Organizers of the World Championship Sled Dog Derby, held in Laconia since 1929, are praying for snow and planning a fundraiser.
Jennifer Hollows, secretary of the Lakes Region Sled Dog Club, said that about every other year in recent times the event has had to be cancelled for lack of snow to cover the sled trails.
The derby is now set for Feb. 15-17. The start and finish line will be on a field off Old North Main Street and Parade Road, near Opechee Lake.
“In 2015 we held the event, but in 2016 we had to cancel,” she said. “In 2017 we had it, but in 2018 we had to cancel.”
The World Championship Sled Dog Derby holds races in junior and adult divisions, the latter of which includes a six-dog class and an open class. Teams of mushers travel from all over North America to compete, and occasionally there will be competitors from Europe. Courses range from a few miles to 16.
If the usual trails don’t have enough snow, there’s a backup plan to utilize trails on Lake Winnisquam, if there is adequate ice.
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