| waiting list | waiting list | waiting list |
|---|---|---|
| . | Chloe Fesch | Scott Johnson |
| . | . | Gregg Vitello |
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After running a couple of sprint races, I feel my team is more suited to distance than Sprint racing, due to the fact we are a tour company and because of their breed, are more comfortable in a trot than flat out running.
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Nathan Schroeder
It's a long drive from Minnesota to Fort Kent, but it is well worth it. Your community rocks! I find myself at home out here in Fort Kent. The race itself is awesome! It's well worth the trip especially being out on the trail.
I have an interest in ice fishing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with my dog team!
Martin Massicotte
I've been dog sledding since I was 8 years old with the family dog. But I began to run long distance races in 1994 with the Labrador 400, and then the Can-Am Crown 250 in 1995.
Since that time, I have trained my dog team and come to Maine every year except in 2003, the year I realized my dream of racing the Yukon Quest, where I placed 6th.
I have won the Can-Am 250 four times; in 1998, 2002, 2005 and 2008. I like to come to Fort Kent for this exceptional race with its great organization and also to be with our great host family. THANK YOU for this great event!
Jean-Denis Britten
After racing 3 winters in the Yukon and Alaska, we are going on a road trip east. We will travel with 14 dogs across Canada, training at the same time. We'll leave Dawson around the end of October. Follow us on our website!
We have done expeditions along James and Hudson Bays for 800km along the coast with -50 degree temperatures and 80 km/hr winds…
Joseph Moser
I have run dogs for over 20 years - some would immediately think "what's wrong with you?" and honestly I have asked myself the same on many occasions! However until I am able to answer this question I will gladly spend all of my free time caring for and training these faithful companions. For what we the mushers receive in return is of immense value. I am truly in awe of these animals' drive, athleticism and heart and am left humbled after every run. Remember, the dogs don't know what place they finish - they run because they love it, and I am honored that I (the weakest link in the chain) am part of the team! I want to thank my wife Beth for her support, encouragement and commitment to make this happen. I would also like to thank the community of Fort Kent and surrounding towns for hosting such a top notch race. Finally thank you to JR and Melissa for graciously opening your home to our family. See you in March - Joe
I ran the Sandwich Notch 60 - but took a wrong turn and finally stopped 50+ miles into it due to the unusually warm temperatures. I have logged over 25,000 miles by dog team and am looking forward to another 25,000.
Rita Wehseler
Rita started running dogs after her return home from a 2 year mission trip to Africa. She met Paul Ellering and he introduced her to the sport. The rest is history as they say. Rita and her husband Bill now have 55 dogs and lots of puppies in their kennel. Rita and Bill's dogs are mostly out of Clair Seekin's bloodline. Rita and Bill run a dog sled touring business on the north shore Lake Superior. When not running dogs during the summer Rita can be found on the local softball field.
Andre Longchamps
Ryan Anderson
I have been running dogs my whole life and am looking forward to coming back to the Can-Am and trying to improve. I am a carpenter in the summer and a musher in the winter and would some day like to be a full time musher.
Daniel Bourassa
I have been running dogs since the age of 9 in the Laurentians of Quebec. I have participated in previous years in the Can-Am Crown, finishing 10th and have participated twice at the Yukon Quest. I am participating in this year's 250 mile race as a qualifier for the Quest so I can return there and finish the race.
I have made numerous sled dog expeditions on my own or with tourists in different parts of the Quebec province.
Jaye Foucher
Jaye has been involved with sleddogs since 2000, and racing since 2002. She has completed three Can-Am 250's and competed in many other mid-distance races, including the Beargrease Marathon, where she was awarded the Sportsmanship Award in 2008. Jaye lives in central NH with a kennel of about 26 Siberian huskies.
Rene Marchildon
I'm looking forward to coming back to my favorite race. Fort Kent rocks! My strategy this year is the same as every other year… go as fast as I can. I look forward to seeing everyone again. Keep up the good work, Can-Am Committee. See you soon. (P.S. I think Matt Carstens has enough little wooden sled trophies… LOL)
My folks own and operate Chocpaw Expeditions in South River, Ontario. With 400 dogs in our kennel, experience with sled dogs is inevitable.
Curt Perano
My wife and I moved to the USA in 2007 from New Zealand with a job transfer. With us we brought our 5 Alaskan Malamutes. Since then we have become addicted to the sport and especially the dogs. We now have 6 Malamutes and 31 Alaskan Huskies. This will be both mine and the team's third season racing.
All of my other racing experience was done back home in New Zealand, which was sprint racing. Sled dog racing is not very big back home....very different.
Frank Moe
Click for full photo!
My wife Sherri and I live near Grand Marais, Minnesota. We've been racing for a few years here in the Midwest and so many other mushers have said we need to come out and race the Can-Am. We're looking forward to our rookie year here.
Sherri and I were recreational mushers before doing a couple of mid-distance races in 2006 and 2007. We got hooked and have been focusing on racing ever since.
Ashley Simpson
Ashley is a professional Maine guide leading wildlife interpetation tours and fly fishing lessons in the summertime to guided sled dog tours in the winter. Two years ago she finished in 10th place in the Can-Am Crown 250 by joining kennels between Lone Wolf Kennel and Mountain Ridge Kennel. "We are looking forward to competing in this great race again. I have been breeding and racing dogs professionally for 8 years."
