60; 7 place 2007
    • Midnight Run (95 mi); 19 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 6 place 2005

Alan is a Civil Engineer with the New York State Dept of Transportation. He and Sara have been married for 13 years. They have two children, Maria (10) and Darren (8). Alan's goal is to have a respectable finish in the Can-Am 250. Hobbies include hunting, 4-wheeling, and carpentry. He really enjoys the challenge of raising and training a competitive dog team and running a dog team on a clear, cold, moonlit night. Alan has placed well in the Can-Am 30 and the Can-Am 60.

Exit

Rob Greger
  • From: Bozeman, MT
  • Age: 43
  • Occupation: Dog trainer
  • Web Address: http://www.andurilkennels.com
  • Team Owner: Rob Greger
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Lori; 7 year old female Belgian Sheepdog
    • Robin; 7 year old female Belgian Sheepdog
    • Annie; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Chewy; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Legs; 7 year old male Belgian Husky
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Race to the Sky (350 mi); 7 place 2007
    • Race to the Sky; 5 place 2006
    • K9 Challenge (Utah, 200mi)); 5 place 2007
    • UP 200; 14 place 2005
Rob, his wife (Cara) and daughter (Jenny) run Anduril Kennels in Montana. They raise Alaskan Huskies and Belgian Sheepdogs. They have a boarding kennel and teach dog training classes.

Rob has been mushing for 20 years now. He has raced in eleven Race To The Sky races and two Iditarods. He has won Best Cared For Team awards and sportsmanship awards at many races.

One of Rob's greatest joys is sharing his love of dog mushing and the outdoors with school age children and junior mushers.

Exit

Jaye Foucher
  • From: Ashland, NH
  • Age: 40
  • Occupation: web developer
  • Web Address: http://www.sibersong.com
  • Team Owner: Jaye Foucher
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Kadee; 5 year old female Siberian
    • Anthem; 5 year old male Siberian
    • McKinley; 5 year old female Siberian
    • Magik; 4 year old female Siberian
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 21 place 2007
    • Greenville Wilderness 100; 14 place 2007
    • Eagle Lake 100; 16 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 24 & 22 place 2005 & 06
    • Stratford Nighthawks 30; 4 place 2005 & 2007
Jaye Foucher has a kennel of about 22 Siberian Huskies in central New Hampshire. The dogs are primarily from the North Wapiti lineage.

In 2000, Jaye stumbled across the sport of mushing after buying a pet Siberian Husky. She totally ignored the warning about it being addictive. Three years later she found herself owning 8 dogs and running her first 30 mile race.

Since the beginning she has wanted to run distance races, and in 2007 Jaye completed her first Can-Am 250, along with the Eagle Lake 100 and Greenville Wilderness races. She is hoping to run the Iditarod or Quest in 2010. One of the things she likes most about this sport is that it's always an adventure and never boring!

When she is not enjoying the many white-knuckled rides found behind a 12-14 dog team, Jaye owns and runs a web development firm.

Exit

Mario Racine
  • From: Ste Cecile de Milton, PQ
  • Age: 43
  • Occupation: printing technician
  • Team Owner: Mario Racine
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Gousak; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Plume; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Chaman; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Sam; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Youka; 6 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 9 place 2007
    • Can-Am 250; 12 place 2005
    • Can-Am 60; 15 place 2004
Mario Racine comes from Ste. Cecile de Milton, Quebec, where he is employed as a pressman. In his free time he enjoys roller blading and kayaking. Mario has raced in the Can-Am 60 and the Can-Am 250. His future goal is to tackle the Yukon Quest.

Mario says the best thing about dog sledding is to do the training at night, which gives a feeling of freedom. When it comes to his dogs, he likes the loyal honesty of the good workers.

Exit

Ron Brigham
  • From: Warwick, MA
  • Age: 42
  • Occupation: state correction officer
  • Web Address: http://www.northernillusion.com
  • Team Owner: Ron Brigham
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Eyota; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Casadia; 2 year old female Alaskan
    • Diesel; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Ridge; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Grass Hopper; 2 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Eagle Lake 100; 14 place 2007
" I started racing just to see how I compare with others, as I am a self taught musher. I started with Malamutes then bred to Alaskans. The race bug has gotten the best of me. I am running a new team that I raised from pups. They will be three years old in this coming race. They ran the Eagle Lake 100 last year. I retire in August 2008, and I plan on running the Iditarod in 2009. This will give me plenty of time to train. Due to my life style with the dogs, I have recently found myself single. I guess it's a new plateau in running a team of dogs at a more serious level."

"I have been running Northern Illusion from 2000 to date, giving rides and clinics around New England. This past winter I have been running out of Dummer, NH and out of my backyard in Warwick, MA. I have also been working with Great Northern Moose Lodge, giving 60-mile group rides."

