U.S. Senator Susan Collins attended the 34th annual Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races in Fort Kent, Maine. At the event, Senator Collins delivered remarks and counted down the start of the 250-mile Irving Woodlands Can-Am (IWC) 250 race. She also spoke with teams, thanked volunteers, and met with attendees.
Senator Collins highlighted the importance of the event for the region, saying: “The Can-Am Crown races are a signature winter tradition and a truly special event in The County, bringing together competitors, volunteers, and spectators from across the United States and Canada, all while supporting the community of Fort Kent and showcasing the region’s strong cross-border ties,” said Senator Collins. “It was an honor to count down the start of the 250-mile race, as was getting the chance to take a ride on a sled myself!”
The Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races feature three competitions: a 30-mile race, a 100-mile race, and a 250-mile race that serves as a qualifier for both the Iditarod and Yukon Quest sled dog races.
Senator Collins has participated in this event multiple times since her election to the U.S. Senate. In 2024, she advocated for changes to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations that would have made it more difficult for mushers and dog owners to bring dogs across the U.S.–Canada border. Following efforts by Senator Collins and other senators from northern border states, the CDC began work on new rules. While those changes are being developed, interim measures were put in place to simplify entry requirements for dogs coming from rabies-free countries like Canada. This allowed international participants to take part in this year’s races without disruption.