Mushing' through the challenges - Dog-sledding Jamaican asks countrymen not to give up on their dreams
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More History in the making!
Jamaican Woman Poised to Be First to South Pole.
Kim & Queen - 3/2/2009
Wow, if you haven't heard the news about Kim-Marie Spencer who made the team to be the first person from the Caribbean to ski to the South Pole.
Click here
Or goto http://SandyGully.weebly.com
Title.
More History in the making see "Kim & Queen" below or Click here
Published:
Wednesday
March 18, 2009
Sheena Gayle, Staff Reporter
THE GLEANER WESTERN BUREAU:
Twenty-six-year-old Newton (Oswald) Marshall has developed a 'stone-cold" drive to succeed as he moved from being employed as a gardener at Chukka Caribbean Adventures to now being Jamaica's first international musher.
A musher is someone who drives a dogsled team. Marshall was the first Jamaican to participate in the 2009 Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile International Dogsled Race.
"It was a lot of sacrifice that I had to make in order to even qualify for the dogsled race. I had to complete a rigorous 300-mile dogsled race before I could move on to the Yukon Quest. It was tough, but I made up my mind to do it and I did," an enthusiastic Marshall told The Gleaner in an interview recently.
Yukon Quest takes place every February in North America during extremely cold weather conditions covering 1,000 miles. But performing under these conditions was a daunting task for this
Jamaican who is accustomed to the tropical climate. While this was his first time abroad and in such cold climate, this did not deter the resilient Jamaican who was determined to make his country, family and employer proud.
This avid dog lover and international musher was born and raised in the Garden Parish of St Ann with four younger siblings. He began a programme at the Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning but insufficient funds meant he was unable to complete it.
Plans to continue studies
With the thrust into the international spotlight following this accomplishment, he plans on continuing his studies and adds, "No matter how life may seem hard, you can't give up. It will take some time to achieve what you want, but don't give up."
According to Marshall, family and his employer, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, played an integral role in his bid to take part in the competition. However, his success was not without sacrifices as Marshall explained, "It was hard to get sponsors. We had to go around, myself and my boss (Danny Melville), trying to get sponsorship for the team because a lot of people did not believe we would do well at this sport."
Hopes for corporate support
Marshall hopes that with his success in the 2009 Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile International Dogsled Race, corporate Jamaica will support the Jamaica dogsled team in its efforts to compete on the international stage.
Marshall participated in Alaska's Copper Basin 300 in 2009 and the Percy DeWolfe Memorial Race in 2008, where he won the Sportsmanship Award.
He also intends to participate in upcoming international events, where he hopes to earn a better place than his 12th-place finish in the Yukon Quest.
Click here to go to the: Jamaican Woman First to South Pole
Challenge of the North Award Goes to Jamaican Musher
Jamaican Sled Dog Musher, Newton Marshall, was awarded the Challenge of the North award for best exemplifying the spirit of the Yukon Quest at the Yukon Sled Dog Race closing banquet on Saturday, Feb 28, 2009. Observers say Newton was beaming and at a loss for words while accepting a polished caribou antler trophy.
Newton, a 25-y/o rookie sled dog driver participated in this year's 1,000 mile Yukon Sled Dog race along with 28 other mushers (as the drivers are called). He crossed the finish line in Fairbanks, Alaska on Thursday Feb, 26th in 13th place, ahead of 16 other competitors. Newton's elapsed time for the race was 11 days 19 hrs 2 mins.
A native and resident of Jamaica, Newton completed the arduous 1,000 mile course with a hugh smile on his face in response to cheers of Quest fans. (see photos below).
Yukon Quest's race marshal, Doug Grilliot, as surprised and as impressed as anyone with Newton's performance presented Newton The Challenge of the North Award. Here's what Doug said:
“This year’s Challenge of the North Award is going to a musher that the race judges believe showed perseverance, class and grace under pressure. Throughout the race his smile and cheerful attitude never faltered. When he first signed up for the Quest this year, I’ll be the first to admit that when I saw his entry I didn’t think it was much more than a publicity stunt...and over the last thousand miles though we’ve come to respect and admire his attitude, perseverance and the way he took car of his dogs. So the 2009 Challenge of the North Award goes to one very Southern Musher…So Newton Marshall, come on up.”
