Christian is one of only three Australians who have qualified for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – a gruelling and dangerous adventure across Alaska, led by a team of huskies. 

On Saturday Christian will be the first Australian, and the youngest, to compete in what locals call ‘the last great race’. 

Christian divides his life - for six months every year the imposing 6ft 6 inch lad works in Karratha, Western Australia, enduring the blistering 50 degree heat.

That funds the other half of the year, which he spends in sub-zero Alaska, training and working with huskies.

Christian began his love for Alaska and mushing (transport led by dogs) in 2008.

“It has not been easy being from Australia and making the winter journey each year but I love spending time out on the trail with the dogs and the fantastic people you meet along the way,” he told the Courier-Sun.

Christian is the youngest of only three Australians to have qualified for what is the largest dog sled race in the world.

Iditarod began in 1973 and covers a distance of 1688 kilometres, from Anchorage city to over the Alaskan Range to the Bering Sea settlement of Nome.

The event takes 10 to 15 days to complete and it traverses frozen rivers, steep climbs and icy descents.

It’s a lonely quest, a true test of psychological endurance as much as strength.

Once the race has started there is no external assistance premitted, and competitors do not carry any form of communications, nor electronic navigation tools.

Despite this, Christian says he never feels alone.

“I have 16 of the best companions you could have - a great bunch of two-year-olds (huskies).”

Christian’s art lies in weaving the 16 different personalities into a race winning chemistry.

Christian has always loved dogs.

His sister, Sarah, remembers him “reading books about dogs and how to train them” and this canine obsession was realised when at age 11 his mother finally caved in and bought him a border collie. 

Christian discovered the world of dog sledding when he travelled to Canada for work in the snow-covered Rockies.

It was here he found his dream job, mushing dogs for a guided tour company.

“I worked hard and found myself returning each season to continue – I soon became the lead guide,” he said.

After a few seasons, Christian grew interested in racing and started to go in a few of the small events, doing well and even winning some, and it was from this point that started him on the path to Alaska and the Iditarod.

His goal this year is to finish in the top 20.

* The Iditarod’s ceremonial start in Anchorage coincides with Fur Rondy, a 10-day festival that dates back to an annual trading rendezvous of trappers and hunters. It’s an informal, satirical send off by the Alaskans, with events such as the Running of the Reindeer, a comical take on Pamplona’s celebrated encierro.

For Christian, it’s the perfect way to begin the journey of a lifetime.

Information on Christian’s big race - www.facebook.com/pages/-50-to-50/360353617308824.