Mitch Ingerson
I am self-employed. I live with my wife Kricket, and 6 year old daughter, Gracie. My kennel is located in Jefferson, New Hampshire. I currently have about 60 Alaskan Huskies.
Gavin Baker
I always look forward to coming back to the Can-Am, and I am excited this year to be able to run a more competitive race schedule. I am also looking forward to lots of snow and cold temps at the Can-Am this season. Trail Dancer Kennels will also be running the Canadian Challenge 350 in Saskatchewan along with some other 100 mile plus races this year. I look forward to seeing everyone and catching up in March. See ya then...
Larry Murphy
Larry is a retired educator, principal and coach. He lives with his wife. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. This is Larry's 12th year mushing. He also loves fishing, hiking, camping, wife, children, grandchildren and each and every dog since 1999 and the great "Can Do" town of Fort Kent.
Christine Richardson
"I'm from Canaan, New Hampshire, work as a scientist in Biotech and live with 32 Alaskan huskies. I've been running dogs for 16 years. This year I'm coming back to the
Can-Am with a solid and experienced dog team, and I hope to have a great race."
Christine has also run in the Laconia Open Classic in 2000 and 2001 and lots of other smaller sprint races before becoming addicted to distance racing.
Lev Shvarts
Zachary Colby
I work for my family business of masonry. I live with my wife, Jill, in Lunenburg, Vermont. Thanks to Mitch Ingerson and NevaHome Kennels, I am able to train and learn from him at their kennel in Jefferson, New Hampshire.
Jamie Nelson
"My lifestyle as a musher has kept me occupied and having fun forever. My dream to run the Iditarod came true in 1989 after 5 successful Beargrease runs. The Yukon Quest called in 2002 and it is a never forgotten experience. Chasing dogs has been a lifelong journey. There are never-forgotten highs and lows, but through it all I wouldn't change a thing. Helping new people in the sport through our (Ann Stead and myself) Mushing Boot Camp has been a rewarding and challenging experience."
Jamie has run four Iditarods, one Yukon Quest, fifteen Beargreases and numerous mid-distance races in the lower 48 including Copper Basin 30 and the Kusko 300 among others.
Joe Gutowski
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I purchased my first 4 dogs in 2006 and now have 28 racing dogs. My dogs are from the following kennels: Alcan - Al Hardman; Natures Kennel - Ed Stielstra; Kanabear Kennel - Jason Barron; Comeback Kennel - Lance Mackey to mention a few. Four of my dogs raced in Al Hardman's Can-Am 250 team last year. I have run and finished the Seney and the UP 200. This year my team and I plan to run the Seney 400, the Race To The Sky 350, the Copper Dog 150, and the Can-Am Crown 250. I have heard wonderful things from many mushers about this race and look forward to a good run.
Until 2009 I had never run a race longer than 63 miles. In 2009 I started the UP 200 and completed 214 miles before being forced to withdraw when my 7th dog could not continue (you must have 7 dogs in harness when you reach the last checkpoint before the finish). Last year I ran the Seney (Al Hardman's Iditarod Qualifier). I ran it as a qualifier and was one of two mushers out of ten whom the Iditarod judge qualified. I finished in first place with all 12 of my dogs in harness. I was the only musher to finish with all 12 dogs in harness. The race does not allow any outside assistance from handlers. The musher must do everything. No water or straw is provided. The musher must carry his straw on his sled, melt snow, etc. I next ran the UP 200 as an Iditarod qualifier. I finished 17th with 10 of my 12 dogs and was qualified by the race marshal and the head vet. Al Hardman has been assisting me as I prepare for longer distances.
Caroline Morin
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This will be my third participation for this race, and most of my dogs will be doing it for the third time. I have mushed for almost 20 years now, and I still have this passion. My team is pretty much a core of dogs having all the same age (between 4 and 7 years). They have started to accumulate lots of experience now, and they know what everything is all about. I hope the 2011 edition is done in real winter conditions. My goal every year is to have fun with all my canine friends while improving my race results and learning something different every year. Good luck everybody and thank you to all the volunteers!
I have run the Labrador 100 in 2003 and 2005 and also the LGO in 2006. There have been lots of miles behind the dogs over 20 years of mushing experience. I hope to enter the Hudson Bay Quest in 2011.
Mario Racine
Krister Raasoch
This is Krister's first time at the Can-Am. He will be running a team from Nature's Kennel, owned and operated by Tasha and Ed Stielstra of McMillan, MI. He is a native of New Hampshire but most of his dog sledding experience comes from handling for the Stielstras in Michigan. Krister has run in the UP200 and Beargrease 150 sled dog races. This will be his fifth season working with sled dogs. He has two of his own dogs, Hairy and Art (formerly Stielstra dogs), that he does a lot of skijoring and bikejoring with. They will hopefully be leading his Can-Am team of Stielstra youngsters. You can find Krister and his team running tours at Sunday River Ski Resort this winter.
I've entered and finished the UP200 three times and the Beargrease 150 once. This will be my fifth season guiding and handling for Ed and Tasha Stielstra. I have also run tours for Alaska Icefield Expeditions in Juneau, AK. This winter I will be running tours with Stielstra dogs at Sunday River.
Al Hardman
I am 68 years old and retired. I am originally from Ontario and came to the USA to work. I started Hardman Construction in 1979 and sold the business in 2005 and retired to run sled dogs. I started running sled dogs in 1992 at age 50. I have five children and 11 grandkids. My wife does not like the cold so she spends most of the winter in Sarasota, Florida which means I spend so time in the south during the winter and make training hard. This will be my third Can-Am and plan on doing better.
Brendan Carey Block
Brendan has been running Siberians for eight years and has somehow managed to get his entire family completely hooked on dogsledding also. He started playing the fiddle at age ten, and when not training dogs he spends most of his time recording and performing with his bands, Annalivia and Matching Orange. Cars are a third passion and have now become his day job as a BMW and Porsche mechanic. When the snow melts he continues racing but trades in dogpower for horsepower in a BMW 3 series.
Kathy Lesinski
My husband, Bill, and I have 28 Siberians that we raise in Broad Brook, Connecticut, and I am one of only 2 racing mushers in the state. This will be my 6th year racing. I am back after taking a year off from racing to build up our kennel. I finished every race entered in 2009 in the top 10 including 10th place in the Can-Am 60 and 1st place in Stratford Nighthawks 40 mile sled dog race. Bill and I have a great team effort. He trains the pups and I train and race the season team. In the summer Bill will also catch bluefish off Long Island Sound to supplement the dogs' diet for the winter. I also train two Siberians in competition agility. One of my Siberians is the first one in New England to achieve her Master Agility Champion, which is the highest award available. Only 11 other Siberians in the country have ever achieved it. This will be my 4th time running the Can-Am 60.
I also raced the Midnight Run in Michigan, and Eldorado in Canada. In 2010 I did sled dog tours for Moose Lodge in northern New Hampshire.
Keith Sampietro
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Hello! My name is Keith Sampietro, owner and operator of the outdoor guide and dog sledding tour company, Montgomery Adventures, of Montgomery, Vermont. My love of dog sledding has brought me to do what my heart has wanted for a while...Race my Dogs. I have 7 years mushing experience and 3 years of guiding experience. My race sled and bags are all handmade by me.
Marc Alain
The Can-Am Crown is the best race I've done since I started racing. It's the reason I come back again this year. It's a great organization. I have 19 dogs in my kennel; 16 adults and 3 puppies. This year I have no expectations. I am doing the race for the pleasure only… no pressure. To all mushers, I'll see you in March. At this time I am taking care of my dogs and doing the best training I can. Have a nice winter!
I have been mushing since I was 12, with lots of expeditions on the St. Maurice Reserve in Qu%bec.
Rob Cooke
We have been racing Siberian Huskies in dryland sprint in Europe and mid distance racing in North America for about 12 years.
This will he our fifth year taking part in the Can-Am, having previously run twice in the 30 and twice in the 60. It is our most prestigious race of the year and the one race around which we base all our other racing and training. It is our aim to train for longer distances over this winter and with that in mind we wanted to enter the main team in the Can-Am 60 and have a team of younger dogs and yearlings entered in the 30.
Adam Collier-Ledrew
This is my first year dog sledding, and I am excited to enter my first race in Fort Kent.
Bonnie Tanguay
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Bonnie made her debut at the Can-Am 60 last year and surprised everyone by finishing the race with 8 healthy, happy, Golden dogs! This year she will be glad to get an introduction and be announced.
This year she is running some Alaskan Hounds and of course her AWESOME Goldens - They have prepared well and now that her dogs know what to do, she believes THEY WILL ROCK YOU!!!
Oh, and one more thing… Vive la résistance.
Kasey McCarty
First off I just want to say what a great race this is, and I want to thank all the volunteers and race officials for all the hard work and effort they put into this event! We all really appreciate it.
I have been doing this addictive sport/passion for 13 years now, with the past 4 years of racing mid-distance races in New England. I really enjoy being on the trail with my companions and watching them love what they do. The longer I am on the trail, the happier I am. Our goal as a team is to compete in the Can-Am 250 someday. It is an adventure throughout all the preparation, and we love every minute of it.
Dave Turner
Dave and his Oregon dogs are excited to race across the country again, competing with the best 8 dog teams from coast to coast. Their wonderful hosts at Fort Kent, and the Can-Am trail make this one of their favorite weeks of the year.
"This is my 7th season focusing on 6-8 dog mid-distance. I have raced in 12 states across the country and try to compete yearly in every region in the lower 48 states to compare my team to the best the 8 dog class has to offer."
Paul Boudreau
I've been mushing for 38 years, and I've been coming to Fort Kent since the first race. It's a great place to be in March to take part in this great race. See you soon!
Bill Wehseler
Bill started running dogs after he met his wife Rita. Bill has helped train and care for the dogs for the last 8 years. Two years ago he ran his first race here at the Can-am. He now runs the young up-and-coming dogs. He is getting them ready to step up to the main team next year. Bill works for the local tourist info center on the north shore of Lake Superior. When not found on the dog trails, Bill can be found in the bee hives.
