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2010 Yukon Quest - Race Information |
Follow the Quest
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YUKON QUEST UPDATE - February 8, 2010; 0900 AKST (Circle City, AK) - Lance Mackey led the way into Circle City in the early hours of the morning, checking in just before 12 midnight. He was followed closely by Zack Steer and Hugh Neff, who both were only 10 minutes behind. Hans Gatt wasn't too far behind the pack, arriving to the checkpoint just after 1:00 AM. The leading teams all took a rest, staying for about 6 hours before heading off toward the Slaven's Cabin dog drop. Zach Steer was the first to depart at 6:15 AM. His team was closely followed by Hugh Neff at 6:25 AM. Gatt and Mackey also set back out on the trail just after 7:00 AM. By the time of this release, a total of 13 teams had arrived at the Circle City checkpoint. All 24 competitors and their dog teams had checked in at Central, the previous checkpoint. Gerry Willomitzer, Ken Anderson and Brent Sass have also moved on from Circle City toward the Slaven's Cabin dog drop.
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photo by Dona Quante - Husky Productions
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Egil Ellis Grabs the 2010 Exxon Mobil Sled Dog Race |
ASDRA held the Exxon Mobil Open sled dog race this weekend with a $22,000 purse located in the center of Anchorage, Alaska. Egil Ellis takes 1st place - For complete race results click here . To view photos by Britt Coon - Day 1 Exxon Mobil - Day 2 Exxon Mobil
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Streeper Wins 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race
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Photo courtesy of the IPSSSRDR
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Jackson, Wyoming-February 6, 2010- Blayne "Bud" Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, won the 8-day International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with an overall time of 22:35:35. Streeper, a familiar name in mushing, won 10 races in 2009, including the Canadian Open, Exxon Open, Willow Open, Anchorage, and the Fur Rondy World Championship. He also won first place in his first IPSSSDR in 2004.
Lina Gladh, also from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, was second overall with a time of 22:59:03. Joe Gans from Chaska, Minn., was third with 23:47:49. Winning mushers will be honored and prizes awarded in a private event in Park City, Utah, site of the final 8-mile stage, this evening; the public can view photos on the IPSSSDR website photo gallery at www.wyomingstagestop.org.
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Strong Yukon Quest field hits the trail to Whitehorse |
FAIRBANKS — News Miner - Whoever wins this year’s Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race will have some major bragging rights. Three former champions, five former second-place finishers and nine top-five finishers will start the 27th running of the sled dog race between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Yukon.“You can tell who will be in the top 10, but how the top 10 is going to shape up, I don’t think you can say that,” said Hans Gatt, who won the race three consecutive times from 2002-2004.There will be a new champion after the 2010 race, which begins when Abbie West’s team heads up the Chena River at 11 this morning under the Cushman Street bridge. Last year’s winner, Sebastian Schnuelle, did not enter.Gatt is among the first-place hopefuls, though he perplexed many in 2009 by scratching in Dawson City, Yukon, because his dogs were peaking and ready for the Iditarod.Whoever wins this year’s Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race will have some major bragging rights.Three former champions, five former second-place finishers and nine top-five finishers will start the 27th running of the sled dog race between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Yukon.“You can tell who will be in the top 10, but how the top 10 is going to shape up, I don’t think you can say that,” said Hans Gatt, who won the race three consecutive times from 2002-2004.There will be a new champion after the 2010 race, which begins when Abbie West’s team heads up the Chena River at 11 this morning under the Cushman Street bridge. Last year’s winner, Sebastian Schnuelle, did not enter.Gatt is among the first-place hopefuls, though he perplexed many in 2009 by scratching in Dawson City, Yukon, because his dogs were peaking and ready for the Iditarod.Read more....
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Streeper Sprints through Day Seven of International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race, Maintains Overall Lead |
Jackson, Wyoming-February 5, 2010-Blayne Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, posted the fastest time during Day Seven of the 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with a time of 2:59:41. Streeper raced 10 dogs averaging 14 MPH on the 43-mile course that began 30 miles outside of Evanston, Wyo. Lina Gladh from also from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, came in second with a time of 3:01:48. In third, John Stewart, from Scotland, had a time of 3:09:09. Streeper maintains the overall lead with a time of 22:03:15. Gladh is in second place overall with 22:23:39. Joe Gans from Chaska, Minn., is third with 23:11:11.
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Gladh Posts Fastest Time on Day Six of International Pedigree Stage Stop
Sled Dog Race; Streeper Remains in Overall Lead |
Jackson, Wyoming-February 4, 2010-Lina Gladh from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, placed first with a time of 4:35:11 during Day Six of the 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR). Gladh raced 12 dogs averaging 11.6 MPH on the 53-mile course that began in Kemmerer, Wyo.Aaron Peck from Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada, was second with a time of 4:39:00. Blayne Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, came in third with a time of 4:51:01. Streeper maintains the overall lead with 19:03:34. Gladh is in second place with 19:21:51. Joe Gans from Chaska, Minn., is third with 19:53:19. For a complete schedule, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com, or telephone at (307) 734-1163.
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2010 YUKON QUEST LINE UP -> Race Starts Feb 6th, Fairbanks, Alaska |
February 3, 2010 Fairbanks, AK to Whitehorse, YT - The Yukon Quest International Association is pleased to announce the official mushers position draw for the 2010 Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race.
1. Abbie West 2. Zach Steer 3. David Dalton 4. Sam Deltour 5. Gerry Willomitzer 6. Katie Davis 7. Terry Williams 8. Jocelyne LeBlanc
9. Cindy Barrand 10. Normand Casavant 11. Lance Mackey 12. Brent Sass 13. Hans Gatt 14. Bart De Marie 15. Kelley Griffin 16. Jennifer Raffaeli 17. Ken Anderson 18. Mike Ellis 19. Pierre-Antoine Hertier 20. Sonny Lindner 21. Joshua Cadzow 22. Dries Jacobs 23. Hugh Neff
24. Peter Fleck Visit the Quest official site for more information www.yukonquest.com
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Gans Posts Fastest Team on Day Five of International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race; Streeper in Overall Lead |
Jackson, Wyoming-February 3, 2010-Joe Gans from Chaska, Minn., placed first with a time of 4:08:42 during Day Five of the 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR). Gans raced 12 dogs averaging 12.5 MPH on the 52-mile course that began in Alpine. Blayne Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia came in second with a time of 4:10:34. Lina Gladh, also from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, came in third with a time of 4:17.20. Streeper maintains the overall lead with 14:12:33. Gladh is in second place with 14:46:40. Gans is third with 14:49:01. For a complete schedule, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com, or telephone at (307) 734-1163.
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Streeper Posts Fastest Time on Day Four of International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race Day Four |
Jackson, Wyoming-February 2, 2010-Blayne "Bud" Streeper, age 27, from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, posted the fastest time on Day Four of the 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with a time of 3:57:39. Averaging 13.1 MPH with 12 dogs, this is the third consecutive day that Streeper has had the fastest time. Joe Gans from Chaska, Minn., placed second with a time of 4:13:57. Lina Gladh, from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, came in third with a time of 4:14:15. In overall times, Streeper leads with 10:01:59. Gladh is in second place with 10:29:20. Gans is in third place with 10:40:19. For a complete schedule, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com, or telephone at (307) 734-1163.
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Ididamush: Part One!
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Scott Elnes, a Anchorage, Alaska Ch2 weather man by trade and Alaska adventure enthusiast from gotoak.com, takes to the trail as a cheechako musher. But before he does, he gets a little advice form some seasoned mushers like DeeDee, Martin Buser and Lance Mackey.
Scott says " This was simply one of the greatest adventures of my life and I'm working nearly round the clock to put the whole thing into something that can even remotely do it justice".
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International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race Sprints Through Jackson |
Day 2: British Columbia Mushers Streeper and Gladh Place First and Second in International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race Day Two - Jackson, Wyoming—January 31, 2010—Blayne "Bud" Streeper, age 27, from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, posted the fastest time on Day Two of the 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with a time of 2:54:22. Streeper, winner of the 2004 IPSSSDR, ran 12 dogs and averaged 14.8 MPH on the snowy and windy trail outside Lander, Wyo. Lina Gladh, also from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, placed second for Day Two with a time of 2:59:17; in third, Aaron Peck from Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada, posted a time of 3:01:15. For a complete schedule, visit the race Website at www.wyomingstagestop.org, contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com, or telephone at (307) 734-1163.