Exit

Bruce Magnusson
  • From: Manchester, MI
  • Age: 43
  • Occupation: manufacturing forgings
  • Web Address: http://www.rpmkennel.com/
  • Team Owner: Bruce & Monica Magnusson
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Billy; 4 year old male Alaskan
    • TJ; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Cracker; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Mary; 3 year old female 1/2 Alaskan
    • Quest; 4 year old male Alaskan
    • Mikka; 2 year old female 1/4 German Shorthaired Pointer
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Pedigree Stage Race (320 mi); 15 & 8 place 2006 & 2007
    • Midnight Run (90 mi); 15 ∓ 4 place 2006 & 2007
    • TAQH 12 dog (63 mi); 5 place 2005
"My wife and I thought this dog stuff would be a nice hobby. Little did we know it would become such a passion and life style with the dogs. Just being part of what these amazing athletes can do is such a privilege, and only all of us dog people understand. All other hobbies have been lost. We both race mid-distance and stage racing."

Exit

Andre Longchamps
  • From: Pont-Rouge, PQ
  • Age: 36
  • Occupation: Summer tractor driver / Winter musher
  • Team Owner: Andre Longchamps
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Pitoune; 8 year old female Jean Lafontaine
    • Deutch; 5 year old male Trilongmiles Kennels
    • Tarka; 6 year old female
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 7 place 2005
    • Greenville 100; 1 & 2 place 2005 & 2007
    • Eagle Lake 100; 3 & 4 place 2006 & 2007
Andre Longchamps likes sled dogs, hunting, fishing, and nature. He hopes this year will be his best run in the Can-Am 250. His wife, Amelie Aubut, will be racing in the Can-Am 60. They have a five year old child.

Exit

Amy Dugan
  • From: Shirley, ME
  • Age: 48
  • Occupation: manufacturer of sled dog equipment
  • Web Address: http://www.mtnridge.com
  • Team Owner: Mountain Ridge Kennel
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Lisa; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Fang; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Agassi; 7 year old male Alaskan
    • Pedroe; 7 year old male Alaskan
    • Gemini; 7 year old female Alaskan
    • Apollo; 7 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 12 place 2007
    • Can-Am 250; 4 place 2005
Sled dogs have become a way of life for my partner John and me. There is nothing better than going down the trail with a well conditioned team of Alaskan Huskies! They are our family, and the sport is our life! Future goals would be to help contribute to the growth of racing, bringing it into the main stream in a positive light. For me it is all about the dogs. They are incredible animals that never lose their enthusiasm. Hobbies? Dogs, dogs, and more dogs.

Exit

Larry Murphy
  • From: Fort Kent, ME
  • Age: 56
  • Occupation: teaching principal
  • Team Owner: Larry Murphy
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Reggie; 6 year old female Alaskan
    • Dawn; 6 year old female Alaskan
    • Goose; 6 year old male Alaskan
    • Melin; 6 year old female Alaskan
    • Carson; 5 year old male Alaskan
    • Hazel; 5 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 15 place 2007
    • Eagle Lake 100; 5 & 11 place 2005 & 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 22 place 2006
" I have been in love with dog sledding for the past eight years. One ride in 1998 caused an addiction to the sport. I am 56 years old. I have been married for 36 years and I have three children, Kim, Erica, and Ben. I have four grandchildren, Sean, Hannah, Cole, and Collin. Someday I hope to witness my grandchildren mushing at the Can-Am races."

"The thing I love about my dogs is their loyalty and their willingness to please. We have high goals for this year. We hope to finish in the top ten of all the races we enter. This is challenging because of the yearly improvement in the quality of the racers and dog teams entered in Maine's races."

"My wife, Irene, and I also love to camp, fish, hike, and bike."

Larry says his experience includes thousands of training miles and multiple races from 30 to 250 miles, including the Can-Am 60, Katahdin 100, Greenville Wilderness 100, and the Can-Am 250.

Exit

Rita Wehseler
  • From: Tofte, MN
  • Age: 43
  • Web Address: http://www.stoneycreeksleddogs.com
  • Team Owner: Stoney Creek Kennel
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Dutches; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Ruby; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Poke; 4 year old male Alaskan
    • Niki; 5 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: John Beargrease (440 mi); 3 place
    • Can-Am 250; 2 place 2007
    • Can-Am 250; 11 place 2006
Rita Wehseler is a baker from Tofte, Minnesota. She started mushing about 13 years ago when a friend introduced her to the sport. Since then she has managed a dogsled touring business in Alaska. Eight years ago she got her own dogs and started Stoney Creek Kennels, named for her father's raccoon hunting kennel.

Rita said that her proudest moment in her mushing years was being the first woman to finish the Can Am Crown 250. She did that in 2001, but she did even better last season (2007), finishing second in very tough competition.

