Jamaican dog team ready to race

[gmc]

Sadly I can't go up this weekend, I would have loved to see this.

Now if only it would snow.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4629754.stm

A Jamaican sled-dog racer has arrived in Aviemore to enter Europe's largest husky racing event.

Devon Anderson, who has not seen snow before, has swapped the Caribbean for the Cairngorms to take part in this weekend's event.

The 42-year-old and his four-dog team will compete against 220 other teams and more than 1,000 dogs this weekend.

He eventually hopes to compete in the world championships and the Winter Olympics in 2010.

The Caribbean is too hot for huskies so Mr Anderson has trained a team of mongrels rescued from Kingston's dog pound.

His efforts are reminiscent of the success of the Jamaican bobsleigh team which took part in the 1988 Games in Calgary and provided the inspiration for the 1993 film Cool Runnings.



I think the adrenalin will take over and the team will do the best it can

Devon Anderson

Dog sled racer

Mr Anderson, who works for a Jamaican tour company, said he was excited about picking up the reins for his first race on the four-mile track at Loch Morlich.

He said: "I am really looking forward to the rally - I am not nervous at the moment because I am in a relaxed environment, but on Saturday I know I will be.

"Once I am in that position I think the adrenalin will take over and the team will do the best it can.

"It is definitely a challenge for me."

[valerie]

I watched a documentary on the Iditarod one time, and there was a woman

musher who had a team of standard poodles. There are also times when

various dog types are scattered throughout.



Me, I'm waiting for the first all-gsd team!!



:D