Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-02


Pas, Manitoba will this year be the
most crucial 20O-mile nonstop dog
derby the northand has seen in many
years.
Emil st. GODDARD, the 23-year-old worlds
champion musher, viii be facing the toughest
battle of his spectacular career when the start
ers gun cracks through the frosty air on the
morning of March S. It viii be the hoy won
ders biggest chance, as another victory will win
for him lasting possession of the Grant Rice
Walter Goyne Memorial Trophy, the most
coveted silver cup in the world of dog racing.
The cream of the country's drivers will snap
their whips in The Pas contest.
st. GODDARD leaped into the spotlight in 1925
when, in his first major race, he beat the
North's crack drivers in a grueling 204-mile
dash to Herb Lake and return. He won his
second endurance contest year ago over a
blizzard-swept course to the famous Film Flon
mine, giving him two notches on the thousand
dollar piece of silverware.
This year will test the well trained team of
the young French Canadian as it was never
tested before. For five years st. GODDARD has
won The Pas Derby emblematic of the worlds
title. This is the thirteenth running of the
championship test Will number "13" prove a
jinx to the boy champion will his team of
cross-bred huskies and hounds romp home to
write mushing history which should stand for
years to come?
Northern Manitoba, which has produced some
of racing sled, has been the training ground
of several teams since early in January
Cash prizes in The Pas Derby total $4,000,
of which $1,000 goes to the winner. Three
other awards of $700. $500 and $500 are made.
There are merchandise gifts-and stage con-
tracts for the victor. And lest you forget, the
kiss from the Carnival Queen.
IT is an old custom in The Pas for the queen
of the carnival to bestow the embraces of
victory those who finish in the money in
the big race. An amusing incident occurred
last year when handsome young musher went
to the stage to receive his cash prize. He &C
cepted the money graciously, but backed away,
blushing like schoolboy. when the lovely queen
made move to give him the traditional kiss.
He returned to his seat with the sigh of per-
son who has survived great peril.
IN the earlier days of husky racing the num-
Der OF dogs on team was limited. OF late
years, however, the contestants have been al
lowed to choose the size of the team.
For instance, in the 1929 event, st. GODDARD
used nme-dog hitch. Pranteau, the Indian
hope, had IL white huskies strung In single file
Gilbert Macdonald started out with nine-dog
team. Gabriel Campbell the Cedar Lake entry,
and Bert Stewart, who wore the colors of the
Canadian National Railways, each employed
seven animals. SK-dog teams were driven by
Hector Campbell of the Mandy Mine, Donald
F1ett, crack driver from Split Lake, and the
famed Shorty" RusSick, from Cold Lake
It may be hard for you to understand why
the team boasting the greatest number of dogs
shouldn't be the best bet in a contest. But you
must remember that one of the strictest rules
OF dog racing is that every muSher must bring
ali his dogs home with him-whether in har-
or lying disabled on the sleigh If he
doesn't he is disqualified.
The larger the team. the greater will be the
load If several dogs develop lameness or other
disability on the trail.
TEAMS of 20 dogs were not uncommon in the
earlier racing days In Alaska. But many a
race has been won by seven-dog teams in COM
petition with bitches which boasted a Dozen
Take st. Godard's training program during the
past year All Summer he had about IS dogs
In the Fall, he conferred his efforts on the IA
which showed the most pep, and this year it
is likely he will use IL or IL dogs for the big
events.
When he travelled East for the New Hamp-
shire and the Quebec competitions, he took a
hitch Of eight dogs along. The Eastern races
" are 120-mile contests, 40 miles being run each
day. They have been quite problem for ST.
GODDARD. The Pas derbies of 1926, 1927 and
1923 were also short lap events Teams of
high-bred Northern huskies which had taken