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2010 Don Bowers Memorial warms up! |
Don Bowers 200: Seventeen teams signed up for the 200; snow showers likely tomorrow, with temps into the mid 30′s. This is the tenth annual running of the Don Bowers sled dog race. Musher and commercial pilot, Don Bowers,will be the honorary musher with bib #1, Don is probably running in a tee shirt with these temperatures ~ go Don.
Vist the Don Bowers Memorial sled dog races official web site for race updates - click here
Note: There will not be a 300 mile event this year. |
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King Wins Tustumena 200
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Iditarod champion Jeff King from Denali, Alaska was first across the finish line in the hill covered, 200 mile Tustumen sled dog race. Jeff said " I may not be as good as I once was, but I am as good twice as as I ever was". For complete race stats visit the Tustumena 200 official web site ~Click Here
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History of the Tustumena 200
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1984-1994: The Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race had its' humble beginnings as a beer run into the hills. Founded by Dean Osmar, a local musher and 1984 Iditarod champion, the T200 started as just a bunch of guys using their sleds and dog power to get them to a secluded location so they could party without any interruptions.
Or so the story goes...
Dean Osmar tells a different story. He originally started the race for local mushers; more specifically for his son, Tim, a 4 time Jr. Iditarod champion, to acquire the 500 race miles needed to compete in the Iditarod.
1994: The race was officially reorganized by the T200 Sled Dog Race Association. Headed by Suzie Cook, part owner of the Tustumena Lodge, and Evy Gebhardt, wife of local musher, Paul Gebhardt, the race would see phenomenal growth in the next half decade.
Evy became a huge part of the T200 and wouldn't be allowed to leave for five years. An eloquent speaker, Evy began a five-year campaign to make this small town race become the best known on the Peninsula. Becoming a qualifying race for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was one of the finest moments in our race's childhood. Drawing mushers from as far away as Australia, the T200 has truly evolved into one of the great races.
John and Suzie Cook, owners of the official starting point of the race (The Tustumena Lodge), have so generously given the time and space, once a year, to put up with a bunch of noisy dogs in their parking lot. This couple has become such an integral part of the race, it couldn't be called the T200 without them.
Beginning with 10 - 15 local teams, the T200 has grown to 25 - 30 teams, many from around the state, as well as other countries. Originally having a race "purse" of one case of beer, the race now has an estimated purse of $20,000. It sure has come a long way.
In the later months of 1997, Evy heard from an outside source that Kenai Chrysler owner; Bob Favretto, had an interest in the race. Wearing her ever-present pink parka, she enlisted what would become the race's major sponsor. Bob, unable to resist her impassioned pleas and winning smile, graciously donated $5,000 for the race purse.
In 1998, a joint effort of the Tustumena 200 and the Peninsula Winter Games resulted in a Ceremonial Start for the race. Starting at the Kenai City Dock, the mushers do a short sprint carrying a passenger, drop them at Kenai Supply, then continue another 8 miles to Kasilof Airstrip. Children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and local clubs and organizations are matched with a musher and actually draw the starting positions at the pre-race banquet. For some, this is their first experience with dogs, dog sleds, and/or this much adrenaline in one place. There is little that can match the excitement of these kids as they are tucked into the sled bags and the handlers start to "walk" the team to the starting gate. None will forget the intense thrill of whizzing over the frozen landscape and no musher will forget the wonderful feeling of a child's joy.
Click here to follow this weekends 2010 Tustumena race information
2010 Schedule of events
- Vet Checks Fri, Jan 22 - Noon Soldotna Sports Center
- Mandatory Mushers Meeting Fri, Jan 22- 5:30PM Soldotna Sports Center
- Mushers Banquet Fri, Jan 22 – 6PM Soldotna Sports Center
- JRT Race Start Sat, Jan 23 - 9AM Mile 112 Sterling Hwy
- T-200 Race Start Sat, Jan 23 - 11AM Mile 112 Sterling Hwy
- JRT Awards Banquet Sat, Jan 23 – 6PM Tustumena Elementary
- 2010 Awards Banquet Mon, Jan 25 - 6PM Soldotna Sports Center
2010 Race updates - Click here
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Take a Ride Down the Iditarod Trail!
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Iditarod musher, Tim Osmar is doing something a little different this year. He is offering adventourous clients a chance to see what Iditarod mushers see, at least a portion of what Iditarod mushers race on. Although he's hitting the trail at a slower pace as a guide for a select group of willing "novice mushers" to mush from the re-start of Iditarod, at Willow Lake to Finger Lake, Alaska - a distance of about two hundred miles roundtrip.
This is an all inclusive guided sled dog tour, sled dogs included. Clients will need there own personal gear, like snowsuit, sleeping bag etc Tim says he still has a couple openings if anyone wants to take part in the Iditarod excitement without having to run all the way to Nome. Truly an adventure of a lifetime! Drop Nicole an email for more information - click here |
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International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race Turns 15 |
Race Director Teasley weighs snow conditions and trails for January 29 start |
Jackson, Wyoming – January 15, 2010 – The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) mushes through Wyoming to Park City, Utah, January 29 – February 6, 2010, announced Race Director Frank Teasley. Celebrating its 15th year, the dog-friendly, popular-with-mushers race speeds through 10 communities in Wyoming and Utah. Currently, Teasley is hoping for more snow, but after 15 years putting on the race, he has plans A, B and C in place. “We can always figure out a trail that will work,” says Teasley. “In Jackson, the Public Works Department has been storing snow at the Rodeo Grounds just in case we need it.” The IPSSSDR attracts many return racers like Sam Perrino and Grant Beck from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, as well as such newcomers as Chris Adkins from Montana, a rookie in the 2010 race. Buddy Streeper, the only musher in sport history to have won the five majors – Laconia, The Pas, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Yellowknife – returns to Wyoming to vie for victory; he won first place in his first IPSSSDR in 2004. “This year will be a very hard and fast competition from start to finish,” says Teasley. “We have the top 10 teams from last year plus the Streeper Kennel of Fort Nelson, B.C., who have won the IPSSSDR before. Teams will be trying to put clean runs back to back – hoping not so much for good luck as for no bad luck!” The 2010 Jackson IPSSSDR send-off takes place January 29, 2010, at the Jackson Hole Winter Carnival complete with a bonfire, fireworks show, music and food booths, before heading on to stages in Lander, Pinedale, Cora, Big Piney/Marbleton, Alpine, Kemmerer/Diamondville, and Uinta County, and the big finish in Park City. (a schedule follows this release) With its unique “stage stop” format, the race stops in a different town each night, giving the Wyoming communities an opportunity to turn on the hospitality for mushers and spectators alike with events from dog parades, kids’ dog sled races and ice sculpture contests to banquets, carnivals and pie socials. Pedigree® Food for Dogs is the title sponsor of the IPSSSDR. The Pedigree® brand actively supports a wide range of programs that promote responsible pet ownership and highlight the contributions dogs make to society. The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. For more information, visit the race website at www.wyomingstagestop.org; contact the race via e-mail at wystagestop@blissnet.com or telephone at (307) 734-1163.
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Kusko 300 Jan 15-18 |
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Take a Ride Down the Iditarod Trail!
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Iditarod musher, Tim Osmar is doing something a little different this year. He is offering adventourous clients a chance to see what Iditarod mushers see, at least a portion of what Iditarod mushers race on. Although he's hitting the trail at a slower pace as a guide for a select group of willing "novice mushers" to mush from the re-start of Iditarod, at Willow Lake to Finger Lake, Alaska - a distance of about two hundred miles roundtrip.
This is an all inclusive guided sled dog tour, sled dogs included. Clients will need there own personal gear, like snowsuit, sleeping bag etc Tim says he still has a couple openings if anyone wants to take part in the Iditarod excitement without having to run all the way to Nome. Truly an adventure of a lifetime! Drop Nicole an email for more information - click here
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Nome Contributes $50K to Iditarod |
Tue, January 12, 2010 Posted in Alaska News - The Iditarod Trail Committee received another $50,000 donation Monday night from the City of Nome’s Common Council. This comes after four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King personally donated $50,000 to the ITC.
John Francis, KNOM – Nome
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King Wins 2010 CB300 |
| Jeff King slides into the 2010 Copper Basin 300 finish line at 12:33 Mondayafternoon. Jeff said "the winds blew last night. The trails were blown over and it really made for a very long night. You really had to stay focused and very alert or you'd make the wrong turn" ...Jeff credited his leaders for such a good race. Musher Allen Moore just a mile behind. Neck and neck all along the highway this morning. Mushers have made this an exciting run for spectators right from the start. Jocking for positions, and carefully planning rest and runs. For all your Copper Basin 300 race updates- Click here |
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ASDRA 2010 Limited Points Race #2 - Day 1 - Anchorage, Alaska |
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Born to Pull |
Book review - "Born to Pull"- The Glory of Sled Dogs is a book about mushing. Written by Bob Cary and beautifully illustrated by Gail de Marcken. It is wonderfully detailed. The illustrations demonstrate exactly what the writer is trying to get across to the reader.
A great book for the young aspiring musher, the armchair fans and even the seasoned musher. Every aspect of sled dogs is covered in this book, from where the husky originated to the proper care and training of a sled dog. It's written to help you understand the art of mushing and "how they do it" . The illustrator and author combined their talents to publish an excellent book. I recommend it for all ages, to anyone that is interested in learning what makes a musher and a sled dog tick.
A great book for any school, library, and home!
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Copper Basin 300 Updates: |
- KCAM Broadcast live from the start of the Copper Basin 30 - Click here
- For all your Copper Basin 300 race updates- Click here
- Check out Aliy Zyrkle's Blog updates - Click Here
- APRN Audio News Updates - Click Here
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GlenAllen, Alaska Jan 6, 2010 - Howdy CB 300 racers and fans. Here is what we have with around 60 hours till race start. It is currently snowing in the Copper Basin with 4" of new snow in Paxson and Lake Louise. Chisto has received 2" of new snow and heavy snow falling as I write. I snowmachined over the top and across the Gakona connecting with the Paxson side. The river crossing is dry with three ice bridges. John will come from his side tomorrow and stake it more thoroughly. I placed five markers today on the Gakona. The mountain is staked and the permanent rebar markers begin just below the summit. I expect this section of trail to be a little soft for the first few teams. Nobody had traveled this section since I went over it two weeks ago. Although the caribou have beaten it down quite a bit. This will be a bumpy ride. The parking areas beyond Excelsior Creek are established and a couple of downhills with glaciation at the bottom have been marked as hazards. After you climb the bank from crossing upper Sinona Creek the trail is much better due to heavier use. This is 30 miles out of Chisto. My tent camp at 20 mile will be open to mushers. It is marked with a paper plate on the right side of trail. Straw is on the ground and there is firewood, plus a cot. 2-3 teams could fit in there. It is about 95 miles to the finish from there and 38 mile from Paxson. Could be used to break up the 75 mile run to the finish. At 10 mile and 8 mile there are two snack spots marked for pulling teams over to feed and/or reboot(this will get your team off the trail). The trail is staked in and out of Chisto. and to Gakona. There is a small glacier 8 miles out of Chisto towards Gakona-- "x" marks the spot. The Gakona and Gulkana are good at this time going towards Glennallen.
Finally, due to a larger number of teams than expected, we are suggesting to bring a bale of straw. We figured straw on 40 mushers. 150 total bales--thought we could figure on some scratches and smaller teams towards the end. Currently we have 37 teams and have heard there are several more teams coming. If we are short there will be no problem using straw off trucks in the best interest of the dogs. Handlers, be sure to talk to a judge FIRST BEFORE going to the truck to get the straw if needed. This will be addressed at the musher's meeting Friday if you have any questions.
See ya on Friday, Darrin |
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Watch the Kusko 300 Online!
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January 5, 2010 - The Kuskokwim 300: A Race Like No Other is now online. Watch it here: http://www.vimeo.com/8568430 The World Premiere happens Friday at 7pm, at the Bethel Cultural Center. Free admission! K300 Merchandise and Volunteer Sign-ups will be available at the Premiere. The show begins airing on 360 North starting next Thursday, January 14th at 10:30pm, and repeats multiple times throughout the K300 weekend.
The 2010 Kusko 300 sled dog race starts Friday, January 15, 2010 in Bethel, Alaska. Mushers Currently 17 mushers have signed up for the 2010 K300. In order of sign up they are: Ramey Smyth, Jeff King, Dallas Seavey, Mitch Seavey, Jackie Larson, Peter Kasier, Mike Williams Jr, Mike Williams Sr, Ronald Nathan Underwood Sr, Martin Buser, Paul F. Gebhardt, John Baker, Lance Mackey, Quinn Iten, Richie Diehl, William “Middy” Johnson, Robert Nelson.
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Chugiak Dog Mushers Supply the Team - Busineses Supply friendly Competition |
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The Businessperson’s Race is a three-dog, two-mile sprint sled dog race on the groomed trails at Beach Lake Park Sled Dog Trails - Chugiak, Alaska. CDMA Mushers provide the dogs, sled and training, your company provides the businessperson! The Businessperson’s Race entry fee of $150 helps provide trail maintenance, educational speakers, and the continued high quality of dog mushing in our area for youth and adult, racing and recreational, mushers. Businesses are encouraged to make banners or other decorations pertaining to their business for their sled. Sleds will be judged prior to the race by a panel of judges.
The event promises to be filled with fun and all participants will take home their Businessperson’s Race bib. Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the race and the sled-decorating contest.
Play a part in preserving the heritage of our State Sport, Dog Mushing, by entering a team (or teams!) in the CDMA 2010 Businessperson’s Sled Dog Race on Saturday, January 16, 2010 of the Eagle River Classic Weekend. Visit the Chugiak Dog Mushers web site for details.
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4 TIME IDITAROD CHAMP JEFF KING MAKES CONTRIBUTION TO IDITAROD
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Jeff King at Iditarod 2010 sign up
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Wasilla, Alaska – January 4, 2010 – While the Iditarod Trail Committee has experienced significant revenue losses over the past 12 months, it got some great news today from one of its very own. Four-time Iditarod Champion, Jeff King, from Denali Park made a
donation of $50,000.00. The funds will be added to the purse. “This is my way of saying thank you to the Iditarod for doing such a great job of providing an arena for me to experience such success as a dog musher,” said King. “I am so lucky to have been able to make a successful career out of my passion for dogs and the Alaska wilderness, King added. “Jeff King is a Champion in many, many ways,” said Lee Larsen, President of the Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors. “His hope, and my hope, is that others will also want to play whatever role they can by making a contribution to restore the purse or assist in staging “The Last Great Race,” Larsen added. King, 54, was born in California. He came to Alaska in 1975 to "seek adventure." He began mushing in 1976 after he heard Jerry Riley's race finish while listening to the radio. Jeff has an outstanding race record including a Yukon Quest victory in 1989 and four Iditarod victories. He lives with his family on Goose Lake in Denali Park surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Alaska Range. The King's two-story log home is also an art studio for Jeff's wife, Donna, an accomplished medical illustrator and wildlife painter. The owner and operator of Goose Lake Kennels, King breeds, raises and trains 60 to 70 huskies a year. The Kings have three daughters, Cali, 25, Tessa, 23, and Ellen, 18. All the girls have run the Jr. Iditarod and Cali finished the Iditarod. King will make his twenty-first run to Nome when Iditarod XXXVIII gets underway in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
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MUSH MON!
The famous JDT Sun Dogs ready to pull Santa to his next destination!
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Micah Degerlund takes the 2010 Knik 200 |
We have a first place finisher for the Knik 200. Fisrt place is Micah Degerlund 2nd-Erin Redington 3rd-Ken Anderson 4th-Hugh Neff 5th-Judy Currier 6th-John Little --- click here for race stats
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2010 Knik 200 Mushers Hit the Trail!
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| January 2, 2010 - Knik, Alaska - Nineteen mushers hit the trails this morning on the 2010 Knik 200. Dedicated this year in memory of Bruce Braden , a long time Knik 200 race volunteer coordinator. Bruce's home recently burnt down, Bruce was unable to make it out of the fire. This years purse is a little different, instead of a purse breakdown for the top 10 finishers, there is a $2,000, winner takes all . The mushers have donated their entry fees to Bruce's wife, Kit, who was also injured in the fire.
MUSHERS LINEUP: (1).Paul Charron 10:00 (2).Kim Trichett 10:02 (3). Erin Redington 10:04 (4). Lee Kearney 10:06 (5).John Little 10:08 (6). Varon Holt 10:10 (7). Hugh Neff 10:12 (8). Relo Burri 10:14 (9). Sue Allen 10:16 (10). Caleb Hathaway 10:18 (11). Ken Anderson 10:20 (12). Magus Kalterborn 10:22 (13). Dave Dalton 10:24 (14). Karin Hendrickson 10:26 (15). Micah Degerlund 10:28 (16). Judy Currier 10:30 (17). Christine Roelofs 10:32 (18). Bob Storey 10:34 (19).Misha Pedersen 10:36 --- click here for race stats
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Lee Kerney team - 2010 © photo courtesy of June Price
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Knik 200 Trail Report |
Report from Harry Caldwell 12/30/09 - Mushers in the Knik 200 Sled dog race this weekend... After running over the race course today, as Race Marshall I have made the decision to reduce the team size to 12 dogs from 16 dogs.. Check our website for more info... Reason: Mostly overflow in a few areas of concern and our dogs safety.... Best trail ever though, its groomed all the way to Skwentan as of today.... Better than the LA freeway without cars...
