Mushers and their dogs are back on the trails in Fort Kent after last year’s event was canceled because of warm weather.
FORT KENT, Maine — The Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races were back in full swing the first weekend of March in Fort Kent.
More than 50 mushers and nearly 900 sled dogs from across North America were competing in races spanning 30, 100, and 250 miles.
“It brings people together from both countries—Can-Am representing Canada and America,” Sarah Brooks, Can-Am Crown vice president, explained.
For mushers, success on the trail depends on more than just skill. It’s about the connection with their dogs.
“It’s kind of like a symbiosis when we’re with our animals,” Katherine Langlais, a musher from New Brunswick, said.
Langlais made history in 2023 as the first woman to win the 250-mile race, and she returned this year to defend her title.
“It’s kind of like coming back home, coming to what we love. And once you do it, you’re gonna get hooked,” she added.
Fort Kent native Piper Ashley has also gotten hooked, but this year’s race is particularly special. At age 15, she is the youngest competitor ever in the 100-mile race.
“When you’re on the trail, they love what they do, and I love that,” Ashley said of the dogs.
While the goal is always crossing the finish line first, race marshal Jim Cunningham said the rough terrain and conditions make finishing any of the races an accomplishment in itself.
“When you say Can-Am, everyone knows it’s a tough race, up and down all these mountains and through the fields and things like that,” Cunnigham added.
In addition to the challenging terrain, mushers are also racing a minimum of two hours and a maximum of nearly 40. The 100- and 250-mile race participants are even required to rest overnight.
“The 250-mile race goes from Fort Kent to Portage to Rocky Brook to Silver Camp to Allagash,” Cunnigham said.
To finish races on such mountainous trails, there are some tried and true musher strategies that racers say help make things go as smooth as possible.
“I put my bigger dogs at the back, but I can’t put the really fast dogs in the front because they set the speed too fast,” Ashley shared as an example.
When it comes down to it, though, Ashely and the other mushers said the most important thing is the unbreakable relationship they share with their dogs.
“When my dad used to sled, he told me this dog would never be a lead dog—but he just didn’t like my dad. Now, he’s the best leader I’ve ever had,” she said while gearing her team up.
If you’re interested in following the results, standings for each race can be found on Can-Am’s website here.
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