March 27, 2008

Submitted by Bill Ashby, University of Maine Fort Kent, Athletics Director and Men's Soccer Coach

In early March with temperatures in the single digits and a prediction of 12 inches of snow on the way, the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) men's soccer team members guided world class athletes to the starting line for the 16th Annual Can-Am International sled dog race.  

The University of Maine at Fort Kent men's soccer team volunteered as dog handlers and event setup crew for the one of the marquee sled dog venues in the lower 48 states.  The Can-Am 250 mile race is a qualifier for the renowned Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska.  

The Can-Am, which is held in Fort Kent, Maine each year, sponsors a 30 mile race, 60 mile race and the 250 mile Iditarod qualifier race.  With an estimated 5000 people lining the snow covered Main Street of Fort Kent, the 90 Mushers and 1000 dogs were treated to loud cheering and an air of excitement as they started their race, which offers over $40,000 in prize money.

Emlyn Jacoby of Johannesburg, South Africa, UMFK soccer team captain, was one of the starting gate dog handlers.  "My job was to help bring the dog teams from the staging area to the starting gate.  Once the dogs were hooked into their harnesses, it was all I could do to hold them back, they were ready to run.  It took several handlers per team to hold the dogs back.  I was very surprised by their strength and focus to compete.  These dogs are true athletes."

Andre Anderson and Barrington Blake of Jamaica were also dog handlers for the 90 teams.  "I had a great time handling the dogs, these dogs are crazy with excitement, I couldn't believe how fast they are and how far they can run," said Blake.  "When Coach Ashby told me we were working the dog race I was a little nervous, before this race I was not a dog lover, but these dogs are something else.  I would love to be a dog handler next year as well", said Anderson. 

"We had to have a dog team to the starting line every two minutes," said Dwayne Smith of Jamaica.  "There was no trouble in getting them to the starting line, but it was all you could do to keep them there until the count down," said Smith.

To learn more about the race click here.
To learn more about the University of Maine at Fort Kent click here.