YUKON BREWING Copper Haul Twister League

YUKON BREWING - Hot Hounds Dryland, This Sunday!!

2011-09-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Yet again Yukon Brewing provide glass and aluminium wrapped T shirts as refreshingly tasty prizes for Sunday 11th's Dryland Races,

held at Cynthia Corriveau's place:

Coming from Whitehorse on the Alaska Hwy;

Turn left a few meters after the Klondike Hwy turn off at the balloons

Then Follow the directions that will be posted on signs to the parking lot.

at 6pm for registration.

Featuring 1 mile races for:

1 Pet Dog

1 Sled Dog

1 Canicross

and the "Mad Max" 2 miler for 2-4 dogs.

All on unpowered wheels (except canicross - unpowered feet), and the dogs must remain attached to you at all times (even when 4 off them have hauled you off your bike and you're bouncing off the trees down the trail - quick release? What's that?). Helmets mandatory, body armour can be quite useful.

Thanks again to YUKON BREWING, and also First Mate Dog Food, and not forgetting the most excellent gift cards for most excellent foods from YUKON MEAT & SAUSAGE, The Deli at the last race!

See you there!

STRAW $7/BALE

YUKON GRAIN FARM LOCALLY GROWN STRAW, $7 A BALE AT THE GRAIN FARM, Just off the Mayo Rd before Lake Labarge

Call 633 4092 to arrange pick up

Cadence Cycle Hot Hounds and First Mate Freight Pull !

2011-08-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

Whitehorse Star photographer Jon Russel captures Puck in mid-stride hauling 700lb to the finish line!

All the results are at DPSAY.wordpress.com, the link is to the right there - look right and scroll down a bit. Great turnout, good to see new faces and new dogs, and I learn it isn't necessarily a good idea to stroll past unknown dogs carrying a shovel (I was carrying the shovel, not the dog) - they can misinterpret my intention, which was to walk past! Still, no lasting damage.

Amil's rocket dog Grizzly vied with Heather's tall husky Cash in the lightweight freightpull, after a few episodes of "what's round the back of this trolley anyway?" Cash came through and made a perfect 3rd round pull to take lightweight champ and 3 bags of Firstmate Extreme dog food (good to his name - saved some "cash"). The mediumweights was a Snowpigs derby with up and coming 3.5 year old (going on 6 months) Puck at 98lb taking on oldster (old? OLD? I'm 8.5 years, I'm not old, and I can still throw that upstart on his back when he gets too pesky) Asha (89lb). Vying against each other with Asha's looks varying from bored, to "do I really have to do this?", to Puck's 10 second nonchalent sit at the start of the 700lb pull, then "oh, yes, you want me to pull this? well you should have said" and pull he did. Before we ran out of bags, Jon called it a day at 700lb each (some racers were muttering "get a move on, it'll be dark soon" from the bleachers anyway).

Then it was off to the races, ironically on one of the warmest evenings all summer. Sky High "Kennel Slave" Adam still hasn't got enough money to buy a shirt and ran topless, splashing sweat along the trail in the Canicross, whilst Grizzly's antics in the Freight Pull didn;t slow him down as he tore down the 1 mile to win with Amil Dupuis-Rossi, from almost-but-not-quite-pet dog Forrest and Deb Knight in second. The hairpin turn at the half mile caused some amusement (for Mike Simon on volunteer duty, at least).

Darryl Sheepway started to reprise last season's victories with a convincing win in the multiple dog 2 mile, with 2, 3, and 4 finishing within 5 seconds of each other, but at least 13 seconds adrift of Darryl. Jon, finishing 4th, and 2 seconds behind Alexandra Rocket claims it was due to him being on a scooter - well get on your bike then!

Then everyone retired to the BBQ, food, and wine tasting (yes it is true, DPSAY dog people are really quite refined), kindly hosted and run by Lee and Jim on their deck to share in the glory and prizes from CADENCE CYCLE, with supporting prizes from Muktuk Adventures, Aurora Booties, and Icy Waters Ltd.

And then it was all over...time to go home, and get training for the Aug 14th race at Alexandra Rochats, racing for Yukon Meat and Sausages unbeatable meat!

Many thanks to Lee and Jim for hosting, Darryl & Jon for organising, Mike and Jessica Simon (timing, coures volunteers) and the inimitable (you sure you know what that means?) Gene Ennis as Race Marshall - and you, for turning out with your dogs and making it happen,

Beautiful Day for Cadence Cycle Race and First Mate Freight Pull this evening

2011-07-31T10:56:00.000-07:00

and just a reminder - join DPSAY and race for just $10, and then just $5 for another race on the same day; or simply race as a non-member at $15 per race.

See you all there, bring good stuff for the Pot-luck BBQ!!

First Mate Extreme $39 / 40lb bag

2011-07-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

Sponsor of tomorrow's Freight Pull, First Mate, have made their Extreme 36% Protein/28% Fat diet available at $39/40lb bag delivered to Icy Waters Ltd. Jon is taking orders now for a mid-late Sept delivery - email grizzlysnowpigs@gmail.com for more details.

Or come on out to the Cadence Cycle Hot Hounds race on Sunday and win some at the Freightpull!

