It has been SA国际影视传媒渁 strange winterSA国际影视传媒� for sled dog racers in the NWT, according to Susan Fleck, one of the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 most dedicated mushers and race organizers.

The Aurora Ford Classic Sled Dog Race was cancelled on its second day due to extreme cold, she said, while the KSA国际影视传媒檃mba Carnival races were nixed for the same reason. Fort SmithSA国际影视传媒檚 races were also cancelled on day two due to rain, and the Fort Resolution races were nearly cancelled due to SA国际影视传媒渁 big wind and snowstormSA国际影视传媒� that compromised the track.

Hay RiverSA国际影视传媒檚 Anthony Beck, a lifelong racer with 36 dogs in his kennel, experienced much of that disappointment firsthand.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e only competed in four races [this season],SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a really unusual year. The weatherSA国际影视传媒檚 just up and down. One weekend, it was too cold, and we go to the next weekend and it was plus six and raining.SA国际影视传媒�

Beck did not attribute the winterSA国际影视传媒檚 unusual weather to global warming, contending that SA国际影视传媒渢his is just Mother natureSA国际影视传媒� and that SA国际影视传媒渨eSA国际影视传媒檝e had years like this prior too.SA国际影视传媒�

However, he is SA国际影视传媒渉oping for a better winterSA国际影视传媒� next year.

Dog racing is, after all, a longstanding and deeply important tradition in the North.

SA国际影视传媒淓verybody travelled by dog sled [in the past],SA国际影视传媒� Beck said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a big part of everyoneSA国际影视传媒檚 culture.

SA国际影视传媒淢y grandfather travelled by dog sled back in the day. My great uncles. That was their way of transportation. My dad still has dogs to this day, and heSA国际影视传媒檚 73, going on 74. [Participating in dog racing] is carrying on their traditions and practising my culture, being proud M茅tis.

SA国际影视传媒淚t makes me emotional just to think about it. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 something ISA国际影视传媒檓 very, very proud of.SA国际影视传媒�

Unfortunately, unusual weather is not the only threat dog sled racing is facing in 2024.

Beck stated he did not want to go so far as to call it SA国际影视传媒渁 dying sport,SA国际影视传媒� but noted that interest in it is waning.

To combat that problem, he helps facilitate culture camps at NWT schools, where young people can learn about dog sledding and even meet some dogs. He visited roughly 140 children on March 18 and 19 alone.

The culture camps have left him with the impression that SA国际影视传媒渁ll the kids would love to do it,SA国际影视传媒� but clarified that itSA国际影视传媒檚 often not that simple. Dog racing is an expensive pastime, and some parents donSA国际影视传媒檛 have the resources to support their childrenSA国际影视传媒檚 interest in it.

SA国际影视传媒淣ot everybody can afford to do it anymore,SA国际影视传媒� Beck acknowledged. SA国际影视传媒淚t comes with a lot of cost and dedication and responsibility. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e animals that need to be cared for. This is not Ski-Doo racing where you can tune them up, put a new motor in them, and then when the snow goes, put them away. These things are year-round.SA国际影视传媒�

Despite the challenges facing dog sled racing, Beck hopes more people will get involved in the sport, even if they start with just a few dogs.

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 also hoping for a few more good races before the winter is over, starting with Fort ProvidenceSA国际影视传媒檚 second race of the season, set for the weekend of March 23-24.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 supposed to be minus eight,SA国际影视传媒� he said, with just a few days left before the event. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e just waiting for the weekend in Fort Providence and hoping we have good weather.SA国际影视传媒