Sophia Albert
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I spend most of my time at Tsali Kennel on Mount Desert Island, running sled dogs and working as a young adult mentor for Pulling Together, the kennel's non-profit youth program. I love the dogs, the sport, and the people. I spent last winter in Fort Kent putting miles on two dog teams for the Can-Am 30 mile race, and this year I'm excited to be running my own race. Thanks to Beebs and Becca for helping me train, and especially to Meg and Will for their incredible support. See you at the finish!
Becki Tucker
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My husband Kevin and I own 25 Siberians. Kevin is an extremely supportive husband who builds and fixes anything I need. Training and Racing is all me. I'm an independent multi-tasker who expects and enjoys training all 14 dogs on my own.
Our kennel is 3 acres of forest fenced in, and all dogs are together 24/7. We live our life like a wolf pack with the same rules, discipline and respect. These dogs are my family, my passion, heart and soul. It's not just about racing or training; it's about our commitment, dedication and loyalty to each other.
In October 2008 I suffered a serious head trauma (ventilator x 1 wk with a grim prognosis - shocking to many - I survived). Training in 2009 was minor, and even with the doctor's concern I chose to do a few races. The purpose: to train 5 yearlings. In 2010, due to financial and time constraints training was again kept minimal. This year we're taking it to a new level. The focus is on the team with nothing coming first or standing in our way. Time to start a new journey, appreciate the entire ride and shoot for the stars!
Kevin Quist
Kevin Quist is a Registered Master Maine Guide and Co-owner of Northern M.O.S.S. - Maine Outdoor School and Services. He started running sled dogs just three years ago when he met his partner, Lindy Howe. It wasn't long before he was hooked on the sport and the love of the dogs. Kevin has two children, Joshua, 10, and Carter, 8, who help out with the kennel and enjoy working with the dogs. They have already begun running their own teams and have run some shorter sprint races. Kevin enjoys working with Lindy while running Heywood Kennel Sled Dog Adventures and Northern M.O.S.S., offering educational programs such as Maine Guide preparatory courses, land navigation, wilderness survival and conservation camps for youth. Kevin also guides hunting, fishing and recreational trips. In addition to his role at Northern M.O.S.S., Kevin is the Regional Recreation Safety Coordinator for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for northern Aroostook County. In that capacity, Kevin coordinates and teaches recreation safety courses such as hunter safety, trapping education, boating safety,
archery and crossbow safety and is a range safety officer. Kevin enjoys the time on the trail with the dogs and the peace of the Maine wilderness.
His other experiences include Mushing Boot Camp 2010 and rides and tours with Heywood Kennel Sled Dog Adventures.
Eric Chagnon
I Like to be in the bush alone with my 4-1egged friends. I like hunting, fishing and trapping. I would like to finish in the top 5 with 8 dogs pulling my 100 pound sled full of required equipment!
Lindy Howe
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Lindy Howe, a Registered Maine Guide, has been training sled dogs for 17 years. After many years of enjoying sprint races with her children, she made the change to mid distance. She started off with Malamute/Siberian mixes and said she would never run Alaskans. After years of running Alaskans, she said she would never run Pointer crosses. Now she shares a kennel with Kevin Quist and owns Alaskan huskies and Pointer crosses. She loves all types of sled dogs for their unique differences. She and Kevin run Heywood Kennel Sled Dog Adventures in the winter and teach Maine Guide preparation classes in the off season. Lindy is also the animal control officer for Stockholm, Madawaska Lake, Cyr Plantation and New Sweden. Along with sled dog tours, she guides hunting, fishing and recreational trips.
Other experiences include: Down East Sled Dog Club Sprint Races from 2000-2008, The Maine Highland Sled Dog Club-Board Member Present. She was featured in an Aroostook State Park DVD for giving rides. She has also been involved with Mushing Camp for Girls 2010 and Mushing Bootcamp 2005, 2006 and 2010.
Marie-Eve Drouin
Je participe a des courses 60 miles depuis 2006 et j'adore cette classe mais j'espere pouvoir faire le saut au 250 miles au cour des prochaines années. J'ai une meute de 20 alaskan adulte et 10 chiots que j'adore. C'est la 3eme année que je vais courir la
merveilleuse course qu'est la Can-Am et je suis tres impatiente de revoir tout le monde. Vive la neige!!
David Punch
After hiking the Appalachian trail end to end with my German Shepherd dog and backcountry skiing in Colorado and Utah, I became interested in dogsledding. My girlfriend and I recently moved to Maine with our 16 dogs for better training opportunities.
I love to spend time with my dogs whether we are training in the forest or just doing chores in the kennel, but what is most rewarding is the bond that develops between man and dog and the trust they have in me.
In the future, I am looking foward to doing longer races.
Marla Brodsky
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Marla was a handler for Yukon Quest Champion & 10 year Iditarod Veteran, Aliy Zirkle in Two Rivers, Alaska (2008-2009). Owner and driver Hilltown Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures, W. Chesterfield, MA.
Wesley Baum
The Can-Am Crown race is awesome! This race, the town and the people are what make this race what it is. We, the mushers, really appreciate what you do for us. This is my vacation. The dogs and I head for Fort Kent, Maine, to race, see friends and have a wonderful time. A special thanks to my host family, Jim and Lisa O'Malley for sharing their home with me and the dogs and making us feel like family. Another special thanks to my wife, Sharon, for putting up with me running dogs, night and day, the pups, the new dogs and my being gone.