Exit

Denis Tremblay
  • From: St. Michel des Saints, QC
  • Age: 33
  • Occupation: Truck Driver
  • Team Owner: Denis Tremblay
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Jack; 2 year old male Jacques Phillips
    • Agathe; 3 year old female Jacques Phillips
    • Agoras; 4 year old female Jacques Phillips
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Eagle Lake 100; 6 place 2008
    • Can-Am 30; 1 place 1997
    • Can-Am 30; 1 place 2000

Exit

Willard Jalbert Jr. CAC 60

Scott Alexander
  • From: Sanbornton, NH
  • Age: 34
  • Occupation: Service Technician
  • Web Address: http://www.kianasiberians.com
  • Team Owner: Scott & Corina Alexander
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Valeska; 7 year old female Siberian
    • Viktor; 4 year old male Siberian
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Sandwich Notch (30mi); 15 place 2004
    • Stratford Nighthawks (25mi); 2 place 2007
    • Mannsville Quest (15mi); 1 place 2007
    • Bartlett Fun Run (24mi); 6 place 2007
    • Eden Mountain (20mi); 2 place 2007

Exit

Mitch Ingerson
  • From: Jefferson, NH
  • Age: 47
  • Occupation: Self employed
  • Web Address: http://www.nevahomekennels.com
  • Team Owner: Nevahome Kennels
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Farmer; 2 year old female Alaskan
    • Cris; 2 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 10 place 2004
    • Eagle Lake 100; 7 place 2005
    • Greenville 100; 3 place 2005
    • Eagle Lake 100; 5 place 2006

"I am very lucky to be married and to have a beautiful daughter and awesome kennel. With a little luck and Matt Carsten's help, we plan to race very hard for the next few years."

Mitch Ingerson and his wife, Kricket, are the owners of Nevahome Kennels in Jefferson, New Hampshire. Kricket will be racing in the Can-Am 60 while Mitch is competing in the 250.

Exit

Andy Benkendorf
  • From: Mine Hill, NJ
  • Age: 38
  • Occupation: Landscaper
  • Team Owner: Andy Benkendorf
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Reba; 7 year old female Alaskan
    • Roxy; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Foxy; 2 year old female Alaskan
    • Max; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Salem; 1.5 year old male Alaskan
    • Bashfull; 1.5 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 60; 25 place 2005
    • Tug Hill Sprint;
"I'm a self-employed landscaper who loves sled dogs. I have been sledding for 11 years and don't want to stop. My new 9 month old son will probably sled also when he is old enough. I have a lot of experience and love the Can-Am very much. I have been sprint racing for 8 years and now have found an interest in long distance racing."

Exit

Eric Chagnon
  • From: Parent, PQ
  • Age: 41
  • Occupation: Forestry Foreman
  • Team Owner: Eric Chagnon
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Poilu; 6 year old male mixed breed
    • Jack; 5 year old male mixed breed
    • Radar; 6 year old male mixed breed
    • Pike; 5 year old male mixed breed
    • Tweeti; 4 year old female mixed breed
    • Tom; 2.5 year old male hound
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: L'Odysee Appalachienne (66mi); 3 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 13 place 2006
    • La Tuque (28mi); 3 place 2006
    • La Ticouape (22mi); 3 place 2006
"I operate a small business of dog sled tours for tourists.

I was a handler for the Yukon Quest in 2003 to 2005.

I like fishing, hunting and trapping. "

Exit

Gavin Baker
  • From: Almonte, ON
  • Age: 37
  • Occupation: carpenter / dog box manufacturer
  • Team Owner: Gavin Baker
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Shimano; 3 year old female Alaskan
    • Portage; 4 year old male Alaskan
    • Lance; 3 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Eldorado Gold Cup (53mi); 17 place 2006
    • Bancroft (50mi); 2005/06/07
    • Marmora (25mi); 2005/07
"I have been dog mushing for over 12 years, and have owned and operated Trail Dancer Sleddog Adventures for three years. The past three years I have been mushing on the Ontario mid-distance circuit. Recently I changed my kennel over to Alaskan Huskies. I would like to run the Can-Am 250 in the near future along with the Beargrease and UP 200.

I have run some 6-dog sprint races in the past."

Exit

Marc Alain
  • From: Saint Etienne des Gres, PQ
  • Age: 45
  • Team Owner: Marc Alain
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Bandit; 8 year old male Alaskan
    • Diva; 8 year old female Alaskan
    • Nitz; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Braque; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Boss; 5 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: L'Odysee Appalachienne (66mi); 8 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 16 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 20 place 2006
"This will be my third time racing in the Can-Am. The first two times I learned many things. This time will be a good one. I have some new dogs, and I expect to finish in the top ten. In preparation for that great moment, we are working on the dogs, trying to provide the best care and training, not just for the dogs but also the musher."

"We also take good care of Tristan and Marc Antoine, our two children. We are happy that they really like sledding."

Besides the dogs, Marc has two horses. He also makes custom dog sleds.

Marc says he has been "mushing for ten years and learned many things from the great musher, Martin Massicotte". He wishes all mushers a good training season.