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2009 Gin Gin 200 Update |
Wolverine Lodge, Alaska 12/30/09 - It's minus 10 in Glennallen this morning with a light fog. The Gin Gin 200 mushers are rolling in to Wolverine Lodge. Mushers and handlers are gathered around the cafe chattering about their time on the trails. Twenty one mushers have officially completed the 2010, 200 mile sled dog race. Mihelle Phillips arrived tuesday evening, placing first in the women's division, with Abbie West placing second an hour and sixteen minutes behind her. Musher Maren Bradley taking thrid. In the men's division, Lance Mackey was the first to arrive into Wolverine Lodge finishing at 6:48 pm tueday evening. Brent Sass placed second at 8:06 pm tuesday, in thrid was Josh Cadzow. For complete race results click here
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Skijour with a friend? |
| by Chris and " Keyli" |
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GIN GIN 200 Heats Up! |
Temperatures may have settled to minus 12 last night along the Maclaren River but that didn't stop some hot mushers from moving full steam ahead on the Gin Gin 200 this year. In the womens division Abbie West controls the lead , Michelle Phillips is hot on her trail with only seven minutes separating the two of them. Musher Zoya DeNure is in thrid place arriving into Maclaren River Lodge with one dog in her basket. If Abbie can keep her lead, we could have a finisher in the women's division sometime around 8:28 this evening.
In the men's division, it's Lance Mackey in the lead. The 2008 Gin Gin champion, Brent Sass, is holding 2nd to the 3 time Iditarod champion, Lance Mackey, with an hour and 28 minutes seperating them. Mushers Josh Cadzow and Jason Mackey are close behind Brent. Lance can leave Maclaren checkpoint at 7:50 am and judging from his run time into Maclaren River Lodge, he could finish sometime around 7:50 this evening. The rest of the pack in both the men's and the women's division has a big gap, leaving spectators to wonder just what is going on. Reports of heavy fog just 20 miles out of the Maclaren checkpoint may be the factor.
Click here for photos by Lisa Memmel - For complete race stats click here
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Follow the Gin Gin 200 - Wolverine to Maclaren & Back!
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The Gin Gin 200 is now underway. A 200 mile sled dog race from Wolverine Lodge near Glennallen, Alaska to Maclaren River Lodge located along the Denali Highway and back to Wolverine Lodge. Mushers left Wolverine Lodge in a mass start this morning, 10 mushers in the women's division took to their sleds at 11 am and 23 in the men's division jumped on their runners at high noon rooster tailing across Lake Louise.
All mushers must carry all the gear and dog food needed for the entire 200 mile sled dog race with the exception of straw provided at Maclaren Lodge and meals that can be purchased at Maclaren Lodge.
Normally the race runs along the Denali Highway from paxson Lodge to Maclaren Lodge with a 90 mile loop along the river bed. Trails conditions this year were poor on many sections of the highway making it unsafe for teams to cross. Trail coordinator, John Schandelmier said "it was just too wind blown and mushers have had problems routinely in that area in years past".
An eight hour mandantory layover will be at Maclaren Lodge, the halfway point of the race. Temperatures are expected to drop down to zero tonight with calm winds and heavy fog. The first mushers are expected into Maclaren Lodge sometime around midnight tonight with a finish sometime tommrow evening around 8 or 9 pm. Stay tuned for updates throughout the race.
For race stats - click here
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Knik 200 on as Scheduled |
THE KNIK 200 WILL BE ON as scheduled! All of the race paper work and entries were lost in the Braden's house fire. The race entries and purse will be donated to Kit Bradens.
All you mushers, lets give Bruce a huge send off and help Kit out by running in this year Knik 200... If your not a musher, then please volunteer or donate what you can, lets show Kit that in dark & tragic times that there is a sparkling gleam of light.... Pass the word gang! For questions, sign ups and sign up confirmations please call Harry Caldwell 907-373-1300
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House Fire in Mat-Su Claims Life of Volunteer Knik 200 Race Coordinator |
December 22, 2009 Knik, Alaska - Many of you will know the names Kit and Bruce Braden from the Knik 200 sled dog race, their home in Knik burned down last night. Kit escaped but is in the hospital and their dogs are fine but Bruce was killed in the fire. More info as it becomes available. Read more from KTUU Ch2...
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Cim Smyth Wins the Alaska Excursions 120 |
Willow musher, Cim Smyth has won the Alaska Excurions 120 by a mere 3 minutes over second place finisher Paul Gebhardt. Such a close finish always has fans jumping with excitement, today was no exception. Spectators and mushers are raving about the new Alaska Excursions 120 and how well organized it is. Congraulations go to Ryan & Erin Redington for putting on a first class sled dog race.
Final Race results click here (PDF)
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The Alaska Excursions 120 Race Updates
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December 19 2009 - Knik, Alaska - Ryan Redington leads the way on the Alaska Excursions Sled Dog Race tonight,covering a distance of 46 miles this evening. Paul Gebhardt (2nd), Ray RedingtonJr (3rd), Cim Smyth (4th) Dean Osmar (5th) & Martin Buser (6th) clipping at his heels. One musher, bib #40, listed as "Isla" was disqualified for taking the wrong trail. Weather forecast: Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows zero to 5 above. East wind 10 to 15 mph For Race stats click here (PDF)
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Copper Basin 300 Purse $12,000 |
December 18, 2009 - Glennallen, Alaska - After doing some hard figuring, the Copper Basin 300 Board has decided on a minimum amount for the 2010 race. The Board decided on $12,000. Like lots of races in the state, donations are not rolling in. Those who have generously donated, we can't thank you enough. The CB300 race is a 100% volunteer organization. The race relies on musher entrants to beef up the purse. The focus of this organization is to provide mushers of all caliber the opportunity to race through some of the most amazing, and toughest, terrain Alaska has to offer, on a well marked and safe trail. So, if you have been wondering what you should do with your free time the second weekend in January, why not come on down, up, or over to Glennallen and try your hand at the "Toughest 300 Miles". We look forward to seeing you! Registration is January 8th at the Legion Hall in Glennallen. Race start is January 9th in front of KCAM in Glennallen.Visit the Copper Basin 300 web site for more information....
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Important Updates on the Gin Gin 200 |
December 18, 2009: it's Official as of today! The Gin Gin 200 will start/end at Wolverine Lodge this year. Mass Start for women at 11am and men at noon. 8 hr mandatory break at Maclaren Lodge. Click here for more details (PDF)
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The Alaska Excursios 120 |
Knik, Alaska - A grand new sled dog race hits the circut this weekend and it's bringing in a good crowd of mushers .The Alaska Excursions 120 will be held on December 19th and 20th, 2009. On day one, mushers will start in order of sign up. There is a guaranteed minimum purse of $4000 to be paid out to the top 5 adults (awards for the top 3 juniors, TBA). Musher Listing (Current as of 12/15/2009):
1. Kathy Frederick-Willow 2. Varan Hoyt-Wasilla 3. Raymie Redington- Knik 4. Paul Gebhardt- Kasilof 5. Kristy Berington- Kasilof
6. Ryan Redington- Knik 7. Karin Hendrickson- Wasilla 8. Pam Aviza- Wasilla 9. Debbie Moderow- Anchorage 10. Jan Steves- 11. Ted English- Willow 12. Cook Inlet Kennels #1- Clam Gulch 13. Caleb Hathaway- Willow 14. Kelley Griffin- Wasilla 15. Alan Miller- Nenana
16. Rick Mackey- 17. Jane Faulkner- Soldotna 18. Ray Redington Jr.- Knik 19. Cim Smyth- Big Lake 20. Jesse Beebe- Knik 21. Bruce Linton- Kasilof 22. Brendon Johnson- Kasilof 23. Perry Solmonson- Nikiski 24. Jeff Deeter- Wasilla 25. Jason Mackey- Kasilof 26. Cook Inlet Kennels #2- Clam Gulch 27. Christina Roalofs- Anchorage 28. Kim Trickett- Willow 29. Richard Hum- Talkeetna 30. Tim Osmar- Kasilof
31. TBA 32. TBA 33. TBA 34. Meredith Mapes- Knik 35. Emily Krol- Knik 36. Marissa Osmar- Kasilo . Click here for trail & race updates
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"Running with Spirits" the 2008 All Alaska Sweepstakes now on DVD! |
Husky Productions has released "Running with Spirits" just in time for Christmas. A DVD that celebrates the 100th year of the All Alaska Sweepstakes. Documenting the 2008 sled dog race from Nome to Candle and back. Familiar names like Jeff King, Mitch Seavey, Lance Mackey, Sonny Lindner, Hugh Neff, Cim Smyth, Ed Iten and 10 other mushers run this rough Alaskan race from the start on Nomes' Front street, with the crowds cheering and wishing each and every musher a safe journey to remote make shift checkpoints and back to Nome - a distance of 408 miles.
