The Canine Inspiration...

 

Ugly Dog Mushing - Team Petit

Behind many great athletes is someone or some event that inspired them to chase their dream.  For Nicolas Petit, it's the handsome dog he named Ugly.  Before Petit became known for running the Iditarod, he was known as the guy with that gorgeous blue-eyed dog.

The story begins 11 years ago with a Girdwood friend's litter of puppies. Petit chose one, and says that, "Ugly is the only name he'd answer to." He also says that such a gorgeous and well mannered dog makes people take a different view of the word ugly. 

Now Ugly monitors all the happenings while Petit trains for Iditarod 2013.  This year and last, Petit was entrusted, by Iditarod's founding family, the Redington's to run a team of dogs from their kennels.  For Petit's first year in 2011, 15 time Iditarod veteran Jim Lanier, entrusted Nicolas to run the Northern Whites team in his first Iditarod.  Petit finished 28th and was named 2011 Iditarod Rookie of the Year. 

While his Alaska hometown will always be Girdwood, he is currently training in Knik, Alaska with the Redington family. This winter, due to lack of snow, you'll also find him anywhere across the state where he can truck the dogs to train on snow!

For more information on this year's kennel and dogs, click on the links below:

Ugly Dogs in Training