Exit

Amelie Aubut
  • From: Pont-Rouge, PQ
  • Age: 28
  • Occupation: government collection agent
  • Team Owner: Amelie Aubut
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Clifford; 4 year old male
    • Gazou; 6 year old male
    • Rio; 7 year old male Jacques Phillips
    • Medium; 5 year old female Reddington
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Greenville 100; 7 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 6 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 4 place 2006
    • Eagle Lake 100; 5 place 2006
    • Can-Am 60; 4 place 2005
" I have a five year old son. My husband Andre Longchamps will run the Can-Am 250. I do barrel racing with my horses in the summer time."

Exit

Jason Bennett
  • From: Fort Kent, ME
  • Age: 32
  • Occupation: carpenter
  • Team Owner: Jason Bennett
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Babe; 6 year old female Alaskan
    • Kit Kat; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Avalanche; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Smarties; 5 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Eagle Lake 100; 14 place 2007
    • Can-Am 30; 2005 & 2006
    • Can-Am 60; 2007
    • Craftsbury 30; 2005
    • Blanchard 30; 2005
" My goal for 2008 is to run at least five races and be in the top ten every time. Training will start as soon as possible, because I have one season to catch up. Training and racing are one thing, but just to be with my dogs is the real one. I'm very happy to be on the sled again."

Exit

Andy Chakoumakos
  • From: Lovell, ME
  • Age: 42
  • Occupation: Outdoor clothing guru / Outward Bound instructor / Father
  • Team Owner: Liz Como
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Billy; male Alaskan mix
    • Kalliq; female Alaskan mix
    • Rocky; female Alaskan mix
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 10 place 2003
Andy has been mushing since he met his wife, Liz Como, in 1990. But he really got into the sport a few years later when "her" dogs became "our" dogs.

Since 2000, he has been working for the Patagonia Company, which designs and sells outdoor clothing and gear. Andy has also worked as an Outward Bound Instructor since 1989. At Outward Bound he has instructed many a dogsled course. With Andy and Liz's own business, Winter Journeys, he has introduced many novices to the joy of mushing.

Andy became a father in November of 2006. He is most often seen with a camera in hand, and lately his prime subject is his daughter, Sofia. He took some wonderful photos of Sophia on her first dogsled trip last March.

He has run the Can-Am 250 twice (alternating with Liz's runs), finishing it once. Now he is excited about their new crop of "wired" dogs. This will be his first run in the Can-Am 60.

Andy's favorite moments with the dogs are the "hours of scooping poop and changing water buckets, especially since Liz seems to have forgotten how to do these tasks". Actually, what he really likes to do with the dogs is take them out exploring.

He has gained a reputation in the local sledding community. When you go mushing with Andy, be prepared for an adventure, ready to really hang on to your sled, and ready to go off trail. One of their handlers, Ruth, was heard to say after a training run with Andy, "Well, I didn't die, so I must be stronger".

Andy has made significant overnight sledding expeditions in Maine and Quebec. He is also an avid mountain biker and has competed in the Vermont 50 three times.

Exit

Caroline Blair-Smith
  • From: Albany Twp, ME
  • Age: 36
  • Occupation: Outward Bound instructor / dogsled tour guide
  • Web Address: http://www.sledpets.com
  • Team Owner: Caroline Blair-Smith
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Ceo; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Tundra; 4 year old male Alaskan
    • Tuckamore; 5 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 15 place 2005
    • Can-Am 30; 4 place 2007
    • Stratford Nighthawks (2x27.3mi); 3 place 2007
    • NCM Bartlett Fun Run Race (24mi); 1 place 2007
" My husband Andy and I live in western Maine with our dogs. For our day jobs, we work for Outward Bound running wilderness trips that specialize in character development. We moonlight (sometimes quite literally) in the off-season as mushers, handlers, and kennel servants, which results in a certain amount of character development.

The dogs' work includes hauling freight sleds on Outward Bound expeditions, taking people on dogsled tours (Mornington Crescent Sled Dogs), and countless other runs that blur the line between "race training" and "recreational". No matter the job at hand, the dogs respond joyfully, and we consider it our job to keep it fun for them."

Exit

Eli Golton
  • From: L'Amable, ON
  • Age: 13
  • Occupation: student
  • Team Owner: Ken Golton
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Fonte; 7 year old male Alaskan
    • Yoda; 3 year old female Alaskan
    • Terra; 9 year old female Alaskan
    • Sakic; 7 year old female Alaskan
    • Pete; 4 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Kearney 80; 12 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 20 place 2007
    • Eldorado (50mi); 15 place 2007
    • Marmora (25mi); 12 place 2007
    • Bancroft (45mi); 9 place 2007
    • Michigan Newberry (Tahquamenon) (42mi); 35 place 2007
"I have been dogsledding with my family since I was 2 years old. I have been racing mid-distance for 3 years. My goal is to complete the 120-mile Marmora this year.