Cadence Cycle + First Mate Extreme Freight Pull are ON!

2011-07-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

5pm Sunday 31st July, at Lee Kirkpatrick and Jim Hajash's Drag n Fly kennel, km 3, Old Alaska Highway - we have our first Hot Hounds Dryland Races of the summer (really? summer's still here? thought we were in fall from the feel of it).

Startlingly magnificent prizes will be up for grabs, from Cadence Cycle on Wood Street (get all your cycle stuff there, they've supported Hot Hounds for all 5 seasons!) for places 1st-3rd in our 4 races:

1 mile 1 sled dog - using unpowered wheels (bike or scooter usually)

1 mile 1 pet dog - using unpowered wheels

2 mile 2-4 sled dog - (4 dogs are for the more adventurous among us - enjoy) - unpowered wheels again

1 mile 1 dog Canicross - using powered human legs ie running

And to begin, we'll have the First Mate Freightpull:

light 0-60lb, medium 61-100lb, and heavyweight 101lb + dogs compete in their category to pull the heaviest load 16' on a trolley generously donated for the occasion by Grizzly Pigs Farm. Last dog pulling is that categories' champion. Prizes are 3 bags of First Mate for 1st; 2 for 2nd, and 1 for 3rd.

And we'll finish up with a pot luck BBQ - so bring something to eat, drink and share, and enjoy the post race atmosphere, swop accounts of terrible passing, and show off assorted bruises and grazes (nah, only joking; no you're not, this is the bonebreaker trail; shhh, don't remind them). It 's all perfectly safe, with helmets mandatory, body armour recomended, and a detailed disclaimer you need to sign before you go anywhere near that gravelled trail.

Remember, DPSAY Hot Hounds.....where all the cool dogs go

Yes, this Blog is still alive!!!~and......FIRST MATE EXTREME comes through again!

2011-05-13T22:40:00.000-07:00

The July Hot Hounds event will again be held at Drag n Fly Kennel - home of the infamous "bone-breaker" gravelled trail, and the unforgettable "Are you arresting ME?" incident when a lone RCMP officer attempted to grab Ms S Rogan for daring to drink a can of Superstore's potent 0.5% "lager" at the roadside, and was then politely asked if he really was going to fit about 30 mushers, and their dogs in his cruiser...anyway to the important future event -

FIRST MATE EXTREME have AGAIN sponsored the Yukon's unique and one and only:

SUMMER FREIGHT PULL!!

18 bags of FM up for grabs across the 3 categories, get 'em out there training pulling tyres!!

Upstart Pretender Puck will be challenging Asha for the Mediumweight title...or will he....who else is out there?

Stay tuned as the July race gets set up...looking like Sunday 3rd or Sunday 24th with lotsa luverly Omega 3 and Vitamin D rich Arctic Charr from Icy Waters Ltd to race over (well win, it'll get a bit gravelly if we race over it...)

Could've got the sled back out up here yesterday.....

Uncommon Journeys Season Finale - Great Turnout

2011-04-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

On a surprisingly variably cool and warm day, 16 Twister teams, 2 slightly crazed Open Teams*, 3 Kid's Teams and 2 Pet Dog teams turned out for the season finale - one of the best turnouts this season.

(*because the trail was very hard and quite fast enough without hooking 9 or 16 dogs up to featherweight sleds - but hats off to those two, they did it, and fast!)

Results will be posted on the DPSAY site , click over on the right there, but this race sealed the League results:

Kid's League leader Seth Carey ran his race to complete 3 victories, gaining 30 points overall, the League Crown (ok, title) and $125 from Yukon Brewing: Well done Seth! See you next season!

Asha had competition from Tiramasu, and whilst canicrossing vs skijoring appeared a one sided race, it was interesting to see Jon slogging up the the hills, slowly catching Pippa, and then fascinating to see Pippa take off on the downhills! Still 2nd = 8 pts, and for a total of 36 pts Asha takes the Pet Dog League and $125 from Yukon Brewing for Jon.

The Twister! Aha, Stefan with a 6 point lead gallantly volunteered as Race Marshall, and Darryl came so close - finishing 3rd he equalled Stefan's 22 points (the first time we've had a tie for the Champ's position), however in the case of a tie the winner is the one with the fastest time, in any race over the season sooo:

1 - League Champ and holder of the famous Copper Trophy for year and $250 from Yukon Brewing - Stefan Wackerhagen!!! 22 points

2 - Darryl Sheepway, 22 points, $200

3 - Jon Lucas, 14 points, $150

4 - Fabian Shmitz, 12 points, $100

5 - Claudia Wickert, 8 points, $50

Many thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, and organisers that made this season possible! see you all in oh er 6 weeks for the Dryland season!!!! Time for wheels, running with dogs never ends!!

Lotteries Yukon comes through! Show me the Money!

2011-03-28T17:26:00.001-07:00

Funds from LOTTERIES YUKON for the RR100 costs!

Uncommon Journeys sponsors Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister League Season 5 Finale!

