The traditional dog team races lives on.
Bill Russell Sr. and his son William Russell Jr. joined side by side on their first dog team race. The race that was held in Alexis Bay, near Port Hope Simpson in Southern Labrador.
The two went to the Eric Rumbolt Memorial’s sled race on Saturday, March 19.
Russell Sr said there was a lot of pressure with 11 teams, but he made sure his son was well set up before the take off and preparing his own dogs for the race. He shared his 12 dogs with his son William Jr. which are all from the same litter.
“It was a good day”, said Russell Sr, “glad he was out there and had fun.”
The 17-year-old, Russell Jr. told CBC his first competitive race was fun and a lot more tiresome than he thought it would be. He placed 10th and his dad came in 6th.
Russell Sr. has been racing dogs since he was 13 and they’re important part of his life and family’s life he said. It was great to see dozens of spectators watching, and added suggesting interest in the sport is picking up.
“It seems like it’s picked up again there now because there’s lots of kids interested in dogs”, he said. His son agrees.
“I think more people are going to get interested in and more people are going to racing and I think it’s always going to be a big fun, exciting event for everyone”, he said. In the fall, Russell Jr. heads off to University in Newfoundland but he hopes to return to Labrador after school if the opportunity arises and start his own independent dog team instead of sharing it with his dad like he does now.
“Just the whole thing with all the dogs and even just taking care of them and having them around”, William said it is cool. “It’s just really fun and is also somewhat relaxing when you’re not in a race. It’s just like lie back and sit and let the dogs take you away.”