Fraboni leads Gichigami Express

Musher Ross Fraboni of Two Harbors is the leader after the first stage of the inaugural three-day Gichigami Express Sled Dog Race in Cook County.

Fraboni and his sled dog team covered the approximately 50-mile course from Mineral Center, near Grand Portage, to Hungry Jack Lodge on the Gunflint Trail in 3 hours, 55 minutes.

Just one minute behind are Frank Moe of Hovland and Ryan Redington of Wasilla, Alaska (3:56), followed by Keith Aili of Ray (4:06), and Bruce Langmaid of Kearney, Ontario, Nathan Schroeder of Chisholm and Erin Redington of Wasilla, all at 4:08.

Teams left the starting line at two-minute intervals Sunday morning, and times were adjusted accordingly at the finish line. Eighteen teams remain in the field; there was one scratch on Sunday.

The race continues today at 9 a.m., with mushers departing Windigo Lodge and heading up the Gunflint Trail before turning back and heading south to the finish at Devil Track Landing, outside Grand Marais. The final stage, on Tuesday, will run from Devil Track Landing back to Mineral Center.

The musher with the lowest cumulative time over the three stages will win the event.

Tags: two harbors, sports, outdoors