A real winner It's winter in the Cascade mountains of the northwestern United States. Most of 16-year-old Rachael Scdoris' classmates are getting ready for a high-school dance, but Rachael h:as different plans. She's where shed rather be. That's leading her team of 12 dogs through one of the more difficult dog sledge races around the Atta Boy 300' race. The Atta Boy is a staged race that lasts for seven d ays and goes through the Cascade mountains. It is divided into seven timed legs, or sections, that total 480 kilometres Being a dog sledge competitor would be difficult enough for any 16-year-old. However, it's an even bigger challenge for Rachael. Rachael is legally blind and has been since birth. She sees a world of unclear shapes without form or colour She can't see past her lead dog and depends a lot on her other senses, particularly touch As Rachael sets off on the fifth day of the race, her father, Jerry Scdoris, explains: 'Rachael never gives up She always accomplishes her goals and she works hard at them. That's an inspiration to me as a dad. Jerry is a world champion in dog sledging and taught daughter to lead dogs when she was only three. She started competing when she was 11 and now, at 16, she is competing in international events against some of the top competitors in the sport.