Brothers take on Alaska sled dog racing together
Shondiin MayoICT
Brothers Greg and Ricky Taylor have spent the last five months preparing for the 2025 "Open" World Championship Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska, where Greg finished in third place on Sunday, February 23. The event was a key part of the 90th anniversary festivities for the Fur Rondy, an annual community celebration held in late February and early March.
Greg Taylor was one of five Indigenous participants in this year's race, which also featured:
Mitchell Jacobson from Tuktoyaktuk, Canada
Clyde Mayo Jr. from Fairbanks, Alaska
Joe Bifelt from Huslia/Fairbanks, Alaska
Jennifer Probert-Erhart from Tok/Fairbanks, Alaska
Living in Fairbanks, the Koyukon Athabascan brothers have dedicated their lives to the sport, a passion deeply embedded in their community's culture and inspired by their father's involvement in racing during the 1960s and 1970s. Their father Bill Taylor won the Open North American in 1968, setting a family tradition that endures to this day.
Ricky Taylor reflects on his lifelong involvement in dog mushing, which began in his early years with a team of three dogs. A vivid childhood memory is of his mother cheering him on during a race. As he sped past her, he shouted in exhilaration, 'Am I smoking or am I smoking?' to which she responded, 'You better hurry up!'
While Ricky no longer participates in races, he continues to train the 83 sled dogs at their family kennel, while Greg competes with them on the track.
Their training begins in early October using a four-wheeler rather than starting on snow with a dog sled. By initially covering six miles, they can evaluate the capabilities of their kennel and determine which dogs will participate during the season.
"It's a pretty good test," said Ricky.
Like athletes in a training program, the sled dogs progressively increase their mileage and build endurance over time. As the dogs progress, both Ricky and Greg observe and handpick their team over the course of training. Ultimately, they look for speed and confidence, especially as they search for a leader, which is a dog at the front of the team. Those two qualities are essential for guiding a dog team through traffic, alongside other teams, while remaining unfazed by the cheering crowd.
Comparing it to basketball, Ricky shares, 'You need the Michael Jordan and Larry Bird of dogs to compete.'
Unable to train their large number of dogs indoors, their training relies not only on the trails they use but also on the weather conditions. Fairbanks experienced an unusual increase in temperatures in January, reported to be '40 degrees higher than is normally seen at this time of year," according to Alaska's News Source. The combination of daytime heat and nighttime freezing temperatures resulted in hazardous road conditions and some snow melt. The Taylor family trains their dogs directly from their yard into the surrounding neighborhood, which features an airplane strip, a float pond for airplanes, and several gravel pits. However, the rain and overflow from the gravel pits hindered the Taylors' ability to prepare their dogs.
'We just had tough training this year. We're not where we would like to be, but after this race here, we'll catch up,' says Greg.
Amidst the extensive training required for the dogs, harsh weather conditions, and the year-round care they need, the Taylors find purpose in this longtime tradition. In short, it's deeper than performing in front of a crowd and receiving a shiny trophy. Greg reflects on his long career and says, 'We raise dogs, and when you raise up some really nice dogs and you do well in the race, that's your reward.'
On the training side, Ricky shares that while feeding the dogs, watering them, cleaning up after them, and maintaining warm dog houses, the work is invaluable as he continues his father's legacy alongside his brother.
'It's just as satisfying to see my dogs with him on the runners, doing good,' Ricky says.
The Taylors plan to participate in the Open North American in Fairbanks March 14-16, joining teams from around the world competing in the 79th annual race.
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