Emile St. Godard

Emile St. Godard (15 August 1905 – 26 March 1948) was a Canadian dog musher and dog sled racer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was a renowned musher in the 1920s and 1930s, with much of his fame derived from racing Leonard Seppala and his victory in the demonstration race at the 1932 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York. In 1956 he became the only dog sled racer to be entered into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. He would lose the 1930 race to Earl Brydges by twelve and a half minutes after coming in with three tired dogs on his sled.

Following his victory in the dog derby at Ottawa's first Winter Carnival in February 1930, he was presented with a gold challenge cup and a cheque for one thousand dollars by Mayor Frank H. Plant at a lavish reception in the Château Laurier. He dominated the field for so long that fans often referred to the races at the time as "St. Godard against the field".

He received a citation from the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies for his kindness and concern for his dogs.

Rivalry with Leonard Seppala Seppala and St. Godard faced each other annually at the Eastern International Dog Derby in Quebec. Over six years, St. Godard would win the race four times, and Seppala twice. The duo also faced off in a variety of other races over the years, during which St. Godard won the majority of the races.

Olympic games

Dog sledding was included as an exhibition sport at the 1932 Winter Olympics. There were twelve competitors from both the United States and Canada. St. Godard and Seppala would place first and second overall, with St. Godard taking the victory after winning both of the 50-mile races involved. Following his rival's victory, Seppala acknowledged his rival's superiority and didn't compete with him afterwards.