Kris Sampson
Kris was introduced to dog sledding at Chocpaw Expedition, where he has guided the multi-day expeditions for the past 4 winters. He was able to run a second team for Rene Marchildon the past years and is looking forward to building and racing his own team with Chocpaw dogs at this year's Can-Am.
Rico Portalatin
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I have 11 years experience with sprint and mid-distance. As always, it will be exciting to compete at the Can-Am once again. Our team will consist of mostly 2 year olds, so it will be interesting to see how they will do now that they are not squirmy little yearlings. We are hoping to have a camp in Maine by winter so that we can get plenty of training miles on the dogs this year. Let's hope for LOTS of snow this winter!
James Wheeler
I have raced in many races throughout Alaska, Maine, and Quebec. I live with my wife Ali and a Lab named Taxi, except in the winter when I seem to live in the dog-truck with the team. This will be my first Can-Am 60.
Other races: 2002 Fur Rendezvous, 2000 Copper Basin 300, Tustemena 200, Fireplug, Nenana Comeback, Tug bar 120, Ty Clark memorial race, and many other sprint races.
Gino Roussel
With my wife Fran's permission, we're back in Fort Kent again, trying our luck at the CAN-AM 60. She only agreed to this deal if, quote: "you're not such a nice guy on the trail. It would be nice once in a while for you to bring some money back home".
All kidding aside, this is our third year running the CAN-AM and we just love the great atmosphere created by the people of this beautiful community. It's always nice to come back and meet old and new friends.
Oh, by the way, the "Kid" and "Vixen" decided to hang up their harnesses for this year. I guess that with "10,000 miles" under their belt, they figured that it was time to let the young "snots" around the barn take their turns at pulling this musher through the backcountry of Allagash. Besides, they want to save energy for when we register for the "250" next year.
Good Luck to all mushers and remember to enjoy yourselves out there!
We run a dog-sledding business out of Baisley Lodges, where people and their dogs can come out and explore over 100 miles of trails. Not to brag or anything, but a client says we've probably got the best "trail system" in North America.
Bailey Vitello
I have so much passion for the sport of dog mushing! When you see me on the race trail with my team, we are truly one. My parents say I have as much energy as a sled dog, and if they could bottle it, they would be millionaires. As my race career continues, the trails will get longer and more challenging. I do hope that I can work hard to build my stamina & persevere. I do know this.......as a team we can do anything and mushing is all about trust, faith, hard work and most famous of all what you put into a team you get out of your team! I hope to one day fully possess and earn the respect that should always be given to these amazing creatures.
As musher / driver may my dogs trust me fully as I do them on every trail we ever run. May I, as the sled dog does, hold true and follow the advice I have learned from them; STAY ON TRACK- TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS - HOWL WITH YOUR FRIENDS - BE A LEADER- AMEN, Yeah HAW & God Speed!
Bailey has been on & in a dog sled since before he could speak, walk or eat solid food! As soon as he could drive, he almost always refused to ride. "I am a musher", he would say. "I don't ride, I drive." Dog Mushing is his past, present and future. Bailey is planning on racing the Jr. Iditarod next year in Alaska. He will be 14 and has been looking forward to it for a long time.
Jessica Holmes
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Hi, I'm Jessica. I have just recently started my own sled dog team this year. I am a full time nursing student at UMFK. I was first introduced to the Can-Am as community service by my high school teacher, Sarah Brooks, and ever since then I have been involved in the Can-Am every year as a dog handler in Fort Kent and Portage. The Can-Am has helped me overcome my fear of dogs, though I still become timid sometimes. Thanks to a couple of friends who encouraged me to race and who helped me so much, I have decided to race this year (Thank you!). Though I am just getting started and I am nervous, I can't wait! My team may be a little seasoned, but their passion for running is unbelievable! I love my team with all my heart, and I would not trade them for the world! I wish the best of luck to every one!
Joseph Tolley
I started off with two Sibes. I loved them so much that by the end of the first year I had 8 dogs and began dogsledding. Year after year I've increased my trails and sought out more challenging areas to ride. Over time and through the internet I met other mushers who have shown me different styles of mushing and introduced me to better trails and piqued my interest in racing. For seven years I ran Sibes and then learned about the Pointer/Hounds through another musher. I had 2 litters, a total of 12 pointer/hounds and love the fact that they're so fast and want to run. Seeing the difference between the performances of the pointer/hounds compared to the Sibes really inspired me to get involved in racing.
I have been mushing for 10 years; 7 years with Sibes and 3 with pointer/hounds. Although I have only officially entered two races I have experience in running long trails ranging from 30 to 80 miles throughout New Hampshire and Maine. I've traveled to Fort Kent, Maine for the past 4 years and have run the trails after the Can-Am 250 race up to 80+ miles. I have also been a handler 3 times during the Can-Am 250. In addition to running dogs, I built four sleds and a 12-hole dog box. I keep a great kennel of 16 dogs and have really found these pointer/hounds to be very competitive and excited about the sport, and I would like to provide them with the challenge that they desire.
David Imschweiler
I have been running dogs for ten years, but I have not been in races since 2005.
I have worked the Yukon Quest sleddog race as a volunteer.