The All Alaska Sweepstakes was the first major long distance sled dog race in the world. With the 2008 centennial re-run of the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race, you can once again experience the excitement of the early history of the gold rush era in Alaska. This is a great stocking stuffer for any mushing fan.
Priced at $30
plus shipping
To order click here
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| 2010 Copper Basin 300 Updates |
First of all, we would like to thank 3-time CB300 champ Allen Moore, former Quest champs Sonny Linder and Aliy Zirkle for signing up for the 2010 race. We have decided to run the race backwards this year so the weather has turned backwards on us. In general the eastern and southern portion of the Copper Basin has received greater snow fall than the northern and western areas. The trail in and out of Gakona and Chistochina is in good condition and there are no issues with hooking a team down. Read more....
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IFSS 2009-2010 World Cup Series |
| Sign up now as an IFSS World Cup Event for 2009-2010! Winners qualify for IFSS 2011 World Championships in Norway!
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What is IFSS World Cup?
The IFSS World Cup Series offers a worldwide ranking system for mushers. It provides opportunity for promotion of mushing and mushers and welcomes participation from race giving organizations (RGOs) in each class from all regions of the world.
2009-2010 World Cup and 2011 World Championships
Entry into the World Championship is in part based on a competitor’s World Cup ranking for the past year. The first three finishers in the 2010 World Cup in each class in each region will automatically be awarded a World Championship berth for the World Championship to be held in Norway in 2011. In addition, medalists in the 2009 IFSS World Championship in Daaquam (Canada) will be eligible to enter in the same class.
Each country is also entitled to three berths in each sprint and Nordic class in the 2010 World Championship in Norway. However, there is no limit to the number of entries into the mid-distance and long distance classes. Criteria for selection of the teams is up to each IFSS National Federation (IF). Mushing USA has set World Cup ranking as part of its criteria for Team USA 2011 Norway. In addition, each country will be able to enter one Nordic Purebreed team in each class.
IFSS, together with the 2011 host, the Norwegian Sleddog Federation (NHF), will also be offering travel money to help defray costs for those competitors traveling from overseas to Norway.
South America has already staged its Continental Championships in both dryland and snow, and snow races are around the corner in the northern hemisphere. Offer your USA mushers a part of the action in Norway!
Sign up now for 2009-2010 IFSS World Cup! Visit the IFSS website at www.sleddogsport.com for the World Cup application and information.
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IDITAROD EXPERIENCES SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN FUNDING |
Anchorage, Alaska – December 5, 2009 - In another reflection of our economic times, during the past 12 months the Iditarod Trail Committee has experienced a loss in funding of nearly $1 million dollars. In late 2008, one media partnership and one significant reduction in sponsorship totaling $485,000 impacted the race. The top thirty finishers in the 2009 race felt the affect as prize money was reduced by $300,000, down from $925,000.
This past June the Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC) adopted an annual operating budget with cuts in spending of $319,000, most of which were in the form of personnel costs. More recently, additional cuts exceeding $200,000 have been made to reflect the loss of the media partnership and modifications to ITC’s Insider Video on Demand project.
Within the past month, one other media partnership and two sponsorship deals were not renewed, totaling an additional loss of $455,000 in revenues. The ITC will make additional cuts to personnel and various other areas of the budget, including a $100,000 reduction in the 2010 prize money. “We are not immune from the economic turmoil that is impacting many of our partners,” said Stan Hooley, Executive Director of ITC. “I think there is the perception that we are on solid ground, but the truth is, at this moment in time we aren’t where we need to be. We have 100 days until we get underway for the 38th time. I’m optimistic that between now and then we will be able to welcome some new companies to our current family of dedicated sponsors. There isn’t a better time in our recent history for a sponsorship to be have a significant impact and be sincerely appreciated by those who are passionate about this race,” added Hooley. “One thing we know for sure is that excitement about the Iditarod remains at an all-time high and
we will stage the world’s premier sled dog race in March,” said Lee Larsen, President of the ITC Board of Directors. “To all of our race fans who have supported this race, this year more than ever, we need your support by attending our banquets, subscribing to our online Insider Video on Demand and GPS Tracker services, purchasing raffle tickets and some of our great 2010 race merchandise. I look forward to the day that we can look back at this point in time and understand that these difficult times helped to galvanize our organization and the mushing community,” added Larsen. Iditarod XXXVIII will begin in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, March 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of 4th Avenue and D Street. |
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SHEEP MOUNTAIN 150 SLED DOG RACE CANCELLED |
12/06/09 SHEEP MOUNTAIN, ALASKA - Poor snow conditions in the upper elevations of the Sheep Mountain 150 sled dog race have forced race director Zack Steer to cancel this year's race which was scheduled for December 12-13.
Although there is good snow cover on the ground near Sheep Mountain and Eureka Lodges, high winds over the last few days have removed most of the snow in the upper elevations of the nearby Talkeetna mountains. The Sheep Mountain 150 is not so much a competitive race as it is a tune-up and training race for teams as they prepare for longer races such as Yukon Quest or Iditarod. The goal of this race is to provide mushers with a well-marked, safe course for early season distance training and competition. Because of the hazardous conditions, the race will be cancelled. The race will not be rescheduled.
Steer says: "There is not enough snow to support 45 dogteams, especially on the downhill sections in the mountains. Mushers are not be able to control their dogteams 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"
For further information, please contact: Zack Steer Race Director, Sheep Mountain 150www.sheepmountain.com
info@sheepmountain.com Mile 113.5 Glenn Highway Fax 907.745.5120 Toll Free 877-645-5121
Ph. 907.745.5121 Mailing address: 17701 W. Glenn Hwy Sutton, AK 99674
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2010 Iditarod Rookies attend Mandantory Meeting |
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12/05/09 ANCHORAGE, ALASKA- The 2010 Iditarod rookies were in Anchorage, Alaska this weekend attending a mandatory meeting for first time Iditarod mushers. Twenty three "Cheechakos" have signed up to race the 2010 Iditarod, which begins March 6 in downtown Anchorage. The rookie meeting is designed to help ease some of the anxiety typically associated with a race this size.The first day, seasoned mushers like DeeDee Jonrowe and Lance Mackey share their experiences and what works for them. Ways to organize your gear, what style sled runners work, how many do you go thorugh in a race, how to properly pack your sled so you are not wasting time dumping it out onto the snow looking for one item. Packing only what you need. Offering suggestions on what to send out to each check point and why with emphasis on the importance of making a race plan and allowing room for unexpected circumstances such as sick dogs or bad weather. Day two rookies head out to the kennel of Iditarod musher, Martin Buser, to get some hands on training. Martin will talk to the rookies about what to put in their drop bags, strategies on running, resting and feeding their dogs in a marathon race like the Iditarod. The entire weekend is open for questions and learning from those that have been there done that.
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The Alaska Excursion 120 |
The Alaska Excursions 120 is still on for December 19-20, 2009. The Alaska Excursions should be a good race - Rick Mackey, Jason Mackey, Dean Osmar , DeeDee Jonrowe and Mike Jonrowe , Tim Osmar and his daughter, Joe Redington Jr., Ramie Redington, Ray Redington, Ryan Redington, Paul Gebhardt, Kelley Griffin, Alan Miller, Debbie Moderow, Kathy Frederick, Karin Henrickson , these are just a few of the teams racing, a total of 37 teams have signed up to date. The limit is 40 teams. It should be a great race. Sponsored by the Aurora Dog Mushers Association.
