The Canadian Challenge was cancelled back in December. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

premiere event

Canadian Challenge cancelled due to rise in coronavirus cases

Jan 4, 2021 | 1:21 PM

The cancellation of the Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race planned for Feb. 17 marks the second time in 24 years the premiere event couldn’t be held.

“We’ve seen the COVID numbers going up and the board felt it wasn’t in the best interest of the race and the mushers to keep going or try to get it going,” Chairperson Stefaan De Marie said. “This is the second time in history the Challenge has been cancelled. Quite a few years ago we cancelled it due to poor weather conditions.”

De Marie explained because of the coronavirus, there were a number of aspects of the race that wouldn’t be possible. For instance, he said the social aspect between mushers and volunteers is just as important as the race itself.

De Marie also noted it was crucial to cancel the race early to ensure mushers had notice and no unnecessary work would be done.

“They do understand it was pretty much necessary to make the decision a little sooner than later,” he said. “At this time of the year, the Canadian Rangers in La Ronge or the other crew from the southern part, they’ll start going out and working on the trail.”

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A number of changes previously occurred with the race format and distances mushers were to travel. Examples included shortening the race to end in La Ronge before making the northern loop through Grandmother’s Bay and Stanley Mission, as well as reducing the standard 10-dog race to eight.

If the race had gone on as planned, there would have been an increase in the number of mushers participating in the race since the border between Canada and the United States remains closed. De Marie is hopeful there’s as much interest in 2022 as it will mark 25 years since the race’s inception.

“Hopefully, they’ll come next year,” he said. “It’s our 25th year of the Canadian Challenge, so we’re hoping to put something out – something special. I’m hoping we can still at least welcome a big field.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno