HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-02-06, Page 21SPOKL'S
Sled dog racing
picks up speed
GRAND BEND - While the
horse and buggy may be long
gone, one early form of transporta-
tion - dog sledding - is making a
comeback around the world as the
fastest growing winter sport.
Sled dog racing is actually one
of North America's oldest record-
ed winter sports, dating back to
the All Alaska Sweepstakes in
1908, when dogs and humans
teamed up to race 408 miles from
Nome to Candle, Alaska and back.
The gruelling race demanded
stamina, strength and intelligence
from both the human and canine
athletes and was won in a time of
119 hours, 15 minutes and 12 sec-
onds.
Today, sled dog racing is popu-
tar internationally, with major
sporting events held in Canada,
the United States and a number of
European countries. While endu-
rance races are still staged, sprint-
ing is a primary focus of today's
racing. Courses normally range
from three to 30 miles and compe-
tition is run in heats over a one - to
three-day period with winners de-
termined by the best overall time
in each class.
This February, Canada plays host
to the second ever world champion-
ships - the 1991 World Pedigree
Championship Sled Dog Races in
Winnipeg. More than 100 of the
world's top male and female mush-
ers will be hitching up their do:
teams and competing for a $45,111
purse sponsored by Pedigree® food
for dogs. The two days of races are
a highlight of Winnipeg's annual
winter celebration, "Festival du
Voyageur".
The competition promises to be
fierce, says Jill Keller, of Pedigree
food for dogs. "Canada's best
Times -Advocate, February 6, 1991
Page 21
mushers and dogs will be going
head-to-head with the top teams
from at least nine other countries.
These championships are especially
important because they will help to
draw attention to the sport, which is
currently seeking Olympic status.
In fact, sled dog racing may be
demonstrated at the 1994 Winter
Olympics in Norway and many of
Canada's competitors are already
gearing up for this possibility".
Preparation for sled dog racing is
rigorous and must competitors fol-
low a year-round training schedule.
Top teams can reach speeds of up
to 18 miles per hour and individual-
ly, Alaskan Huskies and Mala-
mutes - two dogs favored for their
racing skills - can run as fast as 22
to 25 miles per hour. Typically,
sled dogs are lean and muscular
and have a protective undercoat of
fine hair to shield them from the
cold. Not surprisingly, these ath-
letes must have strong hearts and
lungs to keep up a fast pace.
"Intelligence is also vital to a
good sled dog," Keller adds, "be-
cause the dogs are directed by ,
voice commands alone and they
must work together with the other
dogs on their team. Depending on
the racing class, teams have be-
tween two and 16 dogs, but some-
times can be even larger."
The human side of the team com-
mands the dogs from a standing po-
sition in a sled made from flexible
wood, such as white ash. Contrary
to popular belief, "mush" is never
used as a command because it does
not have a strong enough sound to
signal the dogs.
Sled dog racing is ,attracting more
and more competitors and specta-
tors each year on its quest to Olym-
pic status.
Sweethearts competitors - These Zurich Figure Skaters attended
the Glencoe Sweethearts Competition on January 28. In front from
left are Megan Gingerich, bronze medal winner Katherine Miller,
Maggie Illman, bronze winner Jenna McIntyre, Jocelyn Cressman, Sa-
rah -Rae Lovie, and silver medal winner Jeffrey Miller. In the second
row are bronze winner Marcia Denomme (left), Kate Gillespie, Emily
Miller, Kristin McIntyre, bronze winner Carrie Illman, and Stefanie
Groot. At the back are Elyshia Denomme, Julie Semple, gold medal
winner Shelley Miller, Jessica Verhoog, Carrie Regier, and Lori
McNutt. Absent /s Mandy Case.
Usborne & Hibbert Mutual
Fire Insurance Company
ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of the policy holders of the Usborne &
Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company will be held in the Kirk -
ton -Woodham Community Centre, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday,
February 25, 1991 , to receive and dispose of the Financial and
Auditor's Reports; to elect Directors and to transact any busi-
ness that may rightly come before the meeting.
Nominations will be received for the election of two Directors for
a three year term. The Directors whose term of oftice-expjoim
are Jack Hodgert and Larry Gardiner, both of whom are eligible
for re-election.
Jack Harrigan E.J. Caere
President Secretary -Manager
Article 21 - QUALIFICATIONS OF DIRECTORS
Any person wishing to seek election or re-election as a Director
must file his intention to stand for election in writing with the
Secretary of the Corporation at least ten days in advance of an
Annual Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the pur-
pose of electing Directors.
An Important
Message to Employers
and Parents
New labour law now entitles mothers and fathers of new-born and newly
adopted children to parental leave. This leave can be up to 18 weeks long.
To qualify, employees must have been with the same employer for at least
13 weeks.
IFYouRE BORROWING
MONEY1 SMOOTH OUT
THEBUMPS,
PAYING ITBACK
SHOULDN'T CAUSE WRINKLES.
Parental leave can be taken in addition to 17 weeks pregnancy leave. The
qualifying employment period for pregnancy leave has been reduced and is now
13 weeks before the expected birth date.
While the employer is not required to pay the employee during parental or
pregnancy, leave, the new law requires that the employee's seniority and
certain benefits continue during these leaves. The employee has.the right to
return to his or her job and to be paid at least the same wage as was earned
before leave began.
Details of unemployment insurance benefits can be obtained from the nearest
Canada Employment Centre.
For further details of parental or pregnancy leave, see the Blue Pages of your
telephone book and call the nearest Employment Standards Office, listed
under Ontario Ministry of Labour, or call (toll-free): 18800387-2648.
Life is full of financial glitches;
unexpected -expenses and unavoidable
costs. So when the need arises to
take out a loan, paying it back should be
convenient, simple and hassle -free.
At Bank of Montreal we make borrowing
money and managing your payments
as worry -free as possible. You tell
us how much you need and how often
you want to make payments. it's your
call. You can even make payments
automatically on your paydays.
Whether it be every week, every other
week, twice a month or monthly.
At (tank of Montreal there's more to
borrowingmoney than the money
Look into our wrinkle -free personal
loans today.
To find out more about a Personal Loan just call,
Marty Dick Wiili Chariton Bev Desch Les Hills,
Hensall Grarld Bend Zurich Sandra Forbes
262-2524 238-2381 236-4384 Exeter
235-2860
Paul Creighton
Lucan
227-4473
Ministry of Labour e
t Ontario
1'
â– int Belk of Mt-)ntren1
1