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Sheep Mountain 150 Trail Conditions Improve! |
- Ok, Ok, you can stop the snow dance.... 14 inches of snow today and still falling. We will begin grooming trails wednesday (if it stops snowing) and report back ASAP. At this time I would revise my odds to 95% sure the race will happen. Final decision made no later than Sunday night. ~ Zack Steer ~ www.sheepmountain.com
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Cool Runnings: Jamaican Seeks Iditarod Glory |
by December 1, 2009- www.NPR.org
Jamaica and Iditarod are not two things you normally hear together. But Newton Marshall of the Jamaican dogsled team aims to change that. This week, Marshall starts training with three-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey. Mackey says people initially didn't think Marshall had a chance, but he proved everyone wrong.
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Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Adds A Few Familar Names to List
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The Alaska Sports Hall of Fame announced today the Class of 2010. Lance Mackey, four time Yukon Quest Champion and three time Iditarod Champion, is one of those names. In addition, his father, Dick Mackey, will also be added to this elite group as one of the "moments" in Alaska sports, when Dick won the 1978 Iditarod, beating Rick Swenson by one second. Alaskans still talk about that great Iditarod race.
The other individuals include Native games champion-turned-state legislator Reggie Joule, Olympic snowboarding bronze medalist Rosey Fletcher, and the late Bradford Washburn, a leading mountaineer and pioneering photographer. The other moment to be enshrined is Elliot Sampson's victory in the 1981 all-school state cross country meet, when the Eskimo from Noorvik upset a future national champion in the indoor mile. The Midnight Sun Baseball Classic in Fairbanks is the honored event. For more information about the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame visit their web site - Click Here.
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4 Time Iditarod Champion, Martin Buser aims to study canine CO2, heart rates & more! |
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Mile 101 will become a checkpoint for the 2010 Yukon Quest! |
For the first time, Mile 101 will be a checkpoint of the Yukon Quest. This is in addition to the checkpoint at Two Rivers and 9 others including the Start and Finish for a total of 11 checkpoints for the 2010 race. Read more about Mile 101, the transformation and preparations for making it a Checkpoint and working with the Vet Team at Mile 101.Click here...
Quest Banquet Tickets - Don't forget to get your Yukon Quest banquet tickets, they are going fast.The Start Banquet in Fairbanks will take place on Wednesday, February 3rd at the Carlson Center. Tickets are $60 US each and doors open at 5pm. Drop by our office in Fairbanks or call us at (907) 452-7954 to buy your tickets.
The Yukon Convention Centre will be hosting the Finish and Awards Banquet in Whitehorse, doors open at 5pm and tickets cost $75 CAD. Tickets are available at our office in Whitehorse, or call (867) 668-4711 for more information.
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40 Mushers Set to Run Sheep Mountain 150 |
A field of 40 teams have signed up for the 2009 Sheep Mountain 150 sled dog race. Entries are still being accepted until the race limit of 50 teams is full. The Sheep Mountain 150 is a 150-mile sled dog race to be held December 12-13, 2009. The race starts and finishes at Sheep Mountain Lodge at mile 113 of the Glenn Highway and has two, five-hour layovers at Eureka Lodge. Some of the race can be viewed directly from the highway and fans can watch and meet the mushers at the Eureka lodge checkpoint Saturday night.This year’s race features top distance mushers such as current Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey, Aily Zirkle, Paul Gebhardt and defending Sheep Mountain 150 Champion Jessica Hendricks. The race kicks off the beginning of the Alaska distance sled dog racing season and is now an official qualification race for Iditarod rookies.
Race updates will be posted to:www.sheepmountain.com/SheepMtn150.php This will be the best source for current race updates and final results. For more detailed information about the race please go to www.sheepmountain.com or contact Zack Steer, race director, at 907-745-5121. |
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Norman Vaughan Serum Run Changes Event Schedule |
The Norman Vaughan Serum Run is now a biennial even,t running in the odd years, with the next event taking place in Feb. 2011. However, in the even years starting in Feb. 2010 we plan to hold a" Serum Run Boot Camp" for those interested in the Nenana to Nome Serum Run. The Serum Run is looking at holding the Serum Run Boot Camp on February 12- 15 (tentative dates), 2010 where interested mushers and snowmachiners can get a better idea of what the Serum ’25 Run is all about.
The trip is limited to 15 mushers and 25 snowmachiners. Serum Run veterans are encouraged to apply, but future, first-time Serum Runners will be given priority.For more information visit the Serum Run web site.
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Mushing History Conference |
The 2009 Mushing History Conference is bringing together an unprecedented gathering of authors, historians, researchers, writers, veteran mushers and supporters of the colorful history of sled dog travel. Presentations will cover the evolution of man's relationship with working sled dogs, including delivering the U.S. mail by dogteam, sled dog use in polar expeditions, the Centennial of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, Joe Redington's work with dogteams for the U.S. Army, trapline use of sled dogs in the North American fur trade, historic and present-day sled dog races, the early Nome author Esther Birdsall Darling, the evolution of sled dog nutrition and diets, the Iditarod Trail Committee's historical documentary about the race, and much more.
Click here for details
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Party on with the Jamaica Dogsled Team in Toronto! |
It's time to party with the Jamaican Dog Sled Team in Toronto on Thursday November 12, 2009 - 7 pm till midnight. Both Jamaican dog mushers (Damion and Newton) will be there as well as a host of other Jamaican Dog Team supporters.
There are great prizes and of course lots of fun - Caribbean style! Come out to support the team - you never know...you might even end up with your own all-inclusive vacation to Jamaica! Tickets are $65. Proceeds to support the Jamaican Dog Sled Teams in their quest for success during the 2010 race season. Contact Tricia Ruddok at (416) 266-3462 or email her. --- Mush Mon
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Enter to win a 2010 Iditarod print or poster! |
Jon Van Zyle is running a contest to win a 2010 Iditarod print & poster...if you love his work here's your chance to win your very own Van Zyle. Vist their web site for details at http://www.jonvanzyle.com
Art is Jon’s life and Alaska, all Alaska, has been his inspiration. Artist Jon Van Zyle has seen more of Alaska in a much more unique way than most can ever hope to experience. Jon has twice completed the 1049 miles of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race between Anchorage and Nome. From these adventures he has created the yearly Iditarod poster series commemorating the race and his involvement. In 1979 he was made the official Iditarod artist, a title he still holds today. In 2004 he was inducted into the Iditarod Hall of Fame.
His acrylic paintings go beyond the race though, and encompass so much of the Alaska beauty. Jon's reputation as a storyteller through his art is further enhanced by his prints, posters and stone lithographs. Dog teams, landscapes, wildlife, Alaskan faces from native to newcomer, portray an intimacy with the land and it's people. He touches on history with studies of Alaskan pioneers and native traditions and lore recording the Alaskan spirit. Public acceptance of his shared feeling through his art has been his greatest reward.
Jon's art career has spanned over 3 decades. Prolific artist, he produces numerous paintings a year for one man exhibitions in the United States as well as Europe. Illustrating at least two children's books a year since 1993 for prestigious publishers has earned him a reputation with a younger audience as well as many awards for his children's art. His limited edition prints and posters sell out regularly with well over 300 editions in the last 30-plus years.
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IFSS Announces Training Camp in Scandinavia 2010 |
Melbourne, Australia, October 15, 2009 – The International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) has announced that a designated amount of money will be allocated for 12 people from IFSS member federations to attend a training camp to develop their abilities and the sleddog sport in their country and region. Only one person from each federation will be accepted. All transportation and accommodations will be paid for by the joint contributions of IFSS and the Scandinavian national federations, Norges Hundejörerforbund (NHF) and Svenska Draghundsportförbundet (SDSF).
For 10 days, from 26 February to 7 March, 2009, 12 individuals will have an exciting opportunity to participate in an extensive training course, emphasizing Nordic pulka and skijoring but also including training with Nome sled, to take place in Norway and Sweden. Participants will first travel to Mora, Sweden, on February 26th and then go on to Orsa Hamar, Norway, March 4th to compete in the Trail World Championships.
The purposes of the camp are two-fold: (1) to help improve abilities of international competitors who wish to compete in the IFSS World Championships in Norway in 2011 and (2) to educate and train people who can teach others in their home country or region. Practice and theory will be taught with particular emphasis on skiing technique, waxing material and organization and cooperation in sleddog sports. The training leaders will be Ulla-Kari Pontén of Sweden, who will lead in Nordic; Malin Sundin, who will instruct in long distance sled; Sara Sundin, trainer for Nordic and sled; and Bengt Pontén, IFSS president who will work with Nordic skills. Present will also be several instructors from the local sled dog club in Sweden and the Ski College in Mora.
