2nd generation musher takes top honors in Sled Dog Derby, continuing family legacy

LACONIA — Musher Alexandra Therrien, of Quebec, made history with a win in the World Championship Sled Dog Derby this weekend. Therrien is now part of a father-daughter duo of champions, as her dad, Rejean Therrien, is a former winner.

Spectators from near and far gathered at the finish line of the 97th Annual World Championship Sled Dog Derby throughout the weekend, catching a bit of history, as Alexandra captured her first win in the unlimited class, continuing a family legacy going back four generations. Rejean, who placed ninth, was racing a team of dogs owned by his other daughter, Emilie Therrien.

Women swept the classic, as Oksanna Desnoyers, of Quebec, won the three-dog race, and Nova Clifford, of Pembroke, took first in the six-dog event.

Alexandra has competed in the derby twice, and this time she led from the start, with a fantastic Friday time of 49:02 minutes, to set her ahead of the pack, and putting her 47 seconds ahead of Justin Fortier, of Quebec.

As she was getting her dogs ready for Day 2, she said she needed to step it up a notch, to continue toward a victory.

“I had some trouble yesterday, so I am very happy to be in first place today,” Alexandra said Saturday, just before her second run. “The dogs did really great on the trail yesterday with the sun, so I am happy, and hope I have a good run today.”

Alexandra posted the second-best times on both Saturday and Sunday, 49:53 and 48:49 minutes respectively, with Fortier clocking in at 49:45 and 48:29 minutes, to lead both days. The huge first day turned out to be the difference maker for Alexandra, who walked away with the title, with a total time of 2:27:44 hours.

“I made a wish, maybe a week-and-a-half ago, to win Laconia, and my wish is real now,” Alexandra said during the award ceremony. “I would like to thank my father, my mother, and all the family who helped me get here. It’s an honor for me to win Laconia. Seriously, it was my first goal this year to be here and win this race. I think it’s been a while that a woman won here.”

For the unlimited race, Fortier placed second, with a total time of 2:28:03 minutes; Steve Jaillet, of Mason, was third with 2:30:57 hours; Jean-Rene Saucier, of Quebec, placed fourth clocking in at 2:35:20 hours; Stephane Roy, of New Brunswick, was fifth with a time of 2:37:10 hours; Jake Golton, of Quebec, was sixth with a time of 2:38:06 hours; Bernard Saucier, of Quebec, was seventh with a time of 2:41:38 hours; Christine Vaillancourt, of Quebec, was eighth with a time of 2:43:01 hours; Rejean Therrien was ninth with a total time of 2:43:07 hours; and Zachary Gordon, of Madison, clocked in at 2:49:55 hours, for 10th place.

In the three-dog junior championship, Desnoyers won with a combined time of 13:17 minutes; Charlotte Saucier, of Quebec, was second with a time of 15:41 minutes; and Eduard Saucier, of Quebec, rounded out the top three, with a time of 17:21 minutes.

The top three for the six-dog race was Clifford with a three-day time of 45:09 minutes; followed by Simon-Pierre Saucier, of Quebec, at 45:18 minutes; and Karine Tremblay, of Quebec, placing third with a time of 47:01 minutes.

Trail Boss Jim Lyman was excited for Alexandra’s win. Rejean has now been racing for 49 years, and before that, Lucien Therrien, Alexandra’s grandfather, competed in the World Championship Sled Dog Derby.

“There is plenty of sled dog racing in that family,” Lyman said. “Bigtime mushers. I talked to Rejean’s wife, and she had tears in her eyes. It’s awesome, and pretty emotional for them.”

Alexandra may have competed against her father throughout the weekend, but they shared immense pride for their experiences on the snow with their family. Rejean doesn’t speak English, but Emilie translated for him to be able to share his thoughts about the derby, and what it takes to come out on top, as he has done twice before.

“He said that the course is very fun, and it is always keeping you on your toes,” Emilie said, standing next to her father. “There are corners, so you have to be focused on your team. To win here, you need good dogs, but consistent dogs.”

Rejean looked over at Alexandra and smiled, as he watched her taking care of her team of dogs to get ready for the next run.

“It’s funny, because this has gone generation to generation in our family,” Emilie translated for Rejean. “This is a proud moment for him. He says there are a lot of emotions for him.”

While the top two in the unlimited race came from north of the border, third place went to someone more local. Jaillet traveled to Laconia from Mason, about 1.5 hours away from the starting line.

Jaillet started racing dogs competitively only a few years ago, and this was his third time racing in Laconia. He was in third place heading into his second run, and said he was hoping to make up some time and fend off the mushers behind him. He said Friday’s trail conditions were “super soft,” but he expected things to speed up through the rest of the weekend.

One thing was for certain, there was plenty of snow.

“It’s beautiful,” Jaillet said. “About time, right?”

Lyman agreed with Jaillet, who was excited about having two straight years with a solid course. Most importantly, it was a year with phenomenal weather that brought the spectators out en mass.

Maddie Thompson, and her children Aurora and James, drove from Sanbornville to see the derby for the first time. They moved from Washington about a year ago, and wanted to see what it was all about, as they’re all dog lovers.

Rick and Nancy Levinus came from Franklin, there to cheer on Clifford in the six-dog race.

“We’re dog and cat people,” Nancy said. “It’s fun to see the different teams. They’re so excitable. It’s a unique, northern event.”

Friday’s weather was bright and sunny, and attracted a crowd, which lined up to watch the start of the open class race. Then on Saturday, with some flurries, vehicles were parked up and down Parade Road near the finish. Spectators could be found at the Laconia Country Club and throughout the rest of the course, as well.

The excitement was high as the mushers sped by, offering waves and high-fives. Lyman estimated thousands of people watched the races throughout the weekend.

“It was very successful, and one of the biggest years for spectators that I’ve seen,” Lyman said. “The mushers love seeing all the people, and they can’t believe there are so many around who just enjoy the sport. They aren’t used to seeing so many.”

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