To loud cheers and sustained applause of support and congratulation, an ever smiling, nearly speechless, very surprised Newton, joyfully and humbly accepted his award with these words: “Thank you…I’m a nervous wreck. I don’t know what to say about this. I was quite surprised. Thank You, Thank You.”
WOW!
Next stop the Iditarod?
ell, perhaps next year. I checked the participation list for the 2009 Iditarod which starts in a couple of weeks and didn't see Newton's name among the list of registrants. Maybe next year. Yeah, maybe next year.
Norm Hoyes
Atlanta
Follow me at Twitter.com/NormHoyes
Click here to send a note of congratulation to Newton: Attaboy Newton!
Jamaican in winter sports spotlight again ... Remember the Bobsledders? - Photo by John Hagen.
Newton joyfully accepts the Challenge of the North award. - Photo by John Hagen.
Cold? Tired? Not Me. Just excited and proud.
Photo by John Hagen.
Cool Runnings.
Jamaican in the Yukon Quest 1,000 mile Sled Dog race
First it was Bobsledding at the 1998 Calgary Olympics Winter Games, now it’s the 1,000 mile International Sled Dog race from Yukon, Canada to Fairbanks, Alaska.
At the “top of the world”, in the Yukon and Alaska wilderness of northwestern North America, an epic winter sports event takes place every February, the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. The race covers 1,000 miles between Whitehorse, Yukon and Fairbanks, Alaska during the depths of the Arctic winter, the Yukon Quest is known for excellence in canine care and fostering the traditions of northern travel by dog sled.
This year’s race started on Saturday, February 14th with a group of 29 Mushers, as the sled drivers are caller, and their dog teams. Among them, a twenty-five year old Jamaican Musher, Newton Marshall from Chukka Cove, Jamaica. Who’d a thunk it? I’m speculating that young Mr. Marshall was either allergic to or just bored and tired with the great Jamaican sunshine, warm weather, coconut trees and white sand beaches. Or, dare I say, he may just be plain nuts?
Newton, with the backing of Jimmy Buffet, yes “The Jimmy Buffet” and several other Jamaican sponsors, gathered a pack of dogs and hauled off to the frozen tundra to participate in the epic event. Yes, this dude must be crazy! Or, is he? That's what folks called me when I arrived in Chicago one cold February morning many years ago from beautiful, warm sunshiny Kingston in my custom tailored, yellow double-breasted Terylene and wool suit and matching yellow straw Fedora hat. Well… But, at least, I had a good excuse. There was a girl in Chicago I wanted to meet.
What’s Newton Marshall’s excuse? What’s next from the Jamaicans? Ski jumping?
Anyway, from one crazy proud expatriate Jamaican to the world: Cool Runnings and best wishes to Newton.
- Take a look at Newton's journey below. It's awesome and inspiring.
- Follow me on twitter.com/NormHoyes for daily updates.
- View the current standings below…You’ll be surprised.
- Send Newton a note of encouragement see email link below.
Those darn Jamaicans! Ski jumping uh? Umm, interesting, very interesting….
Newton Marshall
Age: 25
Experience: Rookie
Place of Birth: St. Ann's Parish, Jamaica
Current Residence: Chukka Cove, Jamaica
Occupation(s): Professional Full-time cart Musher
Nationality: Jamaican
Language(s) Spoken: English, Patois
Handler(s): Hans Gatt, Susie Rogan
Comments on handler(s): The best we could come up with at the last minute.
Kennel Name: Jamaica Dog Sled Team How Did This Name Develop: Well, it took a lot of thought...
