Meet The Mushers

Photo by Paul Cyr

Erin, her husband Matt and 4-year-old daughter live near Grand Marais, MN. They have been mushing for 12 years. Combined, this will be their sixth Can-Am Crown and they take turns mushing the team at races. Between dogs, work and our young child, life is busy, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

I am a member of the Penobscot Nation. Growing up on the reservation, I always had a dog. I've been running sled dogs for a good twenty plus years, and I still feel like there is much to learn. My goal this year is to do a 250 mile camping trip, giving the dogs a good experience, and hopefully in the future to be more competitive.

Some things are better left unsaid.

I am a cancer scientist / professor at the Université de Sherbrooke in QC, and I am married to my beautiful wife Maryse and we have with a 14 year old son, Gabriel, who keeps us busy! In fact Gabriel will participate in his very first race ever this year, the Can Am 30 !! Asides family, work, and DOGS, I have no time for hobbies :) What I like most about my dogs is their genuine happiness while running, and that keeps me living the present moment, which is awesome therapy!
I am excited to come back to Fort Kent and see old friends, and especially my host family the Saunders, who have become like family to me!

Hi everybody, I`m back to make this fantastic race again with my siberian huskys. I`m impatient to meet old and new mushers . my hobbies are jogging, trekking, mountain bike and .... training my dogs. my goal for the race are to have fun in the trail with my dogs. complete the race is just a bonus. I hope to see some other siberian team in the 250 milles.

Dog sledding started for me in 2013, that's also when a passion settled in. I entered my first two small sled races in 2014 and 2015, and that's when I really got the need for competition. The hard work, the hours spent taking care of my dogs gradually led me to proudly build a team for the race. In 2016, I started mid-distance racing . In 2017, I moved from the south shore of Montreal to Lac St-Jean with my dogs to really live my passion to the fullest. What I like most about dog sledding is sharing my life with my dogs, the freedom to travel the trails in symbiosis. It is a sport that requires a lot of time and passion. Since the beginning of it all , Canam 250 has been the ultimate dream and challenge !

Each year this is the race to be at the end of the season. After the Covid hype, we just can't eait to taste the can am trail and see our can am family once more!

To each and everyone that has helped us and believed in our dreams along the way, we want to thank you.Our dreams keep expanding and with out our sponsors and our family and friends that believe in us, all this wouldn't be possible

I will be running the can am with the puppy team... Again. Can't wait to meet the can am family!

Le can-am est ma course favorite! Je course la 250 depuis plusieurs années. Depuis les dernière année je course avec mon fils ce qui est encore plus agréable! Nous avons un chenil de 50 chiens. Le mushing est une affaire de famille pour nous, ma conjointe est également notre Handler a tristan et moi depuis toujours.

Le mushing est une histoire de famille, de génération en génération. J'ai eu une très belle saison 2020 en coursant d'importante courses tel que Can-am 250, Up200, la tchitogama 100.... Je suis impatient d'être de retour au courses.

I was born and raised in the Knik area outside of Wasilla, Alaska and have been behind a dog team since I was born. The biggest influences for my mushing are my late uncle and the Redington family in Alaska. I was a quiet kid, learning the ropes of mushing, not asking many questions, just listening to words of advice from the many mushers visiting the Redington home in Knik. I have served on the Iditarod's Board of Directors and as the IOFC president, I look forward to continuing being an advocate for the mushing lifestyle and the future of this sport. Moving from Alaska to Wisconsin fall of 2021. Looking forward to meeting all in the Lower 48 mushing communities and participating in this new racing circuit. When I'm not with my dog team I like to adventure, fish, hunt, build, and spend time with my wife Sophie and our son Mack.

Live in Iowa. Married (Tera) and have 3 boys: Kashton 17, Holden 16, Lincoln 10. Kennel size varies but currently around 20 dogs. I've owned and raced sled dogs for 6 years. I enjoy the outdoors. I love the challenge of longer distance races. I hope to race 1000 miles in the future. I raced the can-am a couple years ago and absolutely loved it.

Every year we strategically train our 30 dogs for mid-distance racing. I love to learn
each dog's personality; enjoying the challenges we face and the desire to improve
my training techniques. We are very lucky to live and work in the North Maine Woods.
Our seasonal job of guiding is our income, the raising of sled dog puppies is my passion.
Almost every dog in our kennel has been born and raised here. We believe the strong
connection between human and dog is very important. The Can-Am is both the dogs
and my favorite race each year. The trails are beautiful, the volunteers are abundant,
and the finish line is always rewarding. In the future I still plan in competing in the Iditarod
when the time is right

I started the sled dog at 8 years old and I knew right away that I would progress you in this sport! in my family the mushing more than a passion these our lives and we are very proud of botre sport

I have been training sled dogs for over 30 years

I've been racing for 18 years. What started out as a recreational hobby with rescue dogs soon became a complete addiction ESPECIALLY once I started doing distance.
In 2008 I danced with the grim reaper, I survived death and since then my focus is to LIVE and always do what I love to do. What keeps the fire in my soul, what makes me appreciate & love life are my dogs, our time together. Wether it's the 250 a 100 or training it's all about the care, love & bond that you have with each and everyone one on trail & off the trail. It's about being their provider, coach, nutritionist, behaviorist, doctor and mom! It's incredible to watch them grow into amazing athletes and know that you were the one to see the quality in them, to bring out the best in them to help them excel! It's not just about the training miles it's about enjoying the beauty of the trails and the team you've created! I REALLY look forward to this race BUT this year, this year now that we're local, after purchasing my home in Fort Kent last year, now that adds some serious kick a** energy to the excitement. This is gonna be a whole new, totally different epic story for us!

I got my first huskies when I was 10 years old. Dog sledding beacame a family sport. We had always been very active, but with the dogs there is really no better way to enjoy the outdoors. We then rescued many dogs and got different opportunities with mushers who taught us a lot of things.
Dogs are my family and my life.
I started racing in 2020 and I can't get enough of it!
My ultimate dream is to do the Yukon Quest one day...

I am a second generation musher and was raised on the back of a dog sled. From then on I had a love for dogs and the sport.

I am very excited to finally return to the 250 mile race this year and can't wait to see my team compete. Thank you to all of my friends, family and handlers who have supported and helped to make this year possible.

I began mushing about 25 years ago and enjoy spending time on the trails with my team and my son Bailey. I am excited to add the Can Am 250 to my list of qualifiers for the Iditarod in which my son and I hope to compete in some day soon.

First, I would like to thank my sponsors, New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket, and Tylor Kelly Camps in Allagash. I would also like to thank my wife Sarah for putting up with my expensive hobbies. I need to thank my kids Piper and Peter for their help with chores and care of the dogs, I could not do this without you guys. This year I am most excited about working with our first litter of pups and running a bigger team. If the team does well this season we are looking forward to running the 250 next season. I am also looking forward to running with my kids Piper and Peter.

I'm a mom of three kids of four, one and 6 months. I also have a business of house plans with my boyfriend. I started racing in the 30 miles in 2019 with my friend's dogs and since that day I couldn't stop thinking about dog sledding. I now have 23 dogs of my own and I am racing in the 100 miles races for the first time this winter!

I have been racing and training Siberian Huskies for over 40 years. My wife and I have a kennel of 25 sled dogs with which we run races, provide dog sled tours, community events, educational programs and kid's camps. I am so happy to be back running Can Am and psyched to run the 100 again and SUPER psyched that my wife will be running the 100 (for the first time) as well!


Thanks to all who make this great race possible! We missed you last year!

Like to be alone in the bush whit my dois, Huntingdon, fishing, trapping, and I love Fort Kent !

Running the Can am 100 miles is a dream coming true. I have a small kennel of 14 dogs that I train and look after with the greatest attention. Finding myself among the 100 miles runners is a great accomplishment for me. I also ran the Can am 30 miles twice, and I loved this race! Fort Kent is truly a welcoming place. The organizers of this race as well as the community have made it a real must!

Hello, we are back! Me and my team had a rough first Can-am in 2020, I along with one of my dogs sustained an injury out on the trail and I also broke my sled. This year we as a team are more prepared. I'm hoping that by running the 100 this year it will prepare my team for the coming season when we go to Alaska to run the Willow Jr 100 and the Jr Iditarod!

Ces avec beaucoup émotion et de détermination que je vais prendre part a la CAM-AM CROWN, ces un honneurs et un grand bonheurs d'être sur la trail avec my dog.je suis farmer de métier , je viens a fort Kent parce que ces une organisation incroyable avec des gens incroyable. Comme objectif futur serait de faire des course avec de plus grand distance .

De retour pour la deuxième fois pour le 100 milles pour cette superbe course! On est ici et on se pratique pour le 250 milles dans quelques années ! D'abord et avant tout nous sommes ici entre amis et amoureux du mushing!

I am very blessed to be supported by my wife and two boys. Together we have a small kennel of 19 sled dogs. We love to run and spend time with each other. When we are not training to race the Can Am we give tours in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont , spreading the love and amazing drive of these beautiful dogs

Caleb, 17 years old, has been breeding, training and mushing Seppala Siberian Sleddog with his right here in the Saint John River Valley since he was old enough to walk. Caleb wrestles and runs track and field for his high school. He is also known to jam out to all kinds of retro music ranging from the 1940s to the 1990s.
Faith, family and Country play a big role in his life. And his current plans are to become a US Marine like his father and older brother.

Cascade Kennel is a small kennel located in Trout Run, Pennsylvania, and consists of Alaskan Huskies ranging in age from two to fifteen years. Most of my time is dedicated to my dogs. Other than training and conditioning dogs, my hobbies include camping, hiking, motorcycling, and gardening. I work as a school counselor.

Thanks to all for organizing this race! I am thrilled to be returning to the Can-Am and excited to see the trail of the 100 mile race. Also, I am so very thankful for my husband's support especially in helping us get to this starting line.

I moved to Maine from Virginia almost 4 years ago now and the Can Am Crown 30 mile race was the first race I had ever run. It's my goal to do the 250 mile race next year, and my dream is to run the Iditarod someday.
I couldn't do all that I do without my family and close friends, they support and encourage me to follow my dreams even if they don't quite understand them, and I'm so thankful for that; but most importantly I wanted to thank my dogs. Without them I truly wouldn't have a purpose and I certainly wouldn't be where I'm at today!

Ten years ago this year, after a few years guiding sled dog tours, I picked up the first four dogs from a friend, a sprint musher Scott, who asked me what my plans are, if I was going to race. I said 'nah, I just want to run dogs.'

'Uh huh, ok' he said.

Sure enough, I signed up for a local race, and then after that put my name on the waitlist for the Can Am 30. I finished out of the money and near the bottom of the list, but the energy, the vast open forest, and the community of Can Am—I knew I'd be back.

Over the past 10 years I've raced all over New England and in the midwest, and the more races I run, the more I realize how special and unique Can Am is—a celebration of the Northern Maine woods and mountains, a challenging race like no other. Thank you to everyone who makes this race possible. I'm excited to run the 100 this year again, with some of the same team from 2020 with hopefully a few rising two year old stars.

Home is Shelburne NH where I live a non-traditional home life, with my disabled brother and sister, their caregivers, and my partner Chuck. For the fall and winter the dogs move to Upton, Maine for training, and for the past two years Brianna Boisselle has helped train the dogs—this year will be her first Can Am 30. I work for The Conservation Fund in NH and VT, a land and water conservation organization, spending my time working with private landowners and public agencies to create or add to conservation lands.

It's great to sign up for this race again—let's go Gemma!

Ive doing sled dog since 8 years old. My Dreams is to do the famous yukon quest.

My wife and I have been training and racing sled dogs for over 10year together. I have
been guiding since 1997 and have been enlightening people about the outdoors and
animal behavior ever since. I love seeing how the variety of genetics keep coming
out in the sled dog with each new generation, slightly different and also so similar

We are so excited to be back racing the CanAm. Let's hope for lots of snow this winter.

We are all thrilled to return to Fort Kent Maine and run in this amazing event. I want to thank everyone that is part of putting on this terrific race. The organizers put in endless hours and the attention to detail is very much noticed. You are truly heroes! We tip our hat to you and raise our glasses in a toast to all involved!

I am honored to run my first 100 miler at Can Am. My team of Siberian huskies have trained since October, and we are excited to set out on an adventure. I wish my wonderful wife Ingrid all the best as we set out on the trail together. Happy trails Ingrid and team and we'll see you around the corner.
Thank you race organizers, volunteers, our amazing handlers, dogs and Ingrid! You are all the best!!

I've been involved in sled dog sport for approximately 20 years. Most of that time was in New Zealand competing in both sprint and mid distance races. We moved to the United States 3 years ago (along with 10 dogs), with both rebuilding our kennel and competing in several races in the North Eastern US. We moved to New Hampshire 18 months ago for better training conditions and to compete in mid distance races. Our goal is to enjoy spending time in nature with the dogs, with racing for us, being centered on the dogs having fun.

I absolutely love being out in the wilderness with my dog team. There is nothing like it in the world. I have been mushing for almost three years and looking forward to challenging myself and our team in this race.

I started out with a team of four Siberians about five years ago to have a winter activity to do with my two children. For three years we came to watch the Can Am Crown (driving 3 hours and standing around in 30 below, even with broken legs, to watch the starts) and my kids kept saying 'mom, you should try'. So, in 2019 I adopted a couple veteran dogs from Ashley Patterson and Sally Manikian and ran the 30 mile race-- and finished middle of the pack! It was so exciting I decided I needed a couple more dogs, and here I am back again! Thank you to the musher mentors and friends I've made through this great sport. I appreciate all the advice and support, including late night messages about whelping! Also thanks to my family for kennel building and chore help!

Hello, this is my very first time entering a race and I have to say I am beyond excited! After being her 2 years ago watching my mom race I am so happy to be back and racing with and against her this year. Dogsledding is one of my favorite sports. I love that this is a sport my entire family can be apart of and enjoy. I also love that it makes the long and cold winters so exciting and enjoyable. I wish all of you mushers and your team Goodluck from now until the finish line!

I never thought I would return to this sport after a 15year break, but here I am loving every minute of it. This is our 2nd racing season..My family has embraced the sport with me, and my 15yr old daughter will also be racing. I love that as a family we are all involved in this.

Après avoir travaillé en tourisme dans les cinq dernières années je me suis dit que je devait voir les autres aventures que le chien de traineau pouvait m'apporter. Je me suis alors décidé de m'engager dans le monde de la course.
I hope to do well and be able to come back next year for the 100miles!

I will mush the family team. My daughers like to run and feed the dogs on weekend or after school. This year I will me the lucky one to race them. A much younger musher is likely to replace my on sled next year. I will try to enjoy every inch on the trail.

Brianna has been running dogs for over 8 years, but she's just starting to dip her toes into racing. She is always happiest surrounded by a pack of dogs. Her favorite part of mushing is the bond created between her and the dogs. When she isn't mushing she can be found at home with her 10 rescue dogs.

je viens de tomber a la retraite et les enfants sont élevés et j ai toujours eu la passion pour les chiens de traîneau et là j ai le temps de me pratiquer mon sport et pouvoir entraîner mes chiens correctement et plus m initier à la courses vivre les chiens de traîneau

This is my first time racing in the Can-Am, and I'm very happy to be here. I'd like to thank my friend Tara Crossman for allowing me to use some of her dogs, I wouldn't be here without her. My goals for the next few years is to move to Alaska, and grow my kennel. I also hope to some day be racing my own team of Alaskan huskies in the Iditarod.