I have two older sisters and one brother, Jake, who is competing in the Can-Am 250.

I enjoy hunting, 4-wheeling, cycling, and hockey."

Exit

Debbie Knight
  • From: Grafton, ON
  • Age:
  • Occupation: educator
  • Team Owner: Debbie Knight
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Willow; 2 year old female Alaskan
    • Tiger Lily; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Greenie; 5 year old female Siberian
    • Coal; 4 year old male Siberian
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Eldorado (42mi); 19 place 2007
    • Marmora (25mi); 13 place 2007
"I have been running dogs for a number of years, but only got into racing 5 years ago. I started out in sprints and have since moved to mid-distance with the constant encouragement of a good friend. My ultimate goal is to run long distance races. The best part of life is when I am out on the trail running with my dogs. They are the most amazing athletes, and I am always humbled by them.

The race plan this year is to run the Marmora 120, Kearney 100, and Can-Am 60, then finish the season with an expedition trip (210 miles) from Cochrane, Ontario to Moosonee, Ontario."

In Debbie's first 3 years of racing, she ran sibs in the 4 and 6 dog class. She and the team won a few firsts and seconds in the purebreed class in Ontario.

Exit

Sylvain Voyer
  • From: Rimouski, PQ
  • Age: 31
  • Occupation: debroussailleur
  • Team Owner: Sylvain Voyer
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Bouleau; 7 year old male Alaskan
    • Nala; 3 year old female Alaskan
    • Oumak; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Meganne; 3 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Defi amical Kempt (84mi); 5 place 2007
    • L'Odysee Appalachienne 60; 5 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 15 place 2007
"Il a déjà été propriétaire d'une compagnie de tourisme offrant la possibilité de faire des expéditions de traineau a chien. Pratique le traineau depuis 13 ans."

Exit

Shawn Akins
  • From: Williamstown, ON
  • Age: 42
  • Occupation: stone & brick mason
  • Team Owner: Shawn Akins
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Iris; 6 year old Alaskan
    • Thunder; 2 year old Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 60; 3, 6, 2 place 2005, 2006, 2007
    • Bancroft 50; 7, 3, 1 place 2005, 2006, 2007
    • Kearney 40/40; 6 place 2005
"I am currently running a kennel of about 30 dogs with my wife, Vicki. My children, Ashley (12) and Tyler (10), as well as my father, Arnold, help out with the kennel chores.

I have been running dogs for 10 years. I love the quiet time on the trail and the dedication that these dogs give to my team. I also enjoy the time away that I get to spend with my father, as well as meeting other mushers. My family's favorite race is the Can-Am Crown, and we are always very impressed with how the race committee goes above and beyond in their treatment of the mushers.

I intend to keep running dogs as long as my time permits, perhaps leaning towards longer races in the future."

Exit

Scott Shaw
  • From: Stirling, ON
  • Age: 44
  • Occupation: construction foreman
  • Team Owner: Scott Shaw
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Maibec; 4 year old male Alaskan
    • Mork; 5 year old male Alaskan
    • Tony; 3 year old male Alaskan/Pointer
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Bancroft (78mi); 1 place 2003
    • Bancroft (50mi); 3 place 2007
    • Marmora 25; 2 place 2007
    • Kearney 40/40; 5 place 2007
"I am married to Beth. We have one son, Andrew.

I have enjoyed the Can-Am race for many years and hope to continue to race it in the future. I will continue to race the mid-distance races, hoping to do six this year.

I have a great bunch of dogs with great personalities that just like to please. My dogs are what I enjoy the most about sledding."

Exit

Claude Baril
  • From: St-Zenon, PQ
  • Age: 57
  • Occupation: monteur fenetre
  • Team Owner: Claude Baril
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Gus; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Cumming; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Sula; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Seawee; 3 year old female Alaskan
    • Didley; 3 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Lac St-Jean 100; 3 place 2004
    • Can-Am 30; 2 place 2005
    • Can-Am 60; 6, 6, 2, 4 place 2001-02-03-04
" This year I planned on doing it alone (the dogs and I). I will try a few 100 mile races, see how it goes, and if I can hold it together I would sure like to finish the Can-Am 250 in 2009. Then I could retire happy. In 2006, I could not finish because of a back problem. The dogs were well trained and could have finished well. I was the weak link, and I apologize to my team."

Exit

Lindy Howe
  • From: New Sweden, ME
  • Age: 44
  • Occupation: law enforcement instructor
  • Team Owner: Lindy Howe
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Aliy; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Autumn; 7 year old female Alaskan
    • Logan; 6 year old male Alaskan
    • Solo; 7 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 30; 19 place 2007
"I live in Northern Maine with my small mid-distance racing kennel of Alaskan Huskies. My parents and my two children are so supportive of my passion. The kennel's future goals are to enter a longer race each year until we find the ones that are just long enough for us."