Kennel Bloodlines/Breeds Included: Gatt lines in Yukon, JSPCA in Jamaica # of Dogs in Kennel: In Jamaica, 42
Sponsors: Our main sponsor is Jimmy Buffet, a musician and regular visitor to Jamaica. Danny Melville from Chukka Caribbean Adventures is of course behind the team 100%. Alpine Aviation, Yukon Harley Davidson, Columbia, Mountain Hardware, and Sorel are all sponsors
Q&A with Newton Marshall:
How many years have you been running dogs? 4 years Describe your first time on a dog sled: Tell us about your dogs. Life for a dog in Jamaica can be tough, as they are not highly regarded. The dogs on our team in Jamaica have undergone a massive transformation from being street hardened strays, to becoming sleek, fit and extremely affectionate working dogs. They are helping to provide a living for me and the others, while providing a healthy attraction for visitors to Jamaica. Though the original dog team will not be in the Quest lineup, this race is for them as much as anything else. It is about what dogs and humans are capable of together. How did you get started running dogs? I grew up on a Plantation in St. Anne's and now live in Chukka Cove, home of the Jamaica Dogsled Team and my employer Danny Melville. The other mushers of the JDT and I trained a team of Jamaican street dogs who now earn a living running short cart rides along the ocean front in Jamaica at Chukka Cove. I'm now a musher for the cart ride and a guide for the tour of the kennel. List recent sled dog races and/or your best performances (list by race/country/year/finish position): Percy Dewolfe 2008, 7th Describe your general training style and schedule: After 5 months of intense training with Hans Gatt, I completed the Percy de Wolfe and finished 7th out of 16 teams - and most importantly won the Sportsman Award as voted by the other mushers. Why do you run sled dogs? I also participate in outreach projects to Jamaican children in schools, encouraging them to be kind to dogs. This project, including running the Yukon Quest, aims to raise the image of dogs in Jamaica. What do you love most about running sled dogs? What has been your greatest accomplishment as a musher? Are you a member of any other organizations involved in sled dog sports?: Mush with PRIDE Why did you enter the Yukon Quest? What are your goals for the race? My goal is to finish the Yukon Quest for Jamaica and the JDT.
Send a Message To Newton
Final Standings:
Pos. In Musher Name Location Date /Time In Dogs In/Out/Total Dropped
1 Sebastian Schnuelle (20) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/24/09 10:44 10 / - / -
2 Hugh Neff (23) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/24/09 10:48 9 / - / -
3 Jon Little (18) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/24/09 11:52 8 / - / -
4 Martin Buser (8) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/24/09 21:04 10 / - / -
5 Michelle Phillips (26) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/24/09 21:05 9 / - / -
6 William Kleedehn (12) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/24/09 22:40 8 / - / -
7 Brent Sass (13) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/24/09 23:18 8 / - / -
8 Dan Kaduce (14) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/24/09 23:38 10 / - / -
9 Warren Palfrey (19) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/25/09 9:50 10 / - / -
10 Normand Casavant (29) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/26/09 2:26 8 / - / -
11 Mark Sleightholme (1) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/26/09 4:58 11 / - / -
12 Colleen Robertia (6) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/26/09 5:11 11 / - / -
13 Newton Marshall (7) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/26/09 6:26 10 / - / -
14 Luc Tweddell (5) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/26/09 15:59 9 / - / -
15 Wayne Hall (28) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/27/09 2:33 10 / - / -
16 William Pinkham (17) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/27/09 5:40 8 / - / -
17 Becca Moore (22) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/28/09 10:13 9 / - / -
18 Iris Wood Sutton (9) Fairbanks Start/Finish 02/28/09 10:41 11 / - / -
Scratched Mushers:
Yuka Honda (24) Mile 101 Dog Drop 02/26/09 20:45
Left Mile 101 at 0739. Returned to Mile 101 and scratched on 2/27 at 0900.
Mike Ellis (4) Circle City Checkpoint 02/23/0911:13
Scatched in Circle City around 1300 hours
Kyla Boivin (2) Central Checkpoint 02/24/09 17:48
Didier Moggia (27) Dawson City Checkpoint 02/20/09 1:21
Officially Scratched 22 Feb @ 1850 upon returning to Dawson City.
David Dalton (21) Dawson City Checkpoint 02/20/09 1:22
Official Scratch reported by Dawson City checkpoint.
Hans Gatt (16) Dawson City Checkpoint 02/18/09 1:02
Scatched in Dawson for strategic reasons
Jerry Joinson (10) Pelly Crossing Checkpoint 02/16/09 20:55
Offically Scratched 17Feb 20:39 upon return to Pelly Crossing
Jean-denis Britten (3)
Pelly Crossing Checkpoint 02/16/09 13:50
Josh Cadzow (15) Dawson City Checkpoint 02/18/09 18:16
Returned to Dawson City to Scratch; 20Feb AM
Russ Bybee (11) Central Checkpoint 02/25/09 7:17
Officially Scratched with Race Judge Shelly at 101Mile
Jason Mackey (25) Central Checkpoint 02/25/097:19
Returned to checkpoint and scratched about 0915 26 February as per Mel Besharah