Let see if I can steel help my dogs like before and be the 7th one on the team............Maybe, I can loose..............some weight!

Philippe Dugas
Menuisier contremaître chez Construction Michel Maltais depuis 10 ans et musher depuis presque 25 ans !! Guide et propriétaire de Kiyak Aventures depuis 10 ans, une petite compagnie de randonnée de traîneau à chiens à Maria en Gaspésie !!

This will be my third time running the Can-Am 30 and I am excited to be back.
I would like to thank Paula and Rico Portalatin for helping me train and loaning me the spare dogs to fill out my team. It's always exciting to show up for a training run and not know which dogs I'll be running.
If the snow is good I prefer Skijoring to running the sled. Being directly connected to two dogs and cruising the backwoods of Maine is truly wonderful.

This is our 4th time running the CanAm 30! We are thrilled to be back as we love the welcoming town atmosphere and friendliness! A shout out to the all of the race organizers and volunteers! A special thank you to the border patrol who are doing their job, but are still welcoming!

We have been racing for 11 years, and love running the CanAm Crown! Our favorite race!

This will be my first race ever! I have been helping my dad Luc Gaudreau train his dogs for the last couple of years and I have been to the Can Am Crown with him for the past four years! I can't wait to race, meet new people and of course see my very good friend Sophie Saunders!!

Born in the Ottawa Valley of settler Hungarian, British, and other mixed ancestry, Amanda Hutter happily confesses that she is a "Mutt who exists between many ancestral lines, without ever belonging to one." She credits her parents above all with who she is. She grew up in the Huron Fringe woodlands of Lake Huron, exploring ecosystems from her family's dogsled, canoe, or using her two feet and a heart-beat. Working on and with land is her passion.

She was born into dogsledding and fortunately has over 35 years experience in distance and sprint running, alongside her father, Victor Hutter of Tokamak Kennels, mostly on the recreational side. In that time, pressures like climate change, animal welfare and health, and many changes in the sport have resulted in a unique operation for Amanda. Her operation only owns two dogs. All of her dogs have their own families that they live with when they are not out on the trails. She works closely with each dog owner to ensure that dogs are treated both as an athlete and a family member. She likes to say that she is the equivalent of the fun aunt that brings the high energy nieces and nephews out for adventures to give their parents a break. After runs, each and every dog goes back home to their families and lives the happy normal life of a spoiled pet.

She holds a BA in Anthropology from Waterloo, Environmental Techniques from Georgian College, Environmental Conservation from Guelph, Masters in from University of Guelph and began her MSc of Natural Resources Management at Lakehead, which she happily put on hold to become a mother. Between schooling, she worked in environmental stewardship roles often between the spectrum of Land Management and Indigenous Food Security. This brought her to work in Honduras, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Cuba as well as from New Brunswick to BC, all the way across Canada. She has supported the structural, planning, management, research or labor work of over 30+ different organizations throughout this time until she decided to begin her own Environmental Enterprise in 2012.

She now holds the position of CEO and Founder at her own company called 'Green Feet Ecosystem Services', which provides aerial imaging and analysis, environmental project support, and seasonal services - including dogsledding to take people out to enjoy the experience of travelling lightly on the land by dogsled. She doesn't do any of her work alone and is accompanied at the race by a group of relentlessly encouraging seasoned racers who she credits the smile on her face to.

Sledding is the best medicine on earth. Being in the wild with my dogs fills my soul. Hoping to complete more mid distance races and continually challenge my dogs and I. I'm always learning new things and my dogs never cease to amaze me with their abilities physically and mentally.

My leaders, Khan and Spock, have led me on an incredible journey that has brought us to the Can Am, a long time dream. It's inspiring to work with such amazing athletes and build respect and trust with each dog. Khan and Spock have helped raise and train all the dogs behind them: Riker, Data, Mochi, and Squid. There's something special about watching youngsters find their stride and coming into their own. This team has so much potential and I can't wait to see what new adventures are ahead.

