Team Luna Lobos finishes top 10 at dog sled race in Canada

Photo: courtesy of Rancho Luna Lobos

QUEBEC — Rancho Luna Lobos, the popular local youth and Park City visitor dog rescue ranch in Peoa, Utah, finished in the top 10 with its elite dog sled racing team during the first half of the month in Canada.

Park City’s Fernando Ramirez races the sled, and his wife, Dana, manages the team. On their first day, March 1, dogs Jenny and Apple led the team of 12, while dogs Gabriel and North led the six-dog team. Snow conditions were soft, prompting groomers to pack down the course twice to ensure safe and fast racing. This helped the Rancho Luna Lobos team complete clean, solid runs.

After finishing the next race in the Quebec circuit on March 2, Fernando wrote on Facebook: “Great run today, honestly. Trail was good, a little rough on dog feet, but we had a great run!”

The team finished ninth overall, missing eighth place by just 12 seconds over two days. With placing and times being tight, Fernando was pleased with how well his dogs performed against sprint specialists who run more than 20 mph.

“We were very happy with a top 10 finish given the field of mushers and teams. Congrats to all mushers!” he said.

March 8 marked the final tour of the Quebec race series for this season with a one-day race where they had their best performance of the season. “I am proud of my dogs. All of our training came together,” Fernando said. Coming off the previous weekend’s race, they made adjustments to skis and wax, and carefully considered riskier positioning of dogs. “It was great to see it executed according to plan today.”

Finishing times were tight among the mushers.

“A seventh place overall is one I’ll take home proudly.” Fernando continued. “Congrats to all the teams it was an honor to run with you. Thank you for helping my team see what could be!”