FORT KENT, MAINE -- A Canadian musher crossed the finish line 35 seconds ahead of his closest competitor Monday to win the Can-Am Crown, a 250-mile dog sled race across the wilderness of northern Maine.

Denis Tremblay, of Saint Michel des Saints, Quebec, was the Can-Am Crown runner-up four times before notching his dramatic victory.

Second-place finisher Katherine Langlais, of Glenwood, New Brunswick, was 12 minutes behind at the start of the final 43-mile sprint, but she closed the gap to 35 seconds for the closest finish in race history, said Can-Am President Dennis Cyr.

Andre Longchamps, of Point Route, Quebec, came in third.

Neither Tremblay nor Langlais knew how close they were because the hilly course prevented them from seeing each other.

 Tremblay was surprised after crossing the finish line when he turned to see Langlais coming down the hill behind him, Cyr said. She was equally surprised to see that Tremblay was still at the finish line, he said.

The 250-mile Can-Am Crown kicked off Saturday in Fort Kent with mushers from Maine, Minnesota, Iowa and several Canadian provinces. The grueling course took mushers to Portage Lake and then to the town of Allagash before looping back to Fort Kent.

Ten-time winner Martin Massicotte, of St. Tite, Quebec, wasn't in the race. He is participating in the 1,000-mile Iditarod across Alaska.

Videographer Jeremy T. Grant produced a video with The Timber Cross profiling the race. The director works in Main and produced the video for a series called Discover Maine.

"My mission is to inspire and encourage others to go discover something awesome," he said. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Over the pass few days there has been an epic battle taking place in Northern Maine. The 28th annual Can-Am Crown International Dog Sled race has been underway! For those of you who have never heard of it or have never paid much attention to this event let me start by saying you are missing out! The main race is a 250 mile long dog sled race through the Maine wilderness. It starts and ends in Fort Kent, Maine. This is a 3-4 day trial of wit, determination and most of all a test of the relationship between musher and dog. They battle through below zero weather, raging snow storms and endless miles of thick Maine woods, alone just you and your dogs!! I have always wanted to see this and had lost track of when it was happening. Until a friend of mine sent me a message Friday morning, telling me he was going to be there. So last minute I packed up my gear and headed up North to trug through the forest and wait at remote trail crossings to try and see this race. I wanted to see it the way the racers where experincing it. It was a long tiring and cold weekend, but I would do it again in a minute!!! I hope you enjoy I'm already making plans for next year! Make sure to follow me on instagram.com/jeremyt.grant for more of the adventure! Also a massive thank you to J.P.s Guide service for hooking me up with an amazing cabin to stay at on the Allagash for the event! Hope you enjoy guys! Don't forget to get out and Go discover something awesome!

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This report by The Associated Press was first published Mar. 2, 2020.