Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and honourable colleagues, in light of recent accomplishments by Canada's national sports organizations, Melanie Turgeon with the National Women's Downhill Ski Team winning gold and the Canadian National Soccer Team winning an international tournament, both of which has received national and international media attention, I wish to recognize and congratulate one of the Northwest Territories' own - dog musher Grant Beck - on his recent victory in Spain.
This Yellowknife resident competed with 47 dog mushing teams in a 200 mile trek through the Pyrenees Mountains. The event was the 2000 Pirena Stage Race. It took 15 days to complete the course.
Mr. Beck and his team came in first place, nearly eight minutes ahead of the second place team from Norway. Mr. Beck put Canada in first place on the world stage of international competition.
Mr. Beck has been racing dog teams for more than 30 years, since he was six years old. It is a fine family tradition. His two brothers and cousins are also dog mushers. Training for this race began last April. Mr. Beck put in 2,500 miles just to prepare for Spain.
During the 2000 Pirena, Mr. Beck raced with a dozen Alaskan huskies, often through very steep hills and high velocity winds. Mr. Beck says his next challenge will be the Iditarod in a few years.
This is good, as the Northwest Territories' only contestant in this event, Dave Olson from Hoarfrost River, announced yesterday that he is retiring. I want to acknowledge the great contribution Mr. Beck has made to the sport of dog mushing in the Northwest Territories and throughout the world. I wish him well in his next goal, to complete the Iditarod. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause