2011 RACE INFORMATION
The winner of the 10-dog Race is Joël Potié & Robert Ungerer won the 6-dog!
Bob Shanahan, 3rd; Joël Potié, winner;
Jim Oehlschlaeger, 2nd
Randy Sander, 2nd; Bryton Munro, 3rd; Robert Ungerer winner
TORCH RIVER RUN BLOG
Really bummed to hear that both Karen & Richard
scratched. It does take a while for dogs to get back the energies
expended in these races and I guess there just wasn't enough time
between the Challenge and the Torch Run. To those still in the hunt good
luck. Maybe next year we will see the North Wapiti teams back and
leading to the finish line.
Guess we will have to spend some time following that other race up north
there somewhere. How are the sprint races doing this weekend?
Thanks for your good work in difficult circumstances.
Ron
Husky Howllow
Home of the Singing Siberians
Hey Jill, I don't know if this stuff gets to you, but
I have a feeling the next time we get some info you are going to be in
3rd place! I don't know how you guys start these races and how you
finish, but it is pretty impressive to me. Above all, stay safe with you
and your team. In the long run nothing else really matters.....anyway,
we're pulling for you.
Connie and Michael
NEWS FROM THE TRAIL - March 5 - noon
Sorry for the delays on my reports, but I had computer problem. Finally got everything fixed.
All but 2 10-dog teams are on the way to the finish. They should be arriving at Tobin Lake soon. We have had 3 scratches - Stefaan DeMarie and Karen Ramstead in the 10-dog race and Richard Todd in the 6-dog.
Sorry to hear that Stefaan scratched but as always the
welfare of the dogs comes first. Almost like losing an old friend being
the 3rd race we have been following in the past short while that he was
running in.
Looks like Karen caught a bit of a lucky break but there is still a lot
of racing left. A stern chase is a long one as any sailor knows so just
maybe she will be able to hang on to her lead.
Now we are waiting breathlessly for updates into the next check point
and progress on the 6 dog class. Thanks again for making time to keep us
informed and don't forget to get a bit of rest yourself.
Go Teams Wapiti ... Siberians Rule!
Ron
Husky Howllow
Sarah de Brion to me 4:05 PM (19 hours ago)
Thank you for keeping us in the loop. Are you able to share the
placements at the moment? And the timings split?
We are in England supporting Jillian and her team, go Jillian, go. Zak
will lead you home, and we are willing you on.
We will keep watching
From the trail - 1:30 pm Friday Mar 4
The final team is in Piprell Lake for her 4 hour mandatory. Stefaan DeMarie scratched at Piprell Lake, His dogs had not completely recovered from the Challenge and having a young team it is best to scratch. Sorry to hear it Stefaan. The other 4 have left for Lower Fishing Lake. They could start arriving around 3:30 pm
I have 2 friends running in this race. I just wanted
to let you know I love your race map. It is clear and easy to read and
is the best I have seen for ANY race (including the Iditarod).
"You can never do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it
will be too late." R.W. Emerson
Sandy Stealey in Ohio sandrastealey@windstream.net
740-667-3545
CanineWorks Art, Rescue and Sanctuary with Belgians Con Brio
http://www.conbriocwr.com
March 4 - 9:05 am
Five teams are in to Piprell Lake. Karen got in at 6:05, but the rest rested on the trail and then took a wrong trail and were lost for some time. Jillian is coming, but she took the longest mistake.
March 3 - 9:40 PM
The front 5 teams have crossed this point, all still looking real good. Still waiting for Karen.
Re Message to webmaster about an interactive blog
Thanks Elaine. I know how busy you must be and appreciate you taking
the time to respond. Maybe next year ... the history of the race is
still being written and there are always new things on the horizon.
Going to be very interested in how Miss Ladybug does ... There is a
young lady with so much talent and dedication it's almost scary. She is
running in good company and I know will find a lot of encouragement and
mentoring from the other teams in the 6 dog.
Good Trails, Happy Dogs
Ron
Husky Howllow
March 3 - 8 PM
The team all had a good start. The report from the highway crossing had 1-Stefaan in lead at 7:12:10; 3-Jillian close behind at 7:12:30; 5-Jim O. next at 7:14; then 4-Bob at 7:15; 6-Joel followed at 7:20 and 2-Karen close behind at 7:26
All the teams were running well. The two front teams are beautiful to watch - one team has all 10 dogs trotting in step, the other has 9 trotting in tine and one out of step. The two Ohio teams are running very strong and at this time are gaining on the leaders. Finally the last two teams are looking good too. Joel is cruising with a nice smooth team and Karen is running beautifully, but about 1 mile per hour slower.
From the trail
Feb 10
It is hard to believe that in three weeks
from now the race will be in full swing The checkpoint volunteers are
all waiting for us. The reports from the snowmobile clubs say that the
trails are in good shape. There was a slow down in entries coming in. We
have just received three more entries and have had several enquiries
with several of the mushers that are running in the Canadian Challenge
that runs from the 22nd to the 25th of February are waiting before
committing to our race. After the enjoyable time that everybody had last
year we are getting a real influx of rookies , which is good. See you
all at the race
Stewart Elliott President Torch River Run
Dec 18
By now with all the snow we have been getting everyone should be using their sleds There are a lot of interesting happenings in the mushing world this winter There are new interested mushers buying dogs, sleds and equipment. There is also an older musher finally upgrading to a quad for training, and has purchased a new custom built sled.
Northern Saskatchewan can boast for having three long distance wilderness races in the area. The Neckbone in January is always an interesting race. The Canadian Challenge in February is truly a challenging race with several mushers from Churchill Manitoba entered this year.
The Torch River Run being the last race of the season will give the mushers a good enjoyable and relaxing race to wrap up the season. Some are even planning on using this race to train their puppy teams.
I am looking forward to meeting with all my former musher friends and to meet and welcome all newcomers
Until next time Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
From The Old Gray Fox
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