Patterson said she lost count of how many years she has raced in the Can-Am, but that this will at least be her 15th year. The mushers also get a chance to warm up and get something to eat at each of the four checkpoints on the 250-mile trail. “At the first checkpoint it’s important that we put down straw and lay them down, and give them a rest,” she said. The safety and comfort of the dogs is paramount, Patterson said. “The number one thing we do is pack snacks for the dogs,” she said. Veteran musher Ashley Patterson, 34, of Shirley helped send off her husband Mark on in his first 100 mile race before completing her own final checklist to ensure she and her dogs were prepared for the 250. “The weather cooperated, we have a good crowd,” said Can-Am President Dennis Cyr. The staging area near the starting gate was filled with more dogs than people as mushers prepared their gear and hooked up their dogs before the races.Īs the day progressed temperatures climbed to the lower double digits and scores of fans packed Main Street to cheer on their favorite dog sled teams.

Official Can-Am souvenirs also were for sale at the car dealership until 11:30 a.m. Irving sponsored a food tent which provided free hot dogs, hamburgers and chili prepared by Peter Pinette of Rocks Diner through late morning near Valley Motors on Main Street. Participants in the Pepsi Bottling and Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Can-Am Crown 30 headed out one at a time beginning at about 9:10, while the signature Irving Woodlands Can-Am Crown 250 kicked off around 10:20. Despite the temperature hovering at minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit, fans lined both sides of the street, which was packed with plenty of snow overnight to create the runway for the races. Can-Am Crown 100 left the starting gate beginning at 8 a.m.

Some very excited sled dogs ran down the middle of Main Street in Fort Kent Saturday morning pulling mushers behind them as the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races kicked off.Ĭompetitors and their dogs running the Willard Jalbert Jr. We need the young people to step up,” he said. “The average age of the trail crew is 64-66 years-old.

Winscan markers