Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade

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Jamaican dogsledders Newton Marshall (2nd left) and Damion Robb (right) are joined by founder of the Jamaica Dogsled Team, Danny Melville (left), and trainer Lance Mackey. Occasion was the screening of the documentary 'Underdog', which chronicles the journey of Marshall from his humble home in St. Ann to become part of the Jamaica Dogsled Team (JDT) to the Northern climes of North America on Thursday, November 12, at the Berkeley Church in downtown Toronto.

The indomitable spirit of the Jamaican people was certainly evident earlier this year when Mr. Newton Marshall became the first Jamaican to participate in the grueling Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race.

For 12 days, Mr. Marshall traversed 1,600 kilometres of the roughest terrain in North America, travelling from the Yukon Territories in Canada to Alaska in the United States, battling sub-zero temperatures, mountain ranges, frozen and semi-frozen lakes, and sleep deprivation. In the end, he placed 13 out of 29 mushers (dogsledders), who started the race. In fact, 11 of the mushers did not complete the race.

Mr. Marshall's journey from his humble home in St. Ann to become part of the Jamaica Dogsled Team (JDT) to the Northern climes of North America is the subject of a documentary entitled: 'Underdog', which was screened at a fundraising event on Thursday, November 12, at the Berkeley Church in downtown Toronto.

Produced by AJE Productions, the documentary highlighted Newton's two-year training in the cold and snow to reach the Yukon Quest and the difficulties he endured during the race. The excitement and support from the other participants, officials and spectators, is evident in the film, with everyone anticipating how the first-ever participant from a tropical country would perform.

Mr. Marshall and fellow Jamaican musher, Mr. Damion Robb, were on hand at the screening of the documentary to talk about their experiences. Mr. Robb has also raced in Canada, but not in anything as exhausting as the Yukon Quest.

Describing the race, Mr. Marshall said that on the worst days when he thought he could not go any further, he turned to reggae artiste Buju Banton's song, 'All Will Be Fine', for inspiration. "Today you're down, comes tomorrow; Chances of rising again seems hollow; Doubt may be in your mind, but give it time; And all will be fine," are some the words of the song, which kept him motivated.

Speaking to JIS News, founder of the Jamaica Doglsed Team, Mr. Danny Melville, had praises for his musher, noting that he is humbled by him. "I think Newton Marshall is a survivor and he is a wonderful human being. I think he is the essence of the Jamaican 'can-do' spirit. In other words, 'I will overcome any adversity to do well'. I am so proud of this kid you would never believe it."

Jamaican dogsledders with huskies (dogs) who pull the sleds, Newton Marshall (left) with Murphy, and Damion Robb (right) with Hawk. Occasion was the screening of the documentary 'Underdog', which chronicles the journey of Marshall from his humble home in St. Ann to become part of the Jamaica Dogsled Team (JDT) to the Northern climes of North America on Thursday, November 12, at the Berkeley Church in downtown Toronto Canada.

Mr. Melville thanked the Canadians and Jamaicans in the Diaspora for turning out to support the team.

Acclaimed author Ms. Rachel Manley, who was among the viewing audience, said she is very proud of the Jamaican dogsledders.

"They are setting out to do the complete opposite of anything that any Jamaican has ever tried to do, that we ever thought we could do. They are doing a sport we have never done, but most of all in a part of the world and in a climate we have never had to deal with. So really, this is the ultimate quest and I am so proud of them," she said.

Ms. Manley, who has written several books about her famous family - Norman, Michael and Edna Manley - said the documentary brought her to tears. "It's fantastic that the film producers were willing to put their money behind this. And what it tells you is that if you have a good story and something that connects with people and makes the world a better place, you will always find enthusiasm."

Jamaican national in Canada, Miss Rose McFarlane, also expressed her pride at what Newton was able to accomplish. "I have this feeling of great hope that Jamaica will always conquer above all the difficulties and negativity that people try to make out about Jamaica. We are a positive, hardworking, adventurous, successful people and this gives me great joy that there is no mountain that we cannot move and no snow that's too cold," she gushed.

Another Jamaican, Attorney-at-law Mr. Aston Hall said that Marshall is a "fantastic" young man. "This makes us feel proud as Jamaicans that a young man from rural Jamaica could go to the top of the world and perform so well. At the end of the film I was touched," he told JIS News.

Jamaican Ms. Paula Cameron and her friend, Mr. Vanda Orsini, were equally impressed. "Newton is an amazing young man, full of perseverance and strong-willed, but tempered with a good nature," said Ms. Orsini.

Author Rachel Manley (right) congratulates dogsledder Newton Marshall (left) at the screening of the documentary 'Underdog', which chronicles the journey of Marshall from his humble home in St. Ann to become part of the Jamaica Dogsled Team (JDT) to the Northern climes of North America on Thursday, November 12, at the Berkeley Church in downtown Toronto Canada.

"The film is fantastic. Jamaicans always go for the gold. It's truly amazing to hear that he came 13th out of 29 racers. As far as I'm concerned that's the gold medal, that's winning," said Ms. Cameron.

Mr. Marshall will be racing again in 2010, in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, the most popular sporting event in that state, set to start on March 6.

Mr. Melville said the Iditarod, which is 1,800 kilometres long, is billed as the "last great race in America".

"It celebrates an event that took place in Nome, Alaska in 1925. There was an outbreak of Diphtheria in Nome and there was no way to get the serum to the town so dogsled teams had to line up to take the serum there, and the children were saved," he informed.

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