Introduction

The Can-Am Crown organization was founded on October 16, 1992 as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Maine. It was established to provide a mid-distance sled dog race to a growing community of mushers from throughout the international region and to enhance the region's image as a travel destination. The Can-Am Crown 250 has rapidly gained popularity as the longest sled dog race in the eastern United States.

1993

Our first 250 mile race began on Tuesday, February 16, 1993. Weather conditions became very severe during the race. A blizzard swept in and dropped 15 inches of snow during the first 24 hours. This was followed by strong northwest winds that dropped the temperature to 32°F below zero. Nine teams from Maine, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick competed for the $10,000 purse, which was raised entirely through local contributions, many in small donations from individuals.

1994

On Saturday, February 19, 1994, the 250-mile race attracted 16 contestants plus one ski-jorer (Barry Dana), but the weather was extremely abnormal for February. The temperature was 20°F on Saturday morning, but by afternoon it had risen to a freakish 60°F, making the trails soft and slow. Overnight temperatures remained above freezing and began to rise rapidly the next morning. Both races were concluded early due to deteriorating trail conditions and dangerously thin ice on the St. John River.

Only three of the teams had reached Maibec, 160 miles into the race. The $10,000 purse was divided among the12 mushers with the best times to checkpoint #3 (Maibec) and checkpoint #2 (Musquacook)

On Sunday, 11 dog teams competed in a newly introduced 60-mile race. The first half of the race was run for 30 miles up the St. John River as far as Allagash, then the race was halted because of thinning ice.

1995

In 1995 weather conditions were nearly perfect. The temperature on the morning of the start was about 18°F. Though the temperature did climb into the low 40's by afternoon, the weather cooled off quickly, and the overnight temperature stayed in the low teens. Running conditions were good overall.

1996

Pre-race conditions were far from ideal. A heavy, wet snowstorm in January raised havoc with the trails. Crews of volunteers had to hack their way into trails which were often completely obscured by bowed trees, brush, and branches. At times it seemed almost hopeless, but the job was done in time for the race to start with a bang on Saturday, February 17. Unfortunately, because of scheduling conflicts with midwestern races, only five teams and one ski-jorer attempted the Can-Am 250. Sixteen inches of light powder fell during the first day, making the start picturesque but the going tough for all teams involved. Following the storm the temperature dropped to -20°F during the night and 0°F during the day --perfect weather for sled dogs, but not so comfortable for humans. Trails were excellent and all teams that started finished. Immediately following the race the winter's second meltdown occurred!

1997

Heavy late-winter snows in northern Maine created excellent conditions for the 1997 races. They started on March 1, two weeks later then the traditional President's Day weekend date. The events included the 250-mile race, the 60-mile race, and also a new 30-mile race to attract more local teams. The later date helped to avoid conflicts with other races on the same date. As a result of the new schedule and increased purses (nearly $20,000 total), 52 teams entered the three races.

1998

The 1998 races started on February 28. To enhance the excitement, Can-Am Crown added 5 stage prizes of $1,000 each for the 250-mile race. The races got off to a great start, but, as time wore on, El Nino whittled away at the trails. By Sunday, stream crossings became dangerous, and a section of trail was diverted to plowed woods roads on the third leg of the race. As temperatures climbed, the ice and snow on the plowed roads became scarce. Several teams scratched, but 7 teams finished the race and were well rewarded for their valiant efforts. The following weekend saw a return to ideal conditions.

1999

On March 6, 1999, the three Can-Am races were blessed with a total turnout of 55 teams (more than 400 sled dogs) packing the starting lines in Fort Kent and St. Francis. The races got off to a very fast start, but because of slippery ice on St. Froid Lake the sixteen contestants in the 250-mile race were rerouted onto snowmobile trails on the leg to Portage.

2000

Although it rained in Fort Kent the night before the race, a 35" base of white gold reassured mushers. On race day, Saturday, March 4, 54 teams rejoiced under a brightly overcast sky. A few miles to the west of Fort Kent, in St. Francis, where the 30-mile race was to start, a surprising 6"-8" of new, wet snow had compromised the well-packed and groomed trail. The 30-mile racers were then met with the challenge of breaking trail for the first 15 miles or so. The snow-bowed tree limbs and bushes were a beautiful sight that some mushers enjoyed, while others did not. It was a photographer's delight.

Starting from Fort Kent, the 250 and 60-milers had easier conditions, but relatively mild temperatures did not firm up the trails well. Dogs and sleds were well supported, but drivers occasionally punched through. Ice was thick and firm on lakes and rivers, so crossings were not a problem.

During the races temperatures held in a narrow, above-normal range between 20° and 33°F. As the last two finishers came in on a sunny Tuesday morning, the overnight temperature of 17° rapidly gave way to a balmy, spring-like 45°F. (By the next weekend temperatures had dropped to near 0°.)

2001

On March 3 a record number of teams (26) started the long trek in the 9^th annual Can-Am 250 Sled Dog Race. Firm trails, record cold temperatures (-26°F), and a lot of determination helped Keith Aili set a new course record.

Rita Lensing became the first woman ever to cross Can-Am's 250-mile finish line, capturing 7^th place in the race. She was tortured by a bad back throughout much of the race and was whisked off to the hospital by ambulance when she reached the finish. Lensing won a sportsmanship award for helping Karen Land catch up with her lost team, which had surprised the staff at checkpoint #2 by arriving without a driver.