Prospective applicants are invited to apply by requesting application form and materials from Darren Watson, IFSS Vice President for Development (darrenwatson01@gmail.com) or Sally O’Sullivan Bair, IFSS Secretary General (sbair@tds.net). Completed applications must be received by IFSS (Darren Watson) no later than November 7, 2009, so that the selection process can be completed and selected participants will have time to make appropriate arrangements.
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Live Streaming Audio of the International Sled Dog Symposium |
| October 8th, 2009 - Sponsored by GCI and Sled Dog Studio.Theater presentations at this year’s symposium will again be streamed on the Internet. The link to listen to the stream will be adma.no-ip.org:8000. Once there, click on the “Listen” link in the top menu bar. Prior to the symposium and during some breaks, a stream of past sessions will be playing intermittently; during the symposium sessions, the stream will be live. |
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Paint the Rink Pink! |
It's the annual Paint the Rink Pink Anchorage Aces game – breast cancer awareness night. DeeDee had the honor to drop the puck for start of the event. The Aces v. Kalamazoo, proceeds will benefit Breast Cancer Focus, Inc! The Aces will once again wear commemorative pink jerseys that will be auctioned off following the October 8th game, and both teams will play on Sullivan Arena ice dyed pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. DeeDee said "it was a fun way to get awareness out about a horrable disease" - join in the fight!
To learn more about DeeDee Jonrowe, visit her web site at www.deedeejonrowe.com |
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Torch River Run - Iditarod Qualifier |
The Torch River Run will start on March 3 and finish March 6, 2010. It will be ran as an Iditarod qualifier, but will not be a qualifier this year. It will be a “points race” for Ma Mow We Tak members. Race officials want to keep the race as simple as possible; therefore it will be a wilderness race. The Torch River Run will run approximately 200 miles with no more than 10 and no less than 8 dogs, and must finish with no fewer than 5 dogs in harness and on the towline. Read more...
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3 Time Iditarod Champion joins up with the Livestrong Foundation
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LIVESTRONG Day is a global day of action to inspire people to join in the global fight against cancer in communities around the world, inspired by Livestrong chairman and founder, Lance Armstrong. Following Lance Armstrong's diagnosis of advanced testicular cancer on October 2, 1996, before he knew whether he would survive, Lance started his foundation to fight cancer and help others affected by the disease. This year, LIVESTRONG Day was on October 2 to demonstrate that each person can make a difference in the cancer fight.
3 time Iditarod & 4 time Yukon Quest champion, Lance Mackey spent the day in Anchorage, Alaska visting various locations including The Alaska Club, The Skinny Raven, Providence Cancer Center and The Native Medical Center, supporting the Livesrong Day. Lance said " It's so important to unite in this fight. Cancer effects all of us". With tears in his eyes Lance spoke to a crowd at the Anchorage Bicyle Shop about his battle with cancer and stressed to those dealing with the disease to fight with an attitude.
It’s the day members of every community celebrate survivorship and raise awareness about the fight against cancer in communities across the globe. Visit the Livestrong web site for more information.
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Gin Gin 200 & Taiga 300 have new starting dates |
The new starting date for the Gin Gin 200 has been rescheduled for Dec. 28th, 2009, same time, same place. Race coordinator, Zoya DeNure says "Our checkpoint, Maclaren River Lodge has been booked for their New Years Eve party, 40 some snow machines plus a firework display party. As a race organization, we have discussed all of our options and considered all the safety factors involved---and we feel this is the next best thing we can do without having to do a route change".
Please note the Taiga 300 date changes as well. The new Taiga 300 starting date will take place on Feb. 18th 2010, starting and ending at Wolverine Lodge. Contact Zoya DeNure for more information at 907-347-9013 |
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IFSS Seeks Bids for 2013 Winter World Championships |
Monticello, Minnesota USA, October 1, 2009 – The International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) is seeking bids to host the 2013 IFSS Winter World Championship. IFSS Winter World Championships are generally held in the winter of the year over a 2-week period.
Interested parties are encouraged to apply through their respective National Federation, which will forward the bid to IFSS. Deadline for bids to be submitted to IFSS is August 1, 2010. The final decision rests with the IFSS Council, which will make its decision no later than 30 days after the 2010 IFSS General Assembly, scheduled for September, 2010. Winter World Championships include classes in Nordic style and Nome (sled) sprint, long distance and mid-distance. IFSS prefers that all events be located in the same general area.
Interested applicants are also invited to make a presentation to the 2010 IFSS General Assembly. However, this is not required. The timing of the final decision is to allow the accepted bidder to come to the 2011 IFSS World Championships in Norway to observe and gain information regarding hosting such an auspicious event.
Interested applicants are requested to send a Letter of Intent, specifying the place and tentative dates and main contact information, to IFSS Secretary General Sally O’Sullivan Bair (email: sbair@tds.net; tel: +1 763 295 5465 – in the USA) by June 1, 2010. For questions and information regarding the contents that must be contained in the bid, please contact IFSS Secretary General Bair. |
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Major Sled Dog Organizations to Hold Unification Talks in Sweden |
Borlänge, Sweden, September 29, 2009 – Kiruna, Sweden, in the latitudes of northern Sweden, will play host to talks between the major international organizations in sled dog sports. Bengt Pontén, President of the International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS), Lars Svanfeldt, President of the European Sled Dog Racing Association (ESDRA), and Dave Steele, Executive Director of the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA), will meet together the weekend of 2-4 October in Kiruna to discuss aspects of the unification process proposed by the major players in the sport.
The process, outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and signed by the organizations in late 2008, has as its goal the merger into one international governing organization for sled dog sports to better serve the sled dog community worldwide. Although the process involves many steps and is due to take a few years until completion, the parties involved are optimistic that a positive result can eventually come. Commented IFSS President Pontén: “Each organization brings strong accomplishments and has contributed in a major way to the development of the sport, but it is time to come together into one worldwide organization that will better advance the whole sport and diffuse the current rifts that exist.”
Already each organization has completed an analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats – SWOT) and a tentative model of what a bona fide international organization could look like. However, there is still much work to be done. After the organizations’ leaders reach tentative agreement on a structure, there will follow a period of public comment before final approval can be made.
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Copper Basin 300 Makes Changes |
| written by Heidi Sutter |
The Copper Basin 300 board has been hard at work, meeting over the past two months getting another awesome race together. This year there are some exciting changes.
- The race course has been changed this year. The race will begin in Glennallen, in front of KCAM radio station. The race will then head WEST along the highway to Tolsona (the way the race finished in 2006). The race will continue along in a clockwise direction around the route. Once back in Glennellen, the trail will loop behind Glennallen along the firebreak trail (the route used in last year's race to bypass Glennallen.) The race will end at Tolsona Lodge. Currently we are planning to cut out the following trail section: the run up the Denali Highway, down the bank, across Summit Lake, across the highway and down the pipeline. Instead we will cross at 1 Mile Creek. (This is the reroute of 2007.) The race will go directly East to the Gakona River from there. This should give the race right at 300 miles.
- The mandatory time this year has also been changed. There will be an 8 hour mandatory plus start differential lay over taken at any checkpoint. The remaining 10 hours of mandatory time can be taken at any checkpoint in half hour increments. This is a change from last years rules of 12 additional hours of mandatory time.
- The entry fee has increased to $400. The fee increases to $450 past December 31.
Be sure to sign up early!!This year's race starts on Saturday the 9th of January in front of KCAM in Glennallen. Race check-in starts Friday the 8th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Race Central (The American Legion). The race drawing and Musher's meeting will be held at the Brownbear Rhodehouse at 5:30PM on Friday the 8th of January. The 2010 race will run clockwise around the route from Glennallen, finishing at Tolsona Lake.
The Copper Basin 300 web site has been recently updated. Be sure to check it often for trail reports and race information as we draw closer to race day.
A fun CB300 factoid: both the Yukon Quest and Iditarod Champions had numerous teams in the Copper Basin last year.
The Copper Basin 300 Board looks forward to seeing you on race day! |
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Willow Dog Mushers Host 2nd Annual Symposium
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Denali Doubles Invitational Sled Dog Race |
A sled dog race like no other. The Denali Double has mushers chattering and old timers cheering. It's all about the gee pole. There is a 20 team limit to this unique sled dog race to be held in Cantwell, Alaska.The race will be approximately 264 miles running from Cantwell to Maclaren River Lodge and back to Cantwell. Two mushers per ‘team’ (Tandem sleds, gee pole sled, sled and skier) 16 dogs maximum per team. ...to be eligible, one musher of each team must have placed in the top 5, or receiveda Humanitarian award or have been awarded Rookie of the year in any dog sled race prior to sign up. Entries will be accepted after 10 am November 1st 2009 by fax or mail. Rules will be published on-line by Oct.1st. Race will start thursday, February 11th 2010. Contact Jeff King for more information. Visit Jeff Kings web site for details.