2011-03-28T13:15:00.001-07:00

At press time this correspondant was still a bit unsure of what trail we'll be using on Sunday April 3rd - but the RACE IS ON! Meet at Uncommon Journeys, just off the Old Alaska Highway at Scout Lake Rd at 10am with your dogs and gear, volunteers most welcome and you can sunbathe whilst watching the sweaty (rather than frosted) competitors slog by - gonna be a warm one!

Season Finale, Darryl Sheepway can take the League trophy and Yukon Brewing's lovely cash if he gets 1st or 2nd - no pressure Darryl, enjoy your race :)

Sleds 4-6 dogs, skis 2-4, plus the Kid's Race - that League is yours for the taking Seth Carey, get your Dad up and make him drive you there! and the Pet Dog Race - can Asha haul Jon Lucas and his ridiculously hot red bunny suit to enough points to take the Pet League laurels?

You know you want to be there, 10am, Uncommon Journeys, Sunday 3rd April

more and better details at the DPSAY site, just look to the right and click the link!

Muktuk Adventures Race Day: A Great Day out, and up, and down, and up again....

2011-03-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

Mike and Jessica Simon set up a real Twister at their estate today - 10 miles of twisting, climbing, falling (plenty of that) trail through the woodlands and along the power line (ed: there were two...really? I was too busy concentrating on staying upright). Excellently marked, it was a competition of both speed, and command leaders.

In the Kid's class lone Seth Carey took 2 dogs and a sled round a shorter section of hills, and in the Pet Class Asha took Jon for a walk (canicross) through the same.

All results in depth at www.DPSAY.wordpress.com - just click on the link at the right. But what do today's results mean for the lucrative League standings, and the future possessor of that very attractive Copper Trophy?

To qualify for the league, Twister racers must volunteer for a full Twister and compete in 3+ races, although points can only be counted from a maximum of 4 races; Pet Dog and Kid's racers must compete in 3+ races (counting points from a max of 4) and volunteer for the Twister (or get a parent to in the case of kids...only). Which means with one race left this season we have interesting situations:

So long as Seth makes sure his Dad brings him to the last race, he's won the Kid's League, he has 20 points and Dad Steve volunteered today - $125 just waiting for you to turn up, run, and claim it Seth!

Pet Dog - Asha is out in front with 28 points from 3 races and Jon's volunteered, Sandro has 14 points from 2 races so needs to volunteer and run next race; Cheryl Kawadja has 18 points from 2 races so again must volunteer and race at the last race meet. If Cheryl wins (quite likely on past form) and Asha doesn't place, then Cheryl get's the $125 & League Title. (Pet dog league 2nd is $100, 3rd $75)

The Twister! AHA! Claudia and Fabian sit with 8 points each, both have volunteered; Jon has 12 and volunteered; Darryl S has 16 and volunteered; Stephan W has 22 and NOT volunteered.....ahh a dilemma - if he races the last race he's out of the League, if he volunteers and Darryl gets 1st-3rd, Darryl wins. Theorectically Jon could get 10 points (ha ha!) but that's so theorectical we can forget it right now. So Stephan (how wettbewarbsfahig are you?) - $200 for second place in the League guaranteed if you volunteer, possibly $250 and the trophy if Darryl doesn't make the top 3; Darryl, go for it, 1,2,3 and you get $250 and the shiny copper trophy for a year! You're pretty certain to get $200 anyway, whatever happens....nice, it's all down to the last race. And thank you Yukon Brewing for another season and another load of cash -

Yukon Brewing, sponsored over $8000 in cash on the CHT since 2006

Go buy their most very excellent beer so they can keep sponsoring us!

Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister: March 13th

2011-03-08T15:56:00.001-08:00

For all details, see the DPSAY blogsite!

Next Twister Race Day - Sun March 13th

2011-03-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

At........Jessica & Mike Simon's, km 5 Mayo Rd.

New venue, new trail!!...keep tuned for race confirmation details and number of dogs.

Brave Decisions at the DPSAY River Runner 100 startline

2011-02-26T19:19:00.000-08:00

At 4.45pm this evening it was around -22'C at the DPSAY RR100 dog yard....with a 40-60km/h north wind picking up the snow and hurling it south with a windchill below -32. Set to become 60km/hr sustained from the north later in the day, the wind was blowing in the trail with that gritty, sandy snow. The first 10 miles of the race were up the Yukon, north into the teeth of the wind, then 17 miles of crosswinds on the Takhini River until the relative safety of the Dawson overland trail before climbing up some exposed hillside trails...all marked, but probably blown in.

I'd signed up for this because I wanted a fun race after the Q300. It didn't look like it was going to be a lot of fun.

A lot of entrants took the brave decision to carry on and race it, and kudos to them, they're going to have a real experience under their belt when they get to Mendenhall. But I also think those that decided to withdraw at the startline also made a brave decision, it certainly was hard for me.

3/4 Skijorers led out, 11/18 sleds followed. Please follow their progress on the DPSAY blogsite, good luck to them all!

Cheers

Jon

DPSAY River Runner 100 - Sign up by Saturday or pay a late fee!