For the first time, all three Can-Am races started and finished in Fort Kent. The 60 and 30-mile races were very successful, with 20 and 28 starters, respectively

In the CAC60, Mark Akester's young dogs quit about 15 miles from the finish. Mark, George Pooler (crossing guard), and Dana Pinette (sweep), took turns walking the dogs out to an access road in a five-hour marathon that lasted late into the night.

In a freakish accident, Jane Sutherland, in the CAC30, slipped near the finish line, fell against her sled and suffered a broken collarbone. Despite the mishaps, enthusiasm for the race was very high.

2002

Race day, Saturday, March 2, 2002, opened with sunny skies and temperatures in the single numbers, rising to the mid 20's later in the day. Considered scant in this part of the country, the two feet of snow on the ground was enough to form excellent trails on most of the course. Rising temperatures and briefly heavy rains on Sunday night dampened the enthusiasm of some of the 250-milers, but by Monday morning temperatures had dropped back to the teens and trails were hard and fast. A total of 84 teams entered the three races. Trails, signs, maps and organization received rave reviews in spite of the weather vagaries. The 8:00a.m. start for the 60-milers brought them into the finish between 1:50p.m. and 7:16p.m., two hours earlier than the usual 10:00a.m. start, which was greatly appreciated by sweeps, crossing guards, and spectators. The 30-milers started at 9:00, followed by the 250's at 10:00a.m..

2003

During the 2003 race temperatures ranged from -11°F to 30°F. A 12" snowstorm that was forecast for Sunday night fizzled into a mere 2" of powder, but high winds and below zero temps created uncomfortable conditions on Monday. Winds of 35mph with gusts up to 50mph produced frequent whiteouts, obscuring some of the signs on the well-marked trails. No one lost the trail, but one musher temporarily lost his team on the first leg of the race. Lots of snow and consistently cold temps in the months before the race made it impossible for the trail crew to firm up the trail as much as they hoped, although it was packed and groomed several times. The loose footing and severe drifting slowed the teams somewhat, especially on the last leg of the race. Despite the harsh conditions, mushers had enthusiastic thumbs up reviews for the trails.

2004

On Saturday, February 21, 2004, the races opened with overcast skies and temperatures in the low teens. For the most part, trails had a light coating of fresh snow over a firm base, but 8-12" of snow fell on the fourth leg of the 250-mile race, causing a marked slowdown of teams on that leg. Significant snowfall was confined to that area, so teams picked up considerable speed on the last leg. The moose liked the trail, too, punching hazard holes into some stretches. Temperatures stayed in a fairly narrow range from 10°F to 25°F. Winds averaged 9mph to 15mph.

Overcast, light snow, partly cloudy, and clear periods alternated throughout the race.

2005

The races started very smoothly on Saturday, March 5, 2005, with a full roster of 30 teams in each race. Weather was fabulous at the start --- calm and sunny with a temperature of -6°F. Temperatures remained between -6°F and 25°F throughout the race. About 1:00am on Sunday, we felt the effects of an earthquake originating in Canada just south of the St.Lawrence River. Light to heavy snow moved in on Sunday, then Monday was again clear and cold, but on Tuesday we were hit by a major snowstorm that dropped over two feet of powder on the trails. This brought the snow level in Fort Kent up to 56 inches on the ground. The trail crew was hard pressed to keep up with the grooming, and mushers who did not finish before the snowfall found the going very difficult.

2006

Beginning on Christmas day, a huge snowstorm blanketed the St. John Valley with up to 39 inches of heavy snow in a 48 hour period. This set the stage for another great Can-Am Crown race season.
On Saturday, March 4, 2006, Fort Kent's Main Street was again thronging with spectators cheering the starts of 81 teams.
Weather was fair throughout the races --- mostly sunny with temperatures ranging from 8°F to 29°F. Snow depth was more than adequate, and trails were firm and fast.
Several scratches in the 250-mile race were due to sickness and lack of training opportunities in other regions where snow was scarce. There were no scratches in the 30-mile and 60-mile races.

2007

Eight inches of snow fell the night before the races, providing twice as much cushioning as we really wanted. The trail crew was out Friday night and early Saturday grooming the trails, which were mostly soft but not punchy.
Race Start: Saturday, March 3, 2007. On the first night of the race, a total eclipse of the moon was visible (dim orange) through breaks in the partly cloudy sky. Weekend temperatures held mostly in the 20's, but Monday the temps fell and wind started to pick up. Late Monday and early Tuesday were below zero with visibility limited occasionally by strong gusts that whipped up the snow. Weather alternated between fair and flurries.
The 250-mile race had perhaps the most exciting finish in Can-Am Crown's history. Three-time winner Don Hibbs was in the lead throughout most of the race, but 9 miles from the finish he was passed by Rick Larson. Then Rita Wehseler passed Hibbs just 1/2 mile from the finish. She came speeding across the finish line shortly after Larson and was overjoyed to be the first woman to win second place in the grueling 250-mile race.

Summary Statistics

A comparison of some of the 250 mile race statistics is offered below. They need to be viewed in the context of the great variability in running conditions. Completion of this long and challenging race has been accepted as a qualifier for the Iditarod race in Alaska.

Web Co-Author Stan Flagg