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2009 Gin Gin Sign-up Begins |
The Gin Gin 200 is one of the first distance races of the season and an official Iditarod qualifier. It is a 200 mile sled dog race from Paxson Lodge to MaClaren River Lodge and back, following closely along the Denali Highway through some of the most beautiful and often bone chilling Alaskan back country you could imagine. This year, 10 mushers have already signed up for the challenge. MUSHERS: Ava Linder, Colen Robertia, Zoya DeNure, JR Kennel (handler) Peter Fleck, Braxton Peterson, Cain Carter,Sonny Linder, Newton Marshall and Lance Mackey .For more information or to sign up visit the Gin Gin 200 web site.
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Newton Marshall named "Sports Ambassador" for Jamaica |
After placing 13th in the Yukon Quest, Newton Marshall has qualified to compete in the 2010 Iditarod, a grueling 1000+ mile race across Alaska! Newton will be training for the next eight months under three-time Iditarod and four-time Yukon Quest champion Lance Mackey in Fairbanks, Alaska. But that’s not all Newton has to be proud of…he was just appointed the new Sports Ambassador for Jamaica! CONGRATULATIONS NEWTON!! Go to their web site to learn more about Newton Marshall and the Jamaican team.
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Martin Buser goes to Norway |
Four time Iditarod Champion, Martin Buser was invited to speak at the annual HAKADAL SEMINAR near Oslo, Norway September 5 & 6.Martin showed his video of "walking" 20 adult dogs off leash. He discussed the efficiencies in kennel operations and his racing philosophy. Below is a short clip of his time there.
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Four Time Iditarod Champion Jeff King Sprints to Fur Rondy! |
Distance musher Jeff King, known for his racing in the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest, now looks to add the legendary Fur Rendezvous World Championship to his list of accomplishments. The Fur Rondy, held in February in Anchorage, Alaska is one of the most exciting sprint races in North America. Jeff said "Running the Rondy has long been a goal of mine and will be a welcome challenge, giving me the ultimate experience in sprint racing. I am beyond excited and am shopping for Spandex."
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Fur Rondy Trailer 2010 from susan l trussell on Vimeo.
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14 Mushers Sign Up for 2010 Yukon Quest! |
4 time Yukon Quest Champion, Lance Mackey is back for the 2010 Yukon Quest. Lance was one of the first to sign up for the 2010 Yukon Quest. After sitting out last years race Lance said "It's good to be back. I am looking forward to this years challenges." Fourteen mushers are signed up to date. The line up includes veteran musher Ken Anderson, Zack Steer, Normand Casavant, Mike Ellis and Becca Moore. This years rookies are Jennifer (Brown) Raffaeli, Abbie, Cindy Barrand, Peter Fleck and Katie Davis. |
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Yukon Quest Appoints New Executive Director |
August 7, 2009 (Fairbanks, Alaska) - The Board of Directors in Alaska for the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race are pleased to announce the appointment of Marti Steury as the new Executive Director in Fairbanks.
“The Board's near-term priorities for the Executive Director are growing local and international partnerships, building sponsorship relations and ensuring fiscal responsibility,” said Julie Estey, Acting President of the Board of Directors. “Marti brings the experience, skills and relationships to make that happen. We are confident she is the best person to move the Yukon Quest forward.”
Steury's history with the Yukon Quest goes back to its inception in 1983 when she became the first director for the organization. In 1987 she moved on to work with a sponsor of the race, remaining an avid fan and supporter of the Yukon Quest.
Most recently, Steury was a Manager with Festival Fairbanks and managed all activities including special events and ongoing projects. She was also formerly the Owner, President and CEO of The Great Alaskan Bowl Company where she won numerous awards including Small Businessperson of the Year for the State of Alaska in 1996.
“I am excited at the opportunity to work at seeing the Yukon Quest achieve its potential,” said Steury. “I have been involved with the race at various levels over the years and have always believed this race is a true celebration of the sport of sled dog racing and am honored to help it move forward.”
Steury will be in Fairbanks this Saturday for Opening Day of signups. Mushers can sign up in person on August 8th either at the log cabin in Fairbanks from 9 am – 1pm or at the White Pass Depot in Whitehorse from 10am – 2pm.
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2010 Seppala Heritage Grant Recipient Announced |
THE IDITAROD TRAIL COMMITTEE is proud to announce that the 2010 Seppala Heritage Grant recipient is William "Middy" Johnson of Unalakleet Alaska. The Forty-three year old Johnson has extensive experience both as an Iditarod volunteer and dog handler for his brother Paul, who participated in the 1986 Iditarod. He also sports a long family history of dog mushing. His grandfather, Henry Ivanoff, was a participant in the original Serum Run in 1925.
Johnson received $10,000 from the Seppala Heritage Grant Committee to help fund his efforts toward running the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The Grant Selection Committee consisted of Former Iditarod musher Dan Seavey from Seward Alaska, 1985 Iditarod Champion Libby Riddles from Fritz Creek Alaska, Longtime Iditarod musher Mike Williams form Akiak, and Laura Samuelson Director of Nome Alaska's Carrie McClain Memorial Museum.
The Seppala Heritage Grant is specifically designed to help fund the efforts of mushers who aspire to run the "Last Great Race to Nome" for the first time. Applicants have to demonstrate a commitment to work with, train and race sled dogs, and show value traits of generosity of spirit, courage, integrity and love for the dogs, land and people of Alaska.
The Seppala Heritage Grant was founded by the Seppala Family with the hope that other persons or organizations rise to the challenge and donate to this charitable grant with money or services, thereby increasing the outreach potential of this grant.
2004 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion, Mitch Seavey, met that challenge by donating $10,000 of his All-Alaska Sweepstakes winning purse in order keep this very important program alive.
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Yukon Quest Announces Minimum Purse of $150,000 |
| August 5, 2009 (Fairbanks, Alaska) |
The Board of Directors in both Alaska and the Yukon of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race are pleased to announce a minimum $150,000 USD purse for the 2010 race. “We are thrilled to be able to announce a guaranteed minimum purse at this early stage of the year,” said Al Doherty, Yukon Board President. “We are incredibly excited about our new sponsorship programs for 2010 and we have already seen enough positive reaction to our efforts that we are able to make this commitment.” Sponsor solicitation is well underway for 2010 and the current response has enabled the Boards to guarantee a purse at this level so early in the season. The Boards and staff continue their work to meet and exceed sponsorship and fundraising targets for 2010. The total purse for 2009 was $154,000 and despite the current economic downturn, sponsor confidence in the Yukon Quest has allowed the Boards to set a guaranteed purse comparable to last year’s final purse. The announcement comes just days before Opening Day of signups. Mushers can sign up in person on August 8th either at the log cabin in Fairbanks from 9 am – 1pm or at the White Pass Depot in Whitehorse from 10am – 2pm. There will be an incentive draw held on August 14th for all mushers officially entered on or before Opening Day with the winner receiving a prize of $1,000 USD. The Yukon Quest is pleased to offer the same low entry fee of $1500, which includes food drop, vet check, straw and methanol. The non-refundable portion of this entry fee has been set at $500 for 2010 in order to reduce the effect of late withdrawals on race revenues. “We’re looking forward to an excellent field of mushers in 2010,” said Tania Simpson, Executive Director in Alaska. “We believe we will prove yet again why the Yukon Quest is one of the world’s premier sled dog races.”
For more information or to book and interview please contact:
Dee Enright - Outside the Cube p) 867-456-7483 ext 224 c) 867-334-5203 dee@outsidethecube.ca
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Bootie Up for Life!
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With the purchase of a pink dog bootie from dogbooties.com, 5 cents will be donated to the American Cancer Society to benefit breast cancer. ACS has invested more in breast cancer research grants over time than any other voluntary public health organization - $352 million since 1972! And, it was the American Cancer Society that established mammography as the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer. Click Here for more information.
With the purchase of the purple dog bootie, 5 cents will be donated to the American Cancer Society's Bark For Life. This event honors our canine caregivers while raising money to "take a bite out of cancer". Thanks for giving the gift of life! Click Here for more information.
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BUSER FAMILY PART OF THE TORCHLIGHT PARADE AT SEAFAIR
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Martin and 8 dogs headed to Seattle this past weekend to be part of the SEAFAIR celebration's
TORCHLIGHT Parade, sponsored by Alaska Airlines
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