"I absolutely adore each and every dog on my team and work hard to give them all the benefits of being competitive. Most importantly, I want them to have the best time of their lives every single day. The Can-Am has been a dream come true for many years!"

"My other hobbies are playing the flute, playing tennis, and I would love to get back into sailing again. Just like sailing, dogsledding provides me the love of being out in mother nature while balancing the fine line of 'her' challenges."

Exit

Shawn Linendoll
  • From: Fort Ann, NY
  • Age: 46
  • Occupation: dog sled builder - kennel owner
  • Web Address: http://www.linendollshappyhuskykennel.com
  • Team Owner: Shawn Linendoll
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Duckie; female Alaskan
    • Blackie; female Alaskan
    • Bueno; female Alaskan
    • Socks; female Siberian
    • Cowboy; male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 60; 26 place 2007
    • Craftsbury; 28 place 2005
    • Midnight Run; 2 place 1998
    • Pennsylvania 30; 2 place 2007
"I am a professional dogsled builder and on the board of directors of Mush With Pride. I have been mushing for over fifteen years. I run a kennel of about 24 dogs. They are mostly Alaskans, with a couple of Siberians.

I enjoy seeing dogs I raised and trained excel at something they enjoy doing. I also like the excitement and terrain the Can-Am offers.

I like training my dogs more than racing. I guess I am getting old and just enjoy the beauty of watching the dogs work. I seem to find time out there to appreciate the beauty of it all. My longest trip with a dog team was a 500 mile journey. I enjoy bonding with my dogs and helping others on the trail."

Exit

Jim Wellert
  • From: Wadsworth, OH
  • Age: 40
  • Occupation: surveyor
  • Team Owner: Jim Wellert
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Niki; 6 year old male Alaskan
    • Dell; 6 year old male Alaskan
    • Raven; 6 year old female Alaskan
    • Racheal; 6 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Midnight Run; 2002 & 2006
    • Can-Am 60; 2006
    • Taquemenon; 2007
    • Bayfield; 2006
"Our kennel, Wellert's Racing Sled Dogs, is owned by Jim and Lori Wellert. We intentionally keep a small kennel of approximately 20 dogs. Our season was cut short last year after we were involved in an auto accident on our way to a race. Our dog truck was totaled which left us no way to travel to races. All humans and dogs involved were fine with no major injuries. We are looking forward to getting back on track this year and having some fun with the dogs."

Exit

Chris Pennucci
  • From: Fort Kent, ME
  • Age: 25
  • Occupation: undecided
  • Team Owner: Andy Benkendorf
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Tundra; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Bandit; 3 year old male Alaskan
    • Iggy; 5 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 30; 27 place 2005
Chris came to Fort Kent to pursue an education in mushing and earned a biology degree at the University of Maine at Fort Kent in his spare time. He has finished the biology but is still going with the mushing and wants to stick around a bit longer. He currently lives in Fort Kent with his girl friend Trudy. He does not own his own team yet, but is willing to run his friend Andy's second team. He says he loves the enthusiasm of running Alaskans and says they are all great dogs. Chris ran the Can-Am 30 in 2005 and is stepping up to the 60 this year in hopes of running longer races in the future. He would one day like to compete in the Can-Am 250. Chris hopes to move to Alaska one day and race long distance races and go on expeditions by dogsled.

Chris has experience in sprint mushing with the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Sled Dog Clubs. He has been a dog handler for local mushers Shawn Graham and Dennis Cyr and also for Ryan Reddington in the 2004 Iditarod.

Exit

John Miller
  • From: Sandyston, NJ
  • Age: 49
  • Occupation: surveyor / field engineer
  • Team Owner: Frostline Kennel
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Ontario; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Minook; 6 year old male Alaskan
    • Appaloosa; 5 year old female Alaskan
    • Courtney; 3 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 30; 11 place 2006
Most of our races have been sprint racing up until 2006 when we entered the Can-Am 30. Since that time we have raced in some smaller 30 mile races in NY and due to snow conditions other races we had entered were cancelled. We train with friends in Ontario and spend weekends in the Adirondacks for training with the Quad. I've been involved with Alaskans for 8 years and had Malamutes for 4 or 5 years before that.

This is my first shot at the 60. I ran the 30 two years ago and finished 11th. Last year my wife ran the 30 for her first time and finished 13th. Thank God for the storm the night before, if she had finished better than I, I never would have heard the end of it!

We have 2 daughters, Abbey and Tess, ages 11 and 7 who are fantastic handlers and train with the team throughout the season. Abbey would like to compete in the 30 next year. Our family really looks forward to the Can-Am. This town pulls out all the stops for the mushers and families. The race is top notch, and we see what we have in our kennel by racing against the best mushers in the northeast. Although we don't have the fastest dogs, we have always been ecstatic in the performance of our dogs and how well we have finished. The crowds, the trail, the volunteers and the scenery are an easy trade off for the 12 hour ride from NJ. I hope for the great run, healthy, happy dogs and a fantastic weekend here with family, friends and you folks here at Ft. Kent! Let's Rock!!

