'The greatest show on show': Mushers arrive to compete in 97th Annual World Championship Sled Dog Derby

LACONIA — Mushers have arrived in Laconia for the 97th Annual World Championship Sled Dog Derby, for a 13.5-mile course in the best condition in recent memory, thanks to Mother Nature.

“Right from the start, this first day is perfect,” Trail Boss Jim Lyman said Friday, the first of three days of the event. “The snow is good, the weather is good for everybody. It is cool and there’s a nice breeze, so that is good for the dogs. The sun’s out so, that’s good for the spectators.”

There have been years when the derby was canceled due to the poor snow conditions, and while this year there was plenty of it, there were still challenges to overcome. The region went through a warm spell in January, along with some rain, before it was slammed by multiple snowstorms. However, the frigid temperatures during the storm created light, fluffy snow, which was packed down by the snow groomers.

“We got back to starting with nothing before that foot-and-a-half of snow, but it was so light. And by the time we packed that down, there was only 3 to 5 inches,” Lyman said. “But then we got some cold weather, and a few 3- to 4-inch storms, so if you step off the trail, there is still a foot or so of snow. So, we’ve been lucky to keep the trail in good shape.”

There is a wide range of competition this year, with some riding with hopes of capturing their first title, some looking to win another, and others just doing what they love.

“The Saucier team has a really good team, and you’ve got the guy going out No. 1, Stephane Roy, he was second last year,” Lyman said. “The Therrien team was third, and they’re here. Justin Fortier raced here before, and was in the top three before. The top five will be really close, I think.”

Jean-Rene Saucier traveled from Newport, Quebec, for the race, looking for his first win. This was his third time in Laconia, and has finished before in third place. He was smiling ear-to-ear as he got his dogs ready for the race, knowing whatever the outcome, it would be a good day on the course.

“We’re lucky this year with plenty of snow,” he said. “The sun will be hard, and will be tough on the dogs, but we’ll have fun.”

Jake Golton also came from Quebec, and while he has three decades of racing experience, this was his first time in Laconia.

“We’ve raced in New Hampshire before, but the first time in Laconia,” Golton said. “It’s a good course, an open race that’s a little longer. Of course, it’s also one of the oldest sled dog races in the world, so it is pretty cool to be a part of that."

Golton came in thinking they were going to run a big team of 20 dogs, but decided to run 16, which was still more than most teams on the course. He said not knowing the course and conditions did present a challenge, and as safety precaution, he thought fewer dogs was a better choice.

Golton was happy the weather was in everyone’s favor, and the course appeared to be in top shape.

“The years that we could come, they didn’t have snow, so we’re happy to be down here finally,” Golton said.

Zachary Gordon didn’t have to travel nearly as far, coming from Madison, for his second time competing in the derby. Last year, he came in last place, and while he expects this year could have a similar result, that didn’t matter one bit to him.

“I expect to come in last place again, but it is all in fun for me and my dogs,” Gordon said. “I’ve run dogs for about 10 years or so, but only raced for the last five. I love being out there with the dogs. It’s a feeling like nothing else to me.”

Gordon grew up with Siberian huskies, and adopted them as an adult. Before he knew it, he owned three of them before he knew he could get on a sled and race them.

“Once I started, there was no going back,” Gordon said. “I was kind of hooked at that point.”

Gordon is a first generation musher, and his son Oakley was born only six weeks ago.

“He’s teeny tiny now, but we’re hoping he’ll be the second generation,” Gordon said.

Even on a Friday, spectators lined the starting area to cheer on the dogs and mushers. With solid weather in the forecast, Lyman expects a good turnout throughout the weekend. The great thing, he said, is there are so many spots along the course to watch.

“It’s a great spectator course to watch the greatest show on snow,” Lyman said.

Sara Tewksbury came up from New Haven, Connecticut, but knows sled dogs well, as a former resident of Alaska. She even met another woman from Alaska watching the race, and shared a little camaraderie with another who once hailed from the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Tewksbury volunteered at sled dog races while living there, and when she heard there was one in Laconia last year, she had to make the trek north to check it out.

“It’s a little taste of Alaska,” Tewksbury said. “I’m only here today, so I’m soaking it all in.”

The sled dog derby takes continues Saturday, with the six-dog classic at 10 a.m., followed by the three-dog junior race at noon, and the unlimited class race at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday will have the same schedule, except there will be a one-dog dash at 12:40 p.m. The winners will have the best combined times over the three days.

For a complete schedule, and additional information, visit lrsdc.org.