2011-02-16T22:22:00.000-08:00

With 11 Sleds and 4 skis already signed up, it looks like there's going to be a good race over Rendezvous Weekend. There's 15 places left and it'll cost an extra $50 to sign up after Saturday - if you want to be part of this historic event (c'mon, even if you're on a sled you can still say you were part of the longest skijor race in...North America? the World?) sign up this week!

Click on the DPSAY link just to the right for all the info and entry form.

Icy Waters Ltd Race Day, Icy breeze!

2011-02-13T14:57:00.001-08:00

A cold morning got a little cooler with a chilly north breeze adding wind chill to a thermometer stuck around -23'C. The two dedicated sprint kennels put out 2 teams each, with Drag n Fly taking 1st + 3rd, and Dead Broke 2nd + 4th - full results should be up on the DPSAY site shortly.

Genna rode a superbly decorated sled with 3 dogs in the kids race, with a great time of about 12 minutes, and won for Persistance Kennel the 10 blocks of dog food prize from Icy Waters Ltd for best decorated sled/skijorer - well done!

3 Pet dog skijorers turned out to brave the chill and had a fun time also.

Thanks to Icy Waters Ltd for the cash; Yukon Brewing, Yukon Honda, Yukon Grain Farm, Aurora Booties, and Muktuk Adventures for the merchandise prizes.

The word on the QT is the next race may be at a different venue - which should spice the race up a bit, hopefully it won't be up and down a road like the Copper Haul - which is nice and pretty safe but lacks a certain soupcon of excitement. Thanks to Icy Waters Ltd for hosting!

Icy Waters Ltd Race Day - Trail "sticky"

2011-02-12T18:20:00.000-08:00

Trail run today by Jon, apparently the new fresh snow + the cm or so that fell today makes the trail feel a little sticky, so perhaps not so slick as expected. -18'C at 6.25pm and overcast with the odd snowflake falling - and the question on everyone's lips is "are the organisers going to pack the trail?"

Icy Waters Ltd Race Day - Trail update

2011-02-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

1" fresh snow fell last night, -16" and cloudy Saturday am

Icy Waters Ltd Race Day - Looking Good

2011-02-11T20:56:00.000-08:00

With the trail settling and hardening with the mild weather, and then -12 predicted on Saturday we should have a hard and fast trail for Sunday's Valentine's Day Race - don't forget, best decorated sled/musher or skijorer wins 10 x Dog Food blocks from Icy Waters Ltd. And of course not forgetting the Twister winner gets presented with the carved antler trophy (from Earl, many thanks) and DPSAY pays to have your name emplaced on the back - and we should get Tony Radford's name on there from last year!

Will we see Tony "Bandit" Radford go up against Dave "Tagish Tornado" Johnson again, although rumour has it Dave may be bringing more than one team for a pirate jockey. The rather scarily fast (and even more scarily competive - Stephan "Ja! I MUST Win" Wackemalloutofsight) skijor contingent will also be speeding on the predicted glassy surface - Darryl Sheepwins: wax your skis for once goodness' sakes, it makes those few seconds difference.

The League is wide open, after 3 races the accumulated points are as follows - long distance trot-along with a sled (!?) Snowpigs have 6, Cynthia Wickert 12, Pierre Duc 8, Claudia Corriveau 4, Fabian (F*** this long distance s***) Schmitz 2, Crispin Studer 10, Alex Rocket 8, Stephan (to win is to succeed) Wackerhagen 12, Darryl Sheepnotquitewinningasmuchasinsummerway 8, Gaetan (out through the "in" trail Stepping Stone) Pierrard 2, Dave "Tagish Tornado" Johnson 10, Tony "Bandit" Radford 8, and as far as we can note, only Jon Lucas of not-exactly-skijoring Snowpigs and Fabian (FTLDS) Schmitz have fulfilled their League volunteer requirement (and I'm sure to be deluged with emails if that is not correct - and oh come on, those names are only jokes...unless....).

So, 10am, Sunday 13th - Valentine's Day special, Cash from Icy Waters Ltd, Dog Food from First Mate (which powered Fabian's, and Jon's, team through the YQ300 - Jon never realised there were so many voices in his head till he was camped out at -32, in the dark, alone on Coglan Lake....and he doesn't particularly want to hear from most of them again...ever); Delicious Arctic Charr for man, woman, and dog from Icy Waters Ltd. Most refreshing T shirts from Yukon Brewing, if you're lucky a delightful Yukon Ag Assoc T shirt (don't all rush now, we know how popular the last ones were), great wearing booties from Aurora Booties, Certificates from Yukon Honda, and Straw from Yukon Grain Farm.

See you all out there!

ICY WATERS Ltd Sponsors DPSAY River Runner 130

2011-01-31T13:55:00.000-08:00

Come and race and get the money - 22 spots left! 3 sled teams already signed up

Call for Support

2011-01-24T19:30:00.000-08:00

Finally a politician with dog sense!
Twister and Hot Hound fans know MIKE SIMON as a volunteer on countless races. He's running for nomination to be the Liberal candidate in Lake Laberge riding.
The nomination meeting is at the Hootalinqua firehall
(Mile 4 Mayo Road, right hand side after Takhini Gas)
at 7 p.m. on this THURSDAY, JANUARY 24.

