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Jamaican Dogsled Team musher returns to Yukon with US Visa approved.
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
February 5, 2008
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Jamaican Dogsled team musher Oswald “Newton” Marshall returned to Yukon February 2nd after a journey back to Jamaica to apply for a US Visa.
“The US Visa was crucial to training and qualifying to run the Yukon Quest in 2009.” says owner Danny Melville. “Newton is in the midst of an intensive program with his sled dog team and this Visa will allow him to travel for racing and training to the US and in particular Alaska.”
Hans Gatt, a three time Yukon Quest champion has been working with Newton and a team of dogs from his yard since his arrival in Yukon in December. In order to run in the Yukon Quest Newton needs to successfully complete a 200 and 300 mile qualifier race. “Newton has been doing well with his team. He will be running in the Percy DeWolfe which runs from Dawson City to Eagle Alaska and back on March 27th, 2008.” states Gatt. “That race will be his first qualifier for the Yukon Quest.”
Both Gatt and Newton are also hoping to run in the Dagoo, a truly Yukon experience from Eagle Plains to Old Crow and back again approximately 340 miles of the most challenging and remote country Canada has to offer. Last year was the first year of the Dagoo and organizers are looking for sponsors, veterinarians and additional volunteers to help organize the race in order for it to go ahead this year. “ I would really like to race in the Dagoo. To travel 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle would be an amazing experience for me!” says Newton. Gatt is also hoping that the Dagoo will be approved as a qualifier for the Yukon Quest, if not Newton will need to complete his 300 mile qualifier early next winter.
Sponsored by singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett and Margaritaville, the Jamaica Dogsled Team is the newest addition to the Chukka Caribbean Adventures family, just one of the many creative ideas of founder and CEO Danny Melville. Formed out of a motley crew of mixed breed dogs found on the street or through the Jamaican Society for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (JSPCA), team membership means a new and better life of care and meaning for the team dogs. Newton, along with the Jamaican sled dogs, is featured in Palm Pictures’ documentary feature “Sun Dogs”. The Jamaican dog team trains at Chukka Cove Farm, Ocho Rios where they offer the unique “Jamaica Dogsled Team Tour” and “Dogsled Encounter” to visitors from around the world.
For more information about Newton and the Jamaica Dogsled Team visit www.jamaicadogsled.com. To learn more about Chukka Caribbean Adventures visit www.chukkacaribbean.com; the Yukon Quest visit www.yukonquest.com and Hans Gatt www.gattsled.com.
For more information or to book an interview, please contact:
Yukon and Canada:
Dee Enright
Outside the Cube Consulting
867-456- 7483 or 867-334-5203
dee@outsidethecube.ca
US and International
Mary Brennan/Roberta Garzaroli
The Atrebor Group
212-764-0340
Chukka@AtreborGroup.com
About Chukka Caribbean Adventures
Founded in 1983, Chukka Caribbean Adventures is now the number one land-based nature adventure tour provider in the region, offering thirty-two tours in Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, and Turks & Caicos Islands. Collectively, the operations delivered over 250,000 adventure tours to cruise and hotel guests in 2006. With a commitment to deliver the highest quality tours with well trained guides and stringent safety standards, Chukka takes pride in showcasing the natural beauty of the Caribbean through unique and sensational experiences and providing opportunities for local residents and businesses. Awards include “Shore Excursion of the Year 2004/2005” for Montego Bay and Ocho Rios by Princess Cruises and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association “Attraction of the Year Award 2005/2006.”
Chukka Caribbean Adventures – Explore More. Live More.
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