Created 21-Feb-20
Modified 22-Feb-20
Visitors 17
86 photos, 1 videos
The 2020 World Sled Dog Derby held in Laconia, NH drew teams from NH, VT, NY, MN, MI and Canada (6 teams). For those who think you have to go to Alaska to see a real sled dog race, think again. The Alaskan races tend to be long endurance races of up to 1,000 miles. The Laconia race is much shorter and much faster. It is a three day race which covers approximately 15 miles per day. To win your dogs must be able to pull a loaded sled for 15 miles over hilly terrain--all while averaging over 21 mph. Very exciting.
This year there was more than usual drama when two teams got tangled up on a downhill stretch about 1/8 of a mile before the finish line. The musher in the lead flipped his sled on to its side while taking a corner. He was pulled sideways through several curves and ultimately got tangled with a team that was trying to pass him. It took several minutes to unravel the situation. Luckily no one was hurt. This accident begins to unfold at image DSC 3067-134.
This year the race began and ended at the Laconia Country Club. The winning purse was $25,000.
© Robert Peek Photography
