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Thousands Turn Out for 14th Annual Musher's Bowl Races in Bridgton

January 26, 2010 - BRIDGTON -- Above the cacophony of barking and howling, you could barely hear the announcer counting down.

"Five, four, three " the voice over the loudspeaker said.

And during the countdown, George Miller was perched on the skis of his dog sled, attention focused on his team of six dogs.

"Ready, ready, go," he said, just as the announcer said, "One."

On command, Miller's teammates released the gang line and the sled took off with a jolt down the hill. Spectators lined the beginning of the course, cheering on each team as they whooshed by.

Miller's team was one of six in the sportsman's category traveling the course Saturday morning at Five Fields Farm as part of the 14th annual Musher's Bowl Winter Carnival. Saturday was the first day of the two-day event, which highlights winter sports such as dog sledding, skijoring, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and even taking a polar plunge.

Ben Gelardi, 4, and Ellie Gelardi, 6, leaned against the orange fencing to get a good look at the dogs and mushers as they took off for the race.

"They're really, really hyper," Ellie Gelardi said as she watched another team line up at the starting line.

With a one-minute gap between teams, racers line up one behind the other, waiting patiently to embark. The dogs, on the other hand, jump, howl and bark, often requiring two or three people to restrain them.

Miller's team was a bit overzealous as they started out, getting caught in the soft snow around the first bend in the course. He had to dismount and get his dogs back on track, giving the team that started one minute behind him time to pass.

"I should have seen it coming," said Miller, president of the Down East Sled Dog Club.

After all the teams were out on the course, spectators shifted to the opposite side of the farmhouse to watch them approach the finish line. Some came barreling up the track, still bounding with energy, while others just made it through the finish line with a sigh of relief.

Nathan Gratton crossed the line with a smile on his face and rosy cheeks.

"It was awesome," he said, as he immediately put down bowls of water for his dogs. "It is crazy technical, though. There were downhills, sharp turns and 'S' turns everywhere."

This was his first year at the Musher's Bowl, but he is no stranger to the sport. During the winter, Gratton works in Vermont taking visitors on dog sled tours. When summer rolls around in New England, he travels to where it is winter to continue working in the sport he loves.

"You've got to love it. It's the only reason to be in this sport," he said.

With an estimated 2,000 people turning out for all the events this weekend, Gratton is clearly not alone in his love for the sport. Hosted by the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, this event draws people from the local community and others from across the region. The Gelardis traveled from Massachusetts to see the dogs race and to enjoy all the other festivities.

While the races were ongoing at Five Fields Farm, there was a flurry of activity at Highland Lake Beach. This included "Freezing for a Reason" to raise money for the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter. Jim Mains, the Chamber of Commerce's executive director, said the event has become a big draw, with people gathering pledges and then jumping into Highland Lake.

It was Billie Jo Torizzo's first time attending the event. Traveling from Hartford, she was most interested in the dog sled races and the polar plunge.

"It's great. I like it. And it's a beautiful day," she said, gazing up at the blue sky and bright sunshine.



By EMMA BOUTHILLETTE, Staff Writer, Portland Press Herald, January 24, 2010



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Regions: Sebago


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