I'm registered to run the Tahquamenon race on January 8th.
On January 21st, I'll be running in the Jim Lobdell Memorial invitational.
I am also registered for the Midnight Run in February.
Kevin Vandenbussche
I arrived 3 years ago in Canada and that's also when I started mushing. I started off as a dog sled guide on 2 to 7 day trips for Chocpaw Expeditions. This will be my first year racing.
Lidia Dale-Mesaros
We love the Can-Am! We are a tam of mixed, old school lines from Alaska. We are always in search of adventure and spending as much time together as possible on the trail and off the trail.
I have done some guiding and races since 2005.
Gabriel DuPlessis
Mes parents son Nancy et Stéphane Duplessis. Mes passé temps préféris sont des chiens de traineaux, la chasse, la pêche et la trappe.
MaryBeth Logue
Mary Beth lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, Chris, and her team of sled dogs. Her goal is to have a happy and healthy team of dogs and to show the abilities of the dogs from Cascade Kennel.
Mary Beth said, "I love the Can-Am and look forward to being in Fort Kent. Thanks to the Can-Am Crown Commitee for organizing such a wonderful event."
She enjoys spending time with and training her dogs, riding motorcycles, any outdoor activity, and her job as a school counselor at C.E. McCall Middle school.
Peter Franke
I started with one dogs in the year 2000 just to have a running companion while training for a marathon. That dog then ended up running the marathon with me in 2002. Over the years we did (and do) all kinds of dog powered sports.... skijoring, pulka, dog sledding, canicross, bikejoring and rig racing.
Now we own a small kennel, "SnowRunner", of 8 purebred Siberian huskies. In this year's SnowRunner team we will run the four yearlings and two 4 and 6 year old seasoned dogs. Since this will be just the second season for the four young dogs, the goal is to give them an excellent race experience and to bring them home as a happy, smiling pack.
Nick Van Drimmelen
The team comes from combining the pets of the van Drimmelen and Maple households. We run for fun and the dogs excitement when they see the harness come out of the sled bag. I have run the Can-Am 30 mile 5 times as there is no better race whether it is fellow mushers, our hosts, or the race organizers. We call ourselves weekend warriors as we do not train as hard as some others, but nonetheless we have finished every race we have entered. The team always enters an event with that incredible enthusiasm. Our approach to the sport over 13 years has attracted new mushers who build teams for racing. The carnival atmosphere at the Fort Kent races has excited and amazed our friends, many with p1ans to enter the race.
I have been racing since 1999, and have finished every race I have entered. I have raced the Can-Am 30 five times and the Sandwich Notch race four times (1999, 2002, 2003, 2009). I was on the organization of the Craftsbury VT True Companion races, running the kiddy musher event.
Kim Paradis
Caroline Blair-Smith
My husband, Andy Bartleet, and I spend most of the year running Outward Bound expeditions in some of the spectacular areas of Maine: the Mahoosuc Mountains, the Moosehead Region, and the coast. Outward Bound courses use the expedition "classroom" to enhance our students' character, leadership abilities and sense of service to others. In the winter, our canine characters use their leadership talents to instill in us a sense of service to them. Both programs are incredibly effective.
Our small guide service at our home in western Maine (Mornington Crescent Sled Dogs) provides day trips for the general public and longer expeditions for college outing clubs.
We enjoy the Can-Am Crown for its supportive community, professional staff and volunteers, and unbelievable trails.
Tracey Ackerson
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I have handled dogs for Heywood Kennels for the last 2 years, and was the kennel helper prior to that. The Can-Am will be my second race this winter. I am a Registered Maine Guide. I enjoy all types of outdoor activites and have enjoyed leaming all aspects of mushing from starting with kennel care, right up to standing on the runners. I love the peacefulness of being out with the team.
Penny Gray
Richard Block
Richard Block, of Antrim, New Hampshire, has been mushing for about eight years since inheriting the sport from his then teen-aged son. He is a Professor of Graphic Communications at Franklin Pierce University and a former ski touring center operator. He and his wife, Loranne, are raising and training Siberian Huskies as well as raising sheep for her wool business, Snow Star Farm. They hope to be able to retire someday and travel around the north country with their dogs to tour and race.
Dennis Cyr
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I have been racing sled dogs for 12 years. I competed in several Can-Am 60's and 30's. I have also run in the Eagle Lake 100. I am racing a team of first timers… hoping to finish in the top 2/3's.
Abbey Miller
I am looking forward to the opportunity of finally participating in the Can-Am as a musher instead of a handler/spectator!! My family and I always look forward to making the trip up north every year to compete. I want a first hand look at "the hill" that my mom and dad always talk about. My goal is to have a clean race and cross the finish line with six happy dogs and myself on the sled! I can't wait to finally participate in the Can-Am 30. See you all in March!!
Ann Stead
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As I am filling out this form in August, I can say that I am looking forward to bringing my team to the Can-Am 30. When we get down to the six that will be on my team, I am expecting a mix of young and inexperienced!! I always look for races that have a reputation of being well run and fun. That is the reason I picked the Can-Am to be part of the 20ll races that I attend.