En conduisant la deuxième équipe pour Stéphane Roy je veux me rappeler de beaux souvenirs de mes participations précédentes.
I had been a regular participant to the CanAm between 1980 to 2000.
During the last 20 years I was racing sprints because I had no training facilities, my dogs were not happy with distance plus some health issues. Now I 'm an older boy with maturity, experience and always looking for a challenge. You can call me a retread but still competitive... you will see! Ha,ha hope to meet some old friends.

J'ai commencé le traineau à chien en 2011 avec une équipe de husky sibérien. J'ai fait plusieurs expéditions pour le plaisir. Depuis les dernières années, les courses de traineau à chien commence à m'intéresser.

I have been mushing for 8 years now. I started with my rescue Siberian and my passion for it evolved from there. I got my first working Siberian from Kelim back in 2016, and then several from Sibersong Sleddogs over the past few years. They are the best dogs I could ask for, they're wonderful companions. Yona and Uta are my main leaders, Yona is all the brains of the operation while Uta is all the speed. They compliment each other very well.

Castarek's is a newer sport kennel dedicated to the beautiful working line Siberian Husky and what they love to do most - Harness work! We train and race during fall and winter months, and during off season we train for obedience, tricks, and plan to participate in more performance/sport events.
Castarek's was created to celebrate the freedom we feel while running with our teams and the pure joy of working with dogs of different backgrounds coming together as one. The "Cas" in Castarek's represents one of our soul dogs, Casper, who has made a big impact to our dogs, our kennel, and our personal lives. The "ta" represents Tasha, the mind, trainer and bind of the kennel. And the "rek" represents Derek, the hard working, fun loving, dedicated soul who puts 110% into everything he does for the kennel and our family. We know we won't be as fast as the competitive alaskan teams, but we love the idea of keeping Siberians active within the sport they were originally bred for. Plus, anytime the dogs get out to an event is a win for us, they don't care how well they do they just have fun!

Looking forward to being at the CanAm.

Steve enjoys just about anything outdoors, but especially loves winter sports. This is Steve's 3rd CanAm, but his first without racing against his daughter Lara Renner. He hopes he can make her proud on race day. Lara is currently in Alaska handling and training for Jaye Foucher's Sibersong Kennel as they prepare to compete in the Iditarod. Steve's other passion is Star Wars and his team of veteran sled dogs is comprised of 6 dogs all with Star Wars names - Artoo, Chewie, Solo, Blaster, Jedi, and Captain Rex. May the Force Be With all the teams and spectators!

I'm musher in aventure since all time...... I have 17 husky in France

chien traineau ses tout ma vie depuis age de 5 ans que je pratique ce sport nous avons 50 chien au total avec sdi racing kennel et sdi happy paws ( elevage)moi et ma femme denise martin qui es aussi handler . Dans les annee avenir je veux aller au wyoming faire la course pedigree stage stop race et faire les course dans l'ouest canadian.

I am thrilled to back. This is my fourth time running the CanAm Crown 30!
I have been racing sprints and mids for the last 11 years, and the CanAm Crown is my favorite! . Every year, we drag our friends along to race with us! It's always a great time! We also enjoy the hospitality of Jonathan Nathanial Hayes and his lovely wife Tammy as they invite us for their amazing home cooked meal after the race! A special thank you to the organizers, volunteers and to all of those attending today to make this run special!!

Team Skookum is a childhood dream come true. This dream led me to the Yukon in the late 90's. Decades later, and now living on the banks of the Saint John River our family has made that dream a reality. Although we are truly a recreational kennel, this will be our first event racing as a team and are looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. All our Siberians are brothers and sisters with Willy, our black and white leader a cousin to the pack. Our main goal is to have fun on the trails and enjoy the scenery along the way. Thank you all for hosting such a great event and coming out!