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3,400-KILOMETRE JOURNEY

Brazilian cowboy completes trek from Alaska to Calgary

Jul 3, 2020 | 11:31 AM

CALGARY – It wasn’t quite the parade that Brazilian long rider Filipe Masetti Leite (LAY’-TAY’) had hoped for.

But he was still happy to reach the finish line.

The 33-year-old completed a 34-hundred-kilometre journey on horseback from Alaska to Calgary this morning, on the same day the Calgary Stampede was supposed to begin.

Although the annual event and a parade to kick it off were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Masetti Leite was crowned this year’s parade marshal.

The usual parade pomp was replaced with a small group of supporters, including his girlfriend, the Stampede’s president and police.

Masetti Leite has been on long rides before, from Calgary to Brazil, and then from Brazil to Patagonia.

He started his trek from Alaska to Calgary just over a year ago.

He says he intends to sleep and shower over the next few days.

He also plans to work on a new book about his travels.

(The Canadian Press)