Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race

Tuesday February 22, 2010 marked the start of the 14th Annul Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race.  19 teams left from the starting line on Central Avenue and 11th Street in downtown Prince Albert.  The Junior team and 3 open class teams finished the race at Elk Ridge Resort in the wee hours of Wednesday morning....think the last team checked  in at around 3:35 am.  The 8 dog teams are still racing from Prince Albert to La Ronge and the 12 dog teams are racing from Prince Albert to La Ronge to Grandmother's Bay and back to La Ronge. 

At 10:40pm Wednesday night the first 12 dog team was heading across Lac La Ronge Lake...the current temperature is -23 Celsius but with the Windchill it feels like -35 Celsius...it is bitterly cold coming across that lake.  The mushers are coming straight into the wind.  I tell ya I sure appreciate my job as photographer....I get to sleep in a warm hotel room tonight.

Here are few pictures from Tuesday and Wednesday.

His Honor Lieutenant Governor Gordon Barnhart our official race starter.  He also lite the ceremonial red lantern that burns for the duration of the race and is ceremonially blown out by the last musher to cross the finish line.

 One of the many dogs resting up for the race.  Isn't she beautiful?

Lieutenant Governor Barnhart with the Munro Family....father and son both raced this year.

Team #5 Luke Nabor waiting to leave the starting line....his team of dogs were itching to get out and run.

The last three teams arriving at the White Star Road crossing.

The first team to arrive at Elk Ridge Check Point

Even Aaron's dogs were wanting to keep on racing!

Here are a few photos of teams on the trail Wednesday morning.

Waiting at the Weyakwin Check Point for teams to arrive.

Corinne~