Over the past decade, my husband, Al, and I have trained, and Al has raced in the Open Class races in both the lower 48 and Alaska. We do not field a large enough kennel to have two teams, so we put all of our energy into one BIG team! Some of the group I'll have with me trained for the Open North American Championships in Fairbanks, AK in 2009.
In the early 80's, I was a full-time trainer, and I provided a team for Disney Productions - the movie "Iron Will".
Holly Dionne
This will be my second year dogsledding with my sister. I handled for her last year.
Elizabeth Rankin
We had such a great time last year at the Can-Am that we are ready to do it again. Ta Dog Racing Huskies is a small kennel out of Starksboro, Vermont. The dogs are part serious athletes, part lazy house dogs. We train in the green mountains and help other mushers with tours occasionally. In the summers the dogs enjoy swimming, hiking, and being my running partners. I started my career at Thesewoods Kennel and Ingrid Bower in Underhill, Vermont as an intern. I then spent two summers in Alaska working with Alaska Heli-Much in Juneau. I now have my own team, and we have been enjoying learning about the sport and competing.
Hugh Wakker
Hugh and his wife Judy live in Scotland and have owned Siberian Huskies since 1995. They currently have 10 Siberians and a German Shorthair Pointer. One of their huskies was bred in New Hampshire in 2007 and moved to Scotland when he was 10 months old. Hugh regularly competes in dryland sprint races across the UK. Compared to races in Canada and the USA the races in the UK are short, with a 6 dog team usually running no more than 6 miles, but at a fast pace. To give him and their huskies experience of running on snow Hugh and his wife have twice taken their huskies to the French Alps to train with the sled. Scotland does not lend to have a lot of snow but over the winter of 2010 Hugh was able to train and race with the sled on snow for 3 months. Hugh is very grateful to Rob and Louise Cooke for giving him the opportunity to run their siberian hukies and experience the Can-Am race.
Other experience includes 15 years running siberian huskies in the UK and competing in dryland races over short distances of approximately 6 miles. Team size up to 6 dogs. Some experience of runnig 6 dog teams on snow in the French Alps and also racing and training on snow in Scotland over the extreme winter of 2009/10. Organizing dryland races in Scotland for 10 years.
Al Tarr
I'm a 63 year old excavation contractor. I've been involved with sled dogs for twenty-two years. I enjoy traveling with the dogs to different races, to meet new people and see new country. I also enjoy training the dogs in the fall with my grandson, Daniel. When I'm not with the dogs, I enjoy hunting and fishing. I'm also a Steelers and Penguins Fan. Go Pens! Go Steelers!
Besides racing, I've done some recreational cross country sledding and demonstrations at grade schools.
Terry Knowles
I have been mushing for over 25 years. For many years I did mostly 60 mile races all over the northeast. I have participated in around 15 Can-Am races. I have always had the goal of making training and racing fun for me and my dogs. In the past several years I have tried to mentor beginning mushers. My girlfriend and wife, Margie, has been a great supporter and great dog handler. My other experiences include doing sled dog demo at several schools and instructing a Mushing Basic course.
Melissa Onorati
This is my first race. I'm running the young dogs of the kennel. My husband, Lev Shvarts, has been racing for 5 years. We run the kennel together.
Joan Chapman
Joan has been running sled dogs for close to thirty years. She is the co-owner of Crittervoods Kennel, home of the Critterwoods snow hook. We have run many races and trained many miles over the years, and as the years pass us by it seems that now every run is special. Every dog in our kennel is a very special companion. Together we will do the 30 mile trail one more time.
Dog sled education through The Maine High Land Sled Dog Club for beginning mushers. This includes the Basics and Beyond training program as well as the East Coast contact for Mushing Boot Camp. Every winter Joan runs an overnight camping trip for novice mushers.
Fred Delano
I am an aircraft mechanic by trade. I am married to Heidi, and we have 2 daughters who have also run the Can-Am several times. Running and caring for our kennel of 19 dogs takes up most of our spare time, especially in the winter months, but I take time in the off season to fly my airplane and to travel Maine's roads on my new-to-me Harley. Our kennel has been racing at Can-Am for the past 8 years. I missed last year due to surgery, and our team entered with far fewer miles than ever before. But team Cedar Hollow is back and now boasts daughter Heather's new husband Darren and daughter Amy's significant other, Shon. They help log the training miles that keep the team in top shape.
I haven't raced in a few years but have logged several hundered miles each year with the team that my daughter, Amy, has raced. I did run 15 mile races at Critterwoods three years ago, when I ran our second team and finished in the middle.
Steven Davis
I have been doing recreational mushing for 3 years and decided to start racing last year. I have competed in both dry run and sled races. Mostly short distance races such as; East Meets West in MN, Fair Hill Challenge in MD, and the Tug Hi1l Challenge in NY. The Can-Am 30 will be my longest race to date. My wife Debbie and I are new to sled racing and operate a kennel of 18 Siberian Husk:ies. Our long range goal is to compete in the Can-Am 250 in two more years.
Ben Hoops
Ben has been teaching for Outward Bound for the past 15 years delivering expeditions in sailing, backpacking and winter travel. In 2003 Ben and his wife, Aimee, began to gatHer snuggly dogs and subsequentlY started operating Blockhouse Sled Dogs to provide educational Dogsledding experiences for residents and guests of Maine's mid-coast region. Ben and Aimee enjoy spending time in the "free range" kennel and on the trails of Maine and New Hampshire.
Ben's other experiences include delivering Outward Bound expeditions up to 8 days in length and winter camping with his wife. He also provides half-day and full-day experiences for clients.
Amy Dionne
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I have been dog sledding for 2 years. In the 08/09 season I handled and mushed for Yves Carrier, where I learned most of what I know now.
Amy Dugan
I live in the beautiful Moosehead Lake area of Maine, where the trails are awesome and the support of the sport of dog mushing from local people is incredible! My partner John and I love working with Alaskan's. Seeing how happy they are just to be out on the trail keeps us going! We have been running dogs for close to 25 years and have seen a lot of trail whether racing or training. We hope to see a whole lot more before we are done.
Torsten Linke
I was born in Germany in 1967 and have been a Husky owner since 1999. I have raced a lot of sprint races in Germany, then I moved to Canada in December of 2007 with all of our 6 dogs to give our dogs more space and put them in a better climate and to start racing longer distances in the future. At this time I own nine dogs. Six of our dogs are out of shelter kennels.
I have raced in approximately 30 sprint races in Germany between 2002 and 2007. I have not raced since 2008.
Anastasia Seyer
Anastasia always wanted a big family - and has achieved that with her "fur" kids. Her kennel consists of 13 dogs - a blend of performance dogs and rescue dogs and while not every dog races, every dog does have a job - from activities director to coxswain to cuddlebug! Initially interestcd in skijoring with dogs, Anastasia soon realized that knowing how to ski was an important skill that she did not possess. Shortly after that a sled was purchased and Brinbella Kennel was born. Though she has been working with her own dogs for few years now, she still considers herself a beginner. After handling at a variety of races, she finds herself at the start behind her own dogs for a change! Anastasia is very excited to participate in the Can-Am experience as a musher this year. Her dogs will be happy after the race as well. She's promised them cookies and post-race massages!
Anastasia has handled at the Beargrease 400, the 2009 Can-Am 30, and the 2010 Can-Am 60. She plans to do the Will Cowie run again and the Greenville 30 prior to the Can-Am.
Linda Powers
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Linda started mushing when she retired from teaching. Even though she lives in the south, she claims to have a northern soul, having been born and raised in Maine and having spent a year living in Alaska. Becoming a recreational musher was always her dream, so she decided to go against all odds and found a way to run dogs living on the eastern shore of Maryland. She sometimes trains on the beaches of Assateague to help the dogs build strength, but she does most of her training at the Fair Hill Training Center outside of Newark, Delaware. Linda enters short races just for fun and has just started working on mini-mid distances. Running in a 30 mile event has been her ultimate training goal, and she is thrilled to be able to do that in her home state of Maine.
"I generally participate in the Fair Hill Dryland Challenge in Maryland in December.
I have attended Mushing Boot Camp in Maine and the Mushing Sled Dog Basics organized by The Maine Highlands Sled Dog club. I have also done the fun runs at the Brownville KI Sled Dog Race. My favorite snow trails are the New Brunswick trails my friend Gino Roussel maintains in Saint Jacques and the trails of the Winona Forest on the Tug Hill Plateau in NY."
Maggie Wey
This will be my second try at running the Can Am 30 after taking a year off to let my young dogs mature a bit. I am looking forward to this event. This is the highlight of my winter - I love this race and the people who make it happen!
I spent last winter just running my dogs. I love being out on the trail with my best friends, doing what they enjoy doing.
Ronald Bates
I have been running sled dogs for 20+ years for pleasure. I have recently retired and wanted to run the Can-Am. I have been coming as a spectator and handler for the last 15 years and love the race.
Andy Bartleet
Andy co-operates Mornington Cresent Sled Dogs with his wife Caroline, who will be several miles ahead on the trail as usual. During the winter Andy helps train dogs, general kennel chores, building sleds and repairing equipment, as well as guiding full and half day tours in the Western Mountain area near Bethel Maine. In the non snow months Andy is the program manager for Outward Bound's Mountain center, running wilderness canoe backpacking and climbing expeditions in Northern Maine and New Hampshire. Andy's race experience has mostly been skijoring, including the Sandwich Notch 20 mile and Stratford Nighthawks 2 x 15 mile. He has also been guiding for the 10 years.
Each race is limited to 30 teams. Rules are posted on July 15. Entry forms are
posted on August 1. Applications received before the random drawing on August 22 are
treated as if they were all received on the day of the drawing. While encouraging
early applications, this system also allows time for applicants to read the rules,
fill out entry forms accurately and completely, and find a way to submit their
applications by fax, snail mail, or other means.
On August 22, the Can-Am Crown Directors meet for the initial drawing of bib
numbers. For example, if 50 acceptable applications for a race have been received
by that date, then there would be 50 numbers drawn for that race. Directors use a
lottery ball machine to pick bib numbers as they go down the list of applicants. Bib
numbers 1 through 30 become confirmed entrants. Numbers greater than 30 are put on
the waiting list in the order drawn.
After the drawing on August 22, numbers are assigned in the order that acceptable
applications are received.back to the top... The Can-Am Crown would like to thank the volunteer biographers and editors:
Gale Flagg and Stan Flagg,