Please come out to show your support, even if you don't live in the riding. You don't need to be a party member and this is a chance to ask a future member of the territorial legislature about those pressing issues such as:

Can you make the City relax their 3-dog limit?
What's your position on animal protection?
Can we get the Dog Sled Track lease back?
or, anything else that's got a burr in your fur.

Hope to see you at 7 this Thursday at Hootalinqua. Regardless we'll be out on the trail again this Sunday!

posted with permission by yukonwriter@lycos.com

Duffy's Pets race POSTPONED!

2011-01-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

It doesn't often happen, but it really is predicted to be just too cold this Sunday. Blame the La Nina effect.

Very sensibly the Duffy's Pets and Tanzilla Harness Supply Race Day has been POSTPONED to

SUNDAY JANUARY 30th

and becomes a most excellent warm up for that slightly less important YQ300!

See you all on the 30th! Keep warm.

Duffy's Pets & Tanzilla Harness Supply Race Day - Race ON!!

2011-01-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

Inspiring new poster design courtesy of "LONE TRAILS PHOTOGRAPHY", Stefan Wackerhagen and printing by long-term sponsor INKSPIRATIONZ GRAPHIX.

Thanks to Claudia Wickert and Fabian Schmitz for organising this one, so if you have any complaints you know were to take them... and receive the time-honored CHT response "if you don't like it, race somewhere else!"

So, to the info and goodies - Duffy's Pets and Tanzilla Harness Supply have put up the $$ purse, and most valuable merchandise prizes have been kindly donated by Icy Waters Ltd, First Mate Dog Food, Aurora Booties, Muktuk Adventures, Yukon Brewing T-shirts finely wrapped in glass and aluminium, C&D Feeds (we know some of you have a cat, cos the prize is cat food), Yukon Honda, and Yukon Grain Farm (with their $7/bale straw - where could you buy cheaper? or better? or hasn't burnt I don't know how much fossil fuel and pumped out climate changing CO2 getting up here?).

Meet 10am Icy Waters Ltd, km 4.2 Fish Lake Rd, Sunday Jan 16th - 10.5 mile Twister sleds 2-6 dogs, skis 2-4; 5km 1 Pet dog running erm oh yes, 1 Pet dog (and if it's cold Jon might just Canicross the whole thing with Asha enjoying trotting behind!); 5km Kids, 1-4 sleds, 1-2 skis.

Volunteers required and made very welcome (Arctic Charr as a thank-you, plus a prize draw! we like our volunteers!), please let Fab + Claude know at 335 2920 if you want a fun day out, and some delicious Arctic Charr!

Enjoy!

Oscar's Electric RESULTS!

2010-12-20T19:16:00.000-08:00

A chilly -33'C (and some sun, but that didn't appear to warm anything: Snowpig's dog truck still died in the dog lot - but then that's the point of these local races - find out what's going wrong near to home, rather than a Sunday afternoon in Tok, for example) greeted the hardy mushers on Sunday. The snow packed trail was a little sticky. almost gritty at times with the temp but the times were great:

10.5 Mile Twister

(all 5 dog sleds unless otherwise stated)

1...Crispen Studer...44.47

2...Alexandra Rocket...49.20

3...Stephan Wackerhagen...49.22 (2 dog skis)

4...Darrell Sheepway...49.24 (3 dogs skis)

5...Gaetan Pierrard...49.30 (3 dog skis)

6...Dave Mason...49.50

7...Kyla Johnson...51.42

8...Jon Lucas...60.12

9...Eilidh Lucas...60.36 (4 dog sled)

5km Pet Dog

1...Mark Manolis and a pet Husky...24.22

2...Asha and Jon Lucas...25.03

Thanks to everyone for turning out including of course the volunteers who had to stand around in the cold, pointing everyone in the right direction and OSCAR'S ELECTRIC for the $$$, and First Mate Dogfood, Yukon Grain Farm ($7 a bale straw), Yukon Honda, C&D Feeds, Muktuk Adventures, Aurora Booties and of course host Icy Waters Ltd.

That wraps up Jon's organising of 4 seasons of Hot Hounds and 4.4 seasons for the CHT - thanks everyone, in the words of Vinnie Jones "It's been emotional" (first to tell me the movie that comes from, I'll buy a beer: Yukon Brewing of course, unless somehow that violates some Lotteries/Liquor Bd regulation).

Next Race, Next Year - January 16th: Duffy's Pets and Tanzilla Harness Supply Race Day, kindly organised by Claudia Wickert & Fabian Schmit, live at Icy Waters Ltd.

Anyone care to step up and organise the February Race? Everything is in place except an organiser, and Jon's written out the "how to do it" checklist.

Keep watching the blog (I'm not giving that up!), Cheers, Merry Christmas and Happy Training!

Oscar's Electric Race Trail - Hard n fast

2010-12-17T21:29:00.000-08:00

Jon ran 9 dogs down the CHT Friday night and collected a nice line in yellow fleece booties courtesy of the last musher - anyway, he didn't crash, the snow is very deep and easy to set a firm hook.

Trail to be skidoo run and smoothed with a pallet alter today

All good for tomorrow Sunday 19th, 10am Icy Waters Ltd, km 4.2 Fish Lake Rd.

Oscar's Electric looking good - loads of snow!

2010-12-15T13:33:00.000-08:00

Oscar's Electric Race Day Sun Dec 19th!

2010-12-12T20:34:00.000-08:00

Registration 10am, then SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING (see details posted by DPSAY Board on DPSAY Blogsite), then Musher's Meeting and Bib Draw

10.5 mile Twister: Sleds 3-5 dogs, Skis 2-3 dogs

5km 1 Pet dog Race

5km Kids Race, sleds 2-4 dogs, skijor 1-2 dogs

Most Excellent prizes from OSCAR'S ELECTRIC, Aurora Booties, Icy Waters Ltd, First Mate Dog Food, Yukon Honda, Yukon Grain Farm, C&D Feeds, Yukon Brewing

So turn up and race for those great prizes, and attend the meeting, it's rather important for the future of DPSAY's races.

More photos - rewind to our First Twister this season

2010-12-09T23:29:00.000-08:00

Photos thanks to snowboarding fanatic Stanislas Freiheit:

Marine Gastard of Sky High

Multiple Passing - the Twister has all your training needs! See Pierre Duc pegging like mad to get away from Claudia Wickert as Alex Rochat's team politely waits before taking the gee up the hill

Alexandra Rochat

Jon Lucas, cross-dressing from sled to skis

Fabian Schmitz

Pierre Duc, smiling into second place

and a blast from the past of the archives: Eilidh Lucas with charging Rottweillor Asha, rumour is they'll both be competing in the Twister on the 19th!

Photos from the Shoulder of Mt Mac - Nicolas Dory

2010-12-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

Just as the mushers reach the summit of the last climb, Nicolas was there to snap those happy expressions....

Harvey Van Patten, Raven in lead, is looking for the beer

Claudia Wickert - "Thank ****, the top"

Fabian Schmit...nearly there

C'mon Darryl, a few more pushes....

A scenic view, with Kyla Johnson in the foreground

Pierre Duc, not yet knowing he holds the 2nd prize hand

The 4 "didn'ts" of Ed Hopkins today:

"I didn't get lost; I didn't crash the sled; I didn't lose the team; and...I didn't win"

(But I'm sure it was a great training experience for the dogs - although Ed didn't actually say that one)

Almost a smile there, under all the masking, from Ian Stewart

Results!!!!!

2010-12-05T18:06:00.000-08:00

First Mate Extreme Freight Pull

(position...Dog...Owner..weight pulled)

Lightweights

1...KARA...Yvonne Bohlig...280lb

2...IBEX...Gaetan Pierrard...120lb

Mediums

1...ASHA...Jon Lucas...320lb

Heavies

1...PUCK...Laura J.Lucas...200lb

All entrants won 160lb First Mate Extreme dog food, retail value approx $200

Reach For the Sky and Take the Beer poker run

Kindly sponsored by:

AIR NORTH

YUKON BREWING

BUY THEIR STUFF!

DPSAY HOT HOUNDS

RACE IN SUMMER AND JOIN THE DPSAY BOARD!

TIMES

1...Crispin Studer...8 Dogs...2.11.20

2...Ed Hopkins...12...2.14.35

3...Maren Bradley...8...2.22.15

4...Pierre Duc...8...2.28.15

5...Marine Gastard...8...2.30.00

6...Marcelle Fressinau...8...2.32.15

7...Deb Knight...8...2.33.00

8...Michelle Phillips...8...2.33.45

9...Kyla Johnson...8...2.34.20

10...Darryl Sheepway...8...2.39.40

11...Genessee Keevil...8...2.42.50

12...Alexandra Rochat...6...2.43.50

13...Fabian Schmidt...6...2.48.55

14...Ian Stewart...6...2.58.35

15...Claudia Wickert...6...3.08.20

16...Harvey Van Patten...6...3.22.58

Of course times are really not important, who won the money?

1 - $450 Cash + $100 AN Cert Marcelle Fressinau 4 x 10 + 1 Ace

2 - $250 Cash + $100 AN Cert Pierre Duc 2 x Q + 2 x J

3 - $150 Cash + $200 AN Cert Crispin Studer 2 Q + 2 x 8

Thanks to everyone for an enjoyable day out, and to Gaetan Pierrard RM, Colin Morrison ARM/Timer + Chilli Chef; Mark Manolis + Brian MacDonald at Jackson Lake; Ingabritt Scholven + Steve Reid at Sunshine Valley; Jocelyn LeBlanc at Sky High; Guillome Gravel on Fish Lake; and Jessica and Mike Simon up on Mt Mac!

See you all at the next Twister on Dec 19th!

