Extreme cold and the running of the dogs

January 9, 2018

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The Equity

Simon Drouin rounds the first bend in the six-dog races of the Sunday.

The second Pontiac International Sled Dog and Skijoring Race took place over the weekend, seeing fiery spirits in racer and their dog teams flare up despite the frigid temperatures. Pictured, Luke Siertsema waits for the countdown at the starting line in a six-dog race on Saturday afternoon.

For many teams of dogs, the finish line was just another checkpoint, and racers had to hit the brakes hard to stop their team completely. Pictured, Brady McConkey comes up on the finish line in the Saturday race.

Racing dogs of all kinds were seen at the event, barking and eager to get running. Jenny-Lee Gauthier is seen pulled by her team of huskies on the Saturday afternoon.

When the canines were finally stopped, the cold was quick to show around their snouts, though they were more eager for a drink than a towel.

The cold was quick to show on people’s faces, too. Eric Rochon doesn’t get a chance to wipe off the ice on his beard while guiding his dogs through.

One of the few officials who had to be outside for most of the event, meaning they had to brave the wind, snow and cold all weekend, was the event marshal, who held everyone to appropriate standards of the international competition. Marshal Jim Cunningham, pictured, counts down the last five seconds before the next racer is let loose.

Donald Teuma-Castelletti
BRISTOL Jan. 6-7, 2018
The arctic temperatures came south just in time this year, ensuring the frigid weather would provide the backdrop for eager dogs, skilled racers and the sleds that kept them all together over the weekend.
Yet, the cold couldn’t keep dogsled racers from all over North America away from the second annual Pontiac International Sled Dog and Skijoring Race, where over 80 racers took to the track at Timberland Tours in Bristol.
“It’s been a very good turnout and we’ve seen lots of new dog teams, which is great for the future of the sport,” said Denis Rozon, event organizer and owner-operator of Timberland Tours. “Plus, we’ve continued to attract the top teams, which means we’ve got a great trail.”

Of course, the extreme cold was too much for a portion of racers, with Rozon receiving more than a few calls last Friday night.
“Last night, I had about 20 phone calls saying they weren’t coming,” said Rozon, with a shrug, on Saturday. “It’s too bad it’s so cold, but I have to take this weekend because all other weekends are taken.”
Since the event is part of an international series of races, further competitions will take place at other locations all over the world.
For those who did come though, the cold, dipping to -40 C on Saturday, was not about to stop them from racing on the strength of two-, four-, six-, or eight-dog sledding teams. Bundled up, with exhaled breath turned to frost on beards, eyelashes and balaclavas, there was no hesitation from racer or animal once the countdown was up and they were let loose. —
Once that racer was let loose, the next would then prepare for their turn as a minute countdown took place. Dog team owners, caregivers and event officials would always be needed to hold the lead dogs in place, and the process would repeat until all participants for each category had passed the starting line.
However, this event wasn’t just for the pros, as some new racers decided to try their hand at it, too. One such racer was Jean-Philippe Blier, a local from Bristol and an employee of Timberland Tours, who used some of Rozon’s dogs to compete in the four-dog race.
“My goal yesterday was to not show up in last place,” said Blier, on Sunday afternoon. “I caught up to the racer in front of me, and there’s a minute wait between each racer’s start, so I knew I was doing well.”
Blier did much better than not showing up in last place – he came in seventh out of 18 racers. An excellent feat, especially for someone who’s never competed and seemed to have the odds stacked against him.
“The first curve surprised me,” said Blier. “My feet weren’t comfortable and that’s your top speed at the beginning.”
It wasn’t just the lack of experience that was playing against him, though, but the dogs he wanted to race weren’t the number one picks by the pros, either.
He explained that when Rozon let him pick which dogs he would race, the leader he chose was believed to be too much of a hassle and temperamental.
“I sat and tried to connect with my leader,” said Blier.
The dog had been traded to Rozon from a different racer from last year’s event, who returned to compete again in the 2018 iteration. In the end, Blier was happy to say that with that dog, he was able to overcome its previous owner, achieving a true underdog story.
“Our dogs are well-taken care of,” said Blier. “We treat them good and they treat us good on the track.”

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