Sled Dog champion and cancer survivor Lance MacKey to highlight Ontario’s largest dog-powered sports symposium.Â
When it comes to a tough fight, winning the longest sled dog race in the world is no match for what it takes to beat cancer, said Lance Mackey, the 36-year-old musher and throat cancer survivor, who on March 13, 2007 did something no other musher had done — get back-to-back wins in the 1,100-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race and the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, and he accomplished this 2 years in a row.
Mackey will share his unprecedented accomplishments at the Ontario Federation of Sleddog Sports Symposium September 20th at Zorba’s Grill in North Bay, in the heart on Ontario’s Near North. “This year’s event will be the biggest mushing symposium ever held in Ontario,†says Laurie Ypya, executive director for Ontario’s Near North. “The event will put the second-toughest athlete in the world, as reported by Sports Illustrated, in the same room as a local, world champion sprinter; the largest Ontario-based dog-tour operator; and some of the most passionate dog-powered sports enthusiasts the sport has to offer,†boasts Ypya.Â
As a precursor and unofficial start to the upcoming mushing season, the annual symposium sees mushers and enthusiasts alike gather to exchange ideas and training tips and set goals for the current season, as well as the future of the sport in Ontario.  The highlight of this years event is the caliber of speakers: a wide range of renowned personalities from across North America have been invited to speak, which will be complementary to the stacked panel of experts from right here in Ontario.Â
The Ontario Federation of Sleddog Sports and Northern Ontario Sled Dog Club have partnered up with Ontario Tourism, the City of North Bay and Ontario’s Dog Sled industry to bring this event to North Bay.
For more information contact: Laurie Ypya at Ontario’s Near North 705 474 6634 or laurie@ontariosnearnorth.on.ca or go to www.ofss.ca