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer - Run ON, 1st Mate Freight Pull - ON

2010-12-04T18:03:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately Guillome blew his snowmachine's clutch (breaking another trail) on Thursday so Jon ran his trail machine up to Sky High this morning and marked the trail with new orange tape, although the faded hot pink from last year is still pointing the way. The creek crossing 15 mins from the start still has a steep downhill into it, and it was just starting to overflow slightly at 12.30 this aftenoon. We do not go through the KDFN Healing Village but turn off through the sand pits just before, and arrive at the same place on Jackson Lake rd, ready to take a card and venture onto the shallow and patchy overflow (at noon) of Jackson and Louise Lakes. Sky High are marking the trail on to the base of Mt Mac. From there it is just up through an undoubtedly drifted-in trail given the winds up there today, and then you meet Jessica and Mike Simon for another card and a refreshing beveredge from Yukon Brewing. It's all downhill from there!

Meet 10am Icy Waters Ltd for registration+mushers meeting, expected race start time 11am.

Purse - $1250 cash n certificates - courtesy of Air North, Yukon Brewing, and all you summer Hot Hounds racers.

First Mate Freight Pull - Meet at Noon at Icy Waters Ltd, $10 entry fee (mis-type on poster).

See you all there!

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer Poker Run + First Mate Freight Pull 2010

2010-12-02T22:15:00.001-08:00

Both held on Sunday 5th Dec at Icy Waters Ltd -

First Mate Freight Pull - 720lbs FM Extreme Dog food up for grabs, $10 entry fee: Lightweights 0-60lb; Mediums 61-99; Heavies 100lb+.

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer MEET AT 10am: 4-12 dogs, complete the course (22 miles, 2000 ft climb in the first 14 miles, then 2000 back down in the middle 4 miles, then 4 miles of flat) in under 4 hours, and collect 6 cards along the route, make the best 5 card poker hand. Purse - $550 from DPSAY Hot Hounds; $300 from Yukon Brewing; 4 x $100 flight certificates from Air North. .Free Entry

RM - Gaetan Pierrard, ARM/Timer Colin Morrison

Trail packed by Darryl S on Tuesday who carved through the overflow on Jackson lake, temps up there tonight at -35'C which should set it up nicely. Guillome Gravel is taking his Skandic over the course and flagging it Saturday.

Lots of Snow

2010-12-01T07:27:00.000-08:00

Darryl Sheepway spent most of Tuesday punching through all the new snow to make a trail for Sunday, thanks Darryl! Although too much snow for grooming, the trail is now defined.

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer Poker Run + First Mate Freight Pull 2010 Races ON

2010-11-27T22:13:00.000-08:00

Air North + Yukon Brewing + Hot Hounds $1250 combined purse confirmed. Best three hands take the money; no entry fee. YECL kindly cut the water to the creek across the trail by the "F***" Cabin (you'll see it, it's 3' high lettering) above Icy Waters Ltd so the creek crossing is flat strong ice. Sky High will be running the loop this coming week.

Card pick-ups at the start, Jackson Lake (Brian McDougall), Sunshine Valley (Ingabritt Scholven + Steve Reid), Sky High (Jocelyn LeBlanc), Mt Mac shoulder (Mike + Jessica Simon), and finish (Gaetan Pierrard, RM - no arguing), make your best 5 card hand.

Meet 10am Icy Waters Ltd, km 4.2 Fish Lake Rd, 4-6 dog teams start 11am, 7-12 dog teams 11.30 am ish

15 mushers signed up already, 15 places left

First Mate Extreme Freight Pull - meet IWL at 12 noon, $10 entry fee.

Lightweights 0-59lb

Mediums 60-99lb

Heavies 100lb+

Pull ever increasing loads 16' in under 60 seconds; must pull initial empty sled (120lb) then may skip up to 2 rounds.

1st - 3 bags dog food (120lb) First Mate Extreme

2nd - 2 bags

3rd 1 bag (40lb)

See you all there!

Alpine Vet Race Day - loads of snow, fast times!

2010-11-21T14:51:00.000-08:00

Although both Jon and the KSA packed the trail on Saturday night, another 3" had fallen by morning and it kept snowing all day. A very good natured and fun loving group turned out to race the straightforward route, with few turns and little head on passing the races went off smoothly. Thanks to all the skidoos out there who were very courteous and slowed, pulling to the side of the trail whenever they met a team.

Cynthia Corriveau was triumphant in the somewhat straightened "Twister", the 2 dog skijorer "only started training 6 days ago"; "Oh dear, that's not good" thought Jon. "Why did I bother starting in August?" Persistance Kennel's 4 dog sled charged to second, pushing skijoring Snowpigs to third.

The Pet Dog was a 2 way fight between Jon n Asha the (fat) Rottie and Sandro Bumblebee and his dog with lots of teeth. The lead see-sawed through the surprisingly long 5km as both dogs took time out to roll around in the snow, pee, and generally enjoy themselves without actually pulling very much at all (which is what the pet dog race is all about). Sandro made a bid for the lead at the base of final hill, which Jon just managed to foil by stripping off his skis and canicrossing the last 80m of uphill.

Due to the low turnout the prizes were doubled up with the entrants winning Alpine Vet's Cash, Aurora's Booties, First Mate's Dog Food, Yukon Brewing's Beer and Yukon Honda's Certificates - a most satisfactory conclusion all round.