Exit

Monica Magnusson
  • From: Manchester, MI
  • Age: 41
  • Occupation: VPBO
  • Web Address: http://www.rpmkennel.com
  • Team Owner: Bruce & Monica Magnusson
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Who ever is left after Bruce picks his team.
My husband, Bruce, and I own and operate RPM Kennel in Cheboygan, Michigan. We have 34 Alaskan Huskies and unlike most folks we don't live with our dogs due to our work situation.

So we travel a total of 9 hours, every weekend 52 weeks of the year to train and spend time with our dogs. We are blessed to have a really wonderful caretaker for the dogs during the week. We have been competing in mid-distance events for about 6 years now and travel all over the US participating in various events. We enter each event with the goal of finishing with a healthy happy dog team. We are addicted to stage racing and would love to see more of this format in the future. We have always been avid outdoors folks and have given up snowmobiling, golf and other hobbies so we can concentrate on the dogs. There has been no other sport we've been involved in that gives us so much fulfillment and joy as does dog sledding. The bond between musher and dogs is something that cannot be described and must be experienced. These animals are very special and never cease to amaze us. We look forward to returning to the Can-Am and enjoying the beautiful trail system and friendly people.

Exit

Kathy Lesinski
  • From: BroadBrook, CT
  • Age: 42
  • Occupation: musher / parttime teacher
  • Web Address: http://www.ka-bi-siberians.com
  • Team Owner: Kathy Lesinski
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Coal; 3 year old female Siberian
    • Bonnie; 3 year old female Siberian
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: UP Midnight Run; 29 place 2007
    • Eldorado; 13 place 2007
    • Statford Nighthawks; 4 place 2007
    • Can-An 60; 23 place 2007
"This will be my 4th year racing. My husband, Bill, and I have 17 siberians that we have raised and trained. Off season 2 of them compete in agility which you don't see much of in New England. Hobbies include golfing, fishing, biking and of course running dogs! I am proud to be the only female mid distance musher from the state of Connecticut. My husband and dogs are my true heroes. Bill for allowing me to follow my dream and the dogs for being so willing to please me.

"My husband and I also do educational programs all over the state of Connecticut."

Exit

Paul Boudreau
  • From: L’Assomption, QC
  • Age: 65
  • Occupation: retired security officer
  • Team Owner: Paul Boudreau
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Blue; 3 year old female Alaskan - hound
    • Beauty; 3 year old female Alaskan - hound
    • Ono; 5 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Labrador 400; 2 place 1996
    • Can-Am 250; 3 place 1993
    • Labrador 150; 1 place 1999-2005
    • Marmora 25 Mile; 1 place 2007
Paul ran in all of the Labrador 400's and Can-Am 250's up until 1998.

His future goal is to keep mushing as long as he is still able. Paul also likes bicycling, roller blading, fishing and hunting. Paul likes his dogs because of their honesty and willingness to work. "They are a great bunch of dogs."

Exit

David Punch
  • From: Orange, CT
  • Age: 41
  • Occupation: arborist
  • Team Owner: David Punch
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Noah; 5 year old male Alaskan
    • Rain; 5 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: El Dorado 50; 20 place 2007
    • Marmora 25 Mile; 8 place 2007
    • Can-Am 30; 18 place 2007
    • Can-Am 30; 22 place 2006
I live in Connecticut on a farm with my 10 dogs and some new pups. I am looking forward to doing longer races in the future, like 60's and 100's. I enjoyhiking and skiing and have hiked the Appalachian trail end to end with my german shephard dog. I also telemark skied many mountains in the norteast, colorado and utah also with my dog.

I love everything about dog sledding, from doing chores in the kennel to training in the forest. But the most rewarding thing is the bond that developes between man and dog and the trust that they show in me.

Exit

Barry Dana
  • From: Solon, ME
  • Age: 49
  • Occupation: Penobscot cultural educator, artist, recovering politician
  • Team Owner: Barry Dana
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Abol; 10 year old male Alaskan
    • Joe Polis; 4 year old female Alaskan
    • Molly Midnight; 4 year old male Alaskan
    • Chief; 3 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 250; 4 completions
    • Can-Am 250; 16 place 2005
"I am the only person to ski-jor the Sandwich Notch 60 and Can-Am 250. I have finished the Can-Am 250

"I am married and 5 children and 1 granddaughter. One of my future goals is to build a birch bark canoe and paddle to Hudson Bay."

Barry's hobbies include canoe racing and following my kids all over Maine for football, basketball and soccer. Other interest includes protecting the rivers of Maine from over development and industrial pollution.

"Dog sledding provides a winter wilderness experience like no other. For me it is a connection to our past."

