The organisers of a sled dog race in Alaska have blamed safety fears for its cancellation.

Sheep Mountain 150 – which is often used as a training event for the Iditarod – will no longer take place this weekend (December 12th and 13th 2009), Go Mush reported.

However, poor snow cover in parts of the course – particularly the Talkeetna mountains region – forced race director Zack Steer to pull the plug.

This is because he does not believe the circuit has sufficient conditions to support 45 sled dog teams.

The news provider quoted him as commenting: "Mushers are not able to control their dog teams without adequate snow to operate the sled brake. Safety for the dogs and the mushers is paramount to this race, and right now that is not possible."

Last year’s event was won by Jessica Hendricks, who scooped the top prize of $1,750 (£1,073).

Allen Moore, Hans Gatt, John Little and Jeff King followed in second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.