Girard takes first-day lead in sled dog derby

By ROGER AMSDEN, for THE LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — Quebec mushers took the top four spots on the opening day of the 88th World Championship Sled Dog Derby Friday.

Guy Girard of St. Thomas de Joliette, Quebec, holds a 15-second lead over former two-time champion Claude Bellerive of Charette, Quebec, heading into Saturday's second heat. Girard posted a 47:52 time and Bellerive stood at 48:07.

In third place, a minute and 15 seconds back with a 49:07 performance, is defending champion Rejean Therrien of LaPierre, Quebec. In fourth place with a time of 49:14 was Jean-Rene Saucier.

Top American finishers were Doug Butler of Bristol, Vermont, with a time of 49:34, followed by Eddie Clifford of Raymond, at 5:19.

Girard, who placed third in both the 2011 and 2013 races, is a retired oil refinery worker who has been a musher for over 30 years and keeps in shape in the off season by running in 26.2 mile marathons.

Taking the lead in the six-dog class is Fran Plaisted of Orford, who, with a time of 19:46, is 15 seconds ahead of Lockland Carter of Penacook, who came in at 20:01.

Jocelyn Bradbury of Oxford, Maine, 2014 six-dog champion, is third with a time of 20:17, followed by Eddie Clifford of Raymond at 20:19 and three-time six-dog champion Melanie Bellerive of Charette,P.Q., with a time of 20:26.

Racing resumes Saturday at 10 a.m. with the six-dog class and open class teams will get underway at 1:30 p.m. The same schedule is in place for Sunday.

Melanie Bellerive’s team races. (Adam Drapcho/Laconia Daily Sun)