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March 2 to 3, 2012                   SLED DOG RACE

RACE RESULTS

PHOTOS

2010 RACE

2011 RACE

Linda, a vets assistant was born in Shellbrook lives on a  farm , married and has 3 adult children She loves the outdoors and dogs, Sled  dogs was always in the back of her mind.   She started running sled dogs 4 years ago when  she was given 3 Inuit dogs. She had no idea how addicting sled dogs running was. She was hooked and a year later she had 10 Alaskan huskies.   She gives sled dog tours which includes giving them their very own 4-dog team to drive . Last year and again this year her handler is Rigmor Clarke, a very energenic 77 year old.  As a rookie she ran the Torch River Run 6-Dog Race - finished 6th.  Her goal this year is to finish with all six dogs as healthy and happy as they started and maybe do better than last year.

Randy came to Christopher Lake for a dog sled ride and went home with a dog team.  To get a break from the office he loves running dog - no phones, no people, only quite, fresh air and the sledding experience.  Randy finished 2nd by a nose in the 6-dog race last year (Torch River Run)  He has participated in as many races as he can, its hard to get away with his heavy work load.  Randy' company is our main sponsor - Thanks a lot Randy Sander CGA Professional Corp.!  Randy finished 2nd last year

Originally from South Africa, Robert now lives in Unity with his wife.  He helps train Randy Sander's dogs. Robert loves animals and after getting a sled ride he asked to help. He has competed in many of the local races and won the 6-dog Torch River Run last year.

Anna a Canine Body Worker (massage for dogs) was born in Sweden.  She now lives here with her husband and 3 children.  Anna has competed in sprint races for 6 years and is now going to try mid-distance racing.  She loves caring and training their 65 sled dogs.  Her goal is to finish with happy, healthy dogs

"Issi" is taking Animal Science at the U of S.  6 years ago her and her brother talked their parents into getting some sled dogs.  She has been running sprints ever since.  This year she wanted to try mid-distance and entered the Torch River Run 6-dog race.  Issi thought it would be fun to compete with her mother.  She loves to be with her dogs and enjoys the outdoors. 

Debi is a rookie at this race but has been running dogs for 4 years.  She works dogs with her husband and partner, Luke.  She got started with dogs when she fell in love with Luke, who was already in love with running sled dogs.  Sh has been handling for Luke, but this year wanted to see the Esker Trail.  She hopes to finish the race, have fun and come back with 6 happy dogs.

Luke, a service manager has been running dogs for 10 years.  He finished the Challenge - 6-dog in 6th, The 8-dog in 1st, and the 12-dog in 6th.  Luke tied for 5th in the 2010 Torch River Run 6-Dog Race.  He loves the outdoors and the sled dogs, and is entering the race again this year to have fun and train puppies.  It will be good experience for them.  He is entered in the Challenge 6 dog race this year and will run some of the pups that finish that race and some of his veteran dog.

Dianne has been running dogs for about 13 years, but is fairly new to racing.  She started out with 3 dogs she bought from a neighbour. This was her team for three years and then she drove 4 border collies, added some Siberians; now has mostly Siberians.  Her most memorable dog was a leader, a border collie named Nick who is now retired from sledding, but still works cattle.  After handling for 2 years she wanted to see the trails for herself.  Dianne hopes to finish with all 6 dogs and for all to have fun doing it.

Earl is a school teacher who divides his time between Pinehouse where he teaches and Christopher Lake where he lives during school break.  He has had sled dogs since 1970.  Over the years he participated in numerous races and even won a few.  He runs the dogs as he likes to watch the sun go down and the moon come up.  Dog running helps you keep a balance in your life.  Earl want to finish this race along with getting to see this beautiful trail and visiting with the other  mushers.

Amanda’s first dog-sledding experience was last winter. She knew right away it was something she wanted to do more of. After helping Randy Sander feed and look after his sled dogs throughout the summer she was positive that she wanted to help train his dogs – for the love of the sport but mostly for her love of the dogs. Getting to spend the time out in the fresh air and the chance to be with her new four-legged best friends is a much needed break from her busy schedule. This will be Amanda’s first race and since the lack of snow this winter has prevented the use of a sleigh, it will definitely be a learning experience for her!

Gerry is a cowboy and a customer fencer. Gerry and Brenda have four grown daughters. Gerry enjoys horses, hunting, fishing, rodeo and grandchildren. Smokey Hill Kennels have been doing real well for the last few years..Gerry has run the Canadian Challenge 8 times and has finished first (3 times), second, fourth and fifth.; LaRonge Neckbone 120;
Fort St. James B.C. 150 mile stage race; and the Torch River Run 200

Dee will be running a team of her father's dogs.  She is a taxidermist, and is a fairly new mother.  She usually runs first or a close second to her father.  She helps her dad quite often and runs a second team if Gerry needs a second team run.  Dee has been known to show up at a race in a fur coat - a well dressed musher.

Stefaan is an irrigation tech during the summer. As well as their dog food and race supply company, Akela's Den ,Stefaan is also busy with family, enjoys carpentry and the woods. He is also always planning for the next mushing season.  Stefaan has run the Canadian Challenge nine times. He has placed 1st, 2nd (twice), 3rd , 4th (three times) and 5th. - Caladonia Classic - Percy de Wolf and many other small races.  Stefaan's wife Tanja and their two daughters enjoy the outdoors and looking after the dogs.