Park City dog sled team lands in international top ten

Photo: courtesy of Luna Lobos (Facebook)

SWEDEN — The sled dog race team from Rancho Luna Lobos, with owner Fernando Ramirez mushing, finished in eighth place in their international race in Sweden on Tuesday.

“I’m so proud of my pack. My amazing dogs. They exemplify what it means to have courage and heart.” Ramirez said in a statement.

He told TownLift that one of the main veterinarians told him, “You’re one of the top mushers in the world now!” Then it really hit… a small kennel from Park City, a Park City kid, made it. Next goal…win a medal!!

“I finally met one of my dog sled heroes, Egil Ellis, who I’ve been reading about since middle school. It was such an honor to meet you and share the trail with you, Egil,” Ramirez wrote.

Ellis was in the 8-dog class with Ramirez, they were the only two Americans in the race. The race distance was 18k/11.1 miles over multiple days. Ellis placed second overall, earning a silver medal, adding that to his countless amount World Championship titles as he is one of the most decorated mushers in history.

Ramirez thanked his crew back at home and the mountains of snow they were shoveling to dig out the ‘Rancho’ as his European weather was warmer than expected and trained for.

He wrote this on Facebook about his wife, “Most importantly, thanking my Queen, my beautiful wife. I love you. Thank you for getting us here. Working so hard to make this happen for our dogs and kennel. Being so beyond patient with me and keeping me level headed.”

The United States Federation of Sleddog sports congratulated the team from Park City.