Exit

Hank DeBruin
  • From: Haliburton, ON
  • Age: 45
  • Occupation: dogsled tour operator and millwright
  • Web Address: http://www.winterdance.com
  • Team Owner: Winterdance Dogsled Tours
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Lily; 5 year old female Siberian
    • Max; 7 year old male Siberian
    • Phantom; 5 year old male Siberian
    • Devil; 5 year old male Siberian
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Marmora 120; 6 place 2007
    • Bancroft; 10 place 2006
My wife, Tanya, and I started our dog sledding life 14 years ago with the purchase of 1 Siberian Husky pup. We now own 120 purebred Siberian and make our living dog sledding with our company, Winterdance Dogsled Tours. It has been a long term goal of our kennel to compete with our Siberians in mid and long distance races. Our future goals are to take one of our teams to the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. We have 3 children, Logan 8, Dustyn 6, both of whom also love running dogs, and Michaela 2. We make our home and training grounds in the rugged Haliburton Highlands of Ontario.

For the past 8 years we have run a touring kennel of 120 Siberian Huskies spending winters on the runners of a sled. Last year we started our goal of long distance mushing and would be honored to be allowed to entered the Can-Am 250. I ran the UP200 last year but scratched at the 120 mile mark due to a team of very sick dogs.

Exit

Pepsi Bottling CAC 30

Nick Van Drimmelen
  • From: Jericho Ctr, VT
  • Age: 52
  • Occupation: director
  • Team Owner: Van Drimmelen & Maple
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Ivan; 3 year old male Siberian
    • Dawson; 2 year old male Siberian
    • Kiska; 10 year old female Siberian
    • Bramble; 10 year old male Siberian
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Can-Am 30; 29 place 2006
"My wife Barbara and I run our own four dogs with their siblings owned by Rhonda Maple. We run purely for fun for ourselves and the dogs. They show sheer pleasure when they see the harnesses come out.

I've finished every race I've entered. I have run the Sandwich Notch three times in the last 10 years and the Can-Am 30 twice, the last being in 2006. We were all actively involved in the organization of the Craftsbury True Companion race in Craftsbury, VT

We love the Can-Am races and especially enjoy meeting people through the adopt-a-musher program. We find the organization superb and the enthusiasm of the community for the race is so infectious that we just want to come back every year.

I work in the New York City area and commute back to Vermont on the weekend. Running dogs in the wilderness leaves all the stresses of work behind. Our other hobby is sailing. We own a trimaran that we call ‘Summer Sled'. It has a dogsled logo on the side.

We dedicate our running of this race to our first Siberian, ‘Alex', who took us down a path we never imagined, and to ‘Sooty', Rhonda's Siberian who ran in wheel with Alex, her true love."

Exit

Diane Marquis
  • From: St-Hugues, PQ
  • Age: 53
  • Occupation: farmer
  • Team Owner: Diane Marquis
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Whisky; 6 year old male Alaskan
    • Blanche; 2 year old female Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Defi amical Kempt 80; 3 place 2007
    • Can-Am 60; 5 place 2007
    • Can-Am 30; 2 place 2006
    • Daquam 3x18mi; 6 place 2007
"I have been dog-sledding for many years and have always enjoyed everything about it. I have participated in many races over the past years, and I'm hoping to do so for many more years. My goal is to improve on every race I run.

I operate my own maple syrup confections business. I'm also interested in hunting."

Exit

Kathy MacKay
  • From: Daniel, WY
  • Age: 49
  • Occupation: public works employee
  • Team Owner: MacKay / Mahoney
  • Lead Dogs:
    • Hooligan; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Wallace; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Emmet; 2 year old male Alaskan
    • Pint; 2 year old female Alaskan
    • Mulligan; 1 year old male Alaskan
    • Malarkey; 1 year old male Alaskan
  • Race Experience:
    • Longest: Midnight Run - Michigan (90mi); 15 place 2004
    • West Yellowstone - Montana (2x10mi); 1 place 04 - 05
    • IFSS World Champioship - Oregon (2x28mi); 10 place 2005
    • Green River Rondy - Wyoming (2x28mi); 12 place 06 - 07
    • American Dog Derby - Idaho (2x20mi); 1 place 2007
"I was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I attempted to educate myself at the University of Iowa but graduated with a degree in violin performance instead.

In 1994 I set out to walk the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. I had heel blisters for the first 300 miles. In Tennessee I met John Mahoney, and we walked the rest of the way to Mount Katahdin together. During this 2000+ mile hike we had the brilliant idea that going such a long distance would be easier if we had a dog team to carry the gear.

We have had sled dogs since 1996. The Can-Am Crown Race is the first race we ever entered. My husband raced in 1998, and of all the races we have been to since then we think of the Can-Am as the best.

In 2004 my husband and I went on a 6-week winter camping expedition of the Wyoming and Wind River Mountain ranges using our dog t