Results

10.5 mile Twister

Position/Bib/Name/vehicle/time

1...5...Cynthia Corriveau...2 dog skis...51.28

2...4...Pierre Duc...4 dog sled...53.17

3...3...Jon Lucas...3 dog skis...54.05

4...1...Claudia Wickert...4 dog sled...59.55

5...6...Fabian Shmidt...4 dog sled...1.04.10

6...10...Marine Gastard...4 dog sled...1.08.38

7...7...Alexandra Rochat...4 dog sled...1.10.44

5km Pet Dog

1...Asha, Jon Lucas, skis, 24.34

2...Toothy, Sandro Bumblebee, skis, 25.20

Many thanks to RM Gene Ennis and the volunteers who make it possible to race. Thanks also to Mike and Jessica Simon who have been great supporters of these races, and were sadly unable to make it today, we look forward to seeing you next time.

Next race Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer "Poker" Run, 4-12 dog sleds, 2-3 dog skijor, Sun Dec 5th, 10am IWL + First Mate Freight Pull 12 noon IWL - keep watching for updates.

18 places left in Poker Run, 12 signed up already.

Race Trail packed, smooth n white

2010-11-20T19:10:00.001-08:00

After another 3" snowfall today, the trail was packed this evening, looks good for Sunday, and fine for skijoring.

Two notes - the City's concrete blocks are clearly movable, as two of them have moved from the gates 30m + 50m down the trail and two sets of truck gouge tracks bypassed the gates.

and mushers with quads - c'mon guys and gals, there's over 6" snow on the trail, why are you gouging it up with your quads? You're causing as much damage as the trucks. It's pretty ironic (not to say sad) to campaign for two years to get gates put in, to protect the trail and then have mushers chew it up with their quads. Yeah, they were mushers cos there were lots of little dog prints between the quad tyre gouges...you're busted.

Alpine Vet Race Day - Race ON

2010-11-20T10:53:00.000-08:00

More light snow falling, and a final trail pack tonight means we're set for a great day tomorrow.

Meet at Icy Waters Ltd, km 4.2 Fish Lake Rd at 10am to register:

5km 1 pet dog

5km Kid's race 2-4 dog sled, 1-3 dog skijor

17km Twister, sleds 2-4 dogs, Skijor 1-3

End of 2010 Race updates

2010-11-18T20:35:00.001-08:00

Asha - "awww do I have to do Freight Pull again, I wanna Reach for the Sky and try on a Yukon Brewing T-shirt, c'm'ooon"

Alpine Vet Race Day - race on - Jon packed the trail this evening and more snow is falling. The drag moved most of the skijor-damaging cobbles out of the way at the affectionally known "Abyss" section (don't worry, you don't go into it...unless you really want to...and you are mad) and he'll be running 9 dogs along it tomorrow. You'll see how successful that was on Sunday by counting the bruises. We welcome Gene Ennis back as Race Marshall, so don't even think of arguing. We are still under the DPSAY banner (just) so you do have to join DPSAY if you are not a member - a snip at a mere $15 membership fee. Cash from Alpine Vet for positions 1-5 in the Twister, Pet Dog, and Kid's Races - but never fear, most of the merchandise prizes for all the other positions are worth more than your entry fee and you get a block of Icy Waters Arctic Charr Heads and Racks dog food for finishing! Thanks in advance to Mike & Jessica Simon for being trail volunteers!

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer Poker Run - Matthieu Renner is the first Mt Mac loop trail blazer tomorrow, followed by Jon on Tuesday - therefore race is ON, Dec 5th - FREE ENTRY (cos DPSAY didn't get their act together to get a Gambling Licence), 30 places, Gennesseee Keeevill just beat Harvey Van Patten to sign up first, followed by Peter Fleck (Hugh Neff dogs) and Ray Zaidan (running Snowpigs), so 26 places left - apply via the comments section! - Air North $400 Flight Certs; Yukon Brewing $300 cash; Hot Hounds $550 cash up for grabs to be split amongst the 3 best poker hands! 4-12 dog teams.

First Mate Freight Pull - Dec 5th - bring your Lightweights, Mediums (Asha will be there), and Monsters (hi Puck!) (Heavyweights) to win First Mate Dog Food, whilst the mushers are climbing 2,000 feet up Mt Mac to try on a T-shirt at the top!

OSCAR'S ELECTRIC RACE DAY - 19th Dec, 2nd CH Twister of the season Sleds 2-5, skis 2-3 dogs, with guest jockey Engineer (apprentice) Eilidh Lucas running the Snowpigs sled!

SNOW! 5" fall on Copper Haul today

2010-11-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

Race trail looking good for Sunday - definitely good for sleds (6 dog sled team ran it this afternoon), still one small rocky section for skijorers - but you can take off your skis and canicross that 50m! Keep checking for trail updates.

Anyone want to bring a snowmachine out and pack it? Or shall we race "au naturale'?

Aurora Booties - Can You Help?

2010-11-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

Cindy Carey of Aurora Booties has solidly supported with a significant amount of merchandise prizes the CHT since its start four seasons ago, and also four seasons of summer Hot Hounds racing.

Last year, Cindy was the victim of a horrific road accident and was unable to work, ie make booties, collars, dog jackets, fur and leather work - and now the insurance company is playing the tune of "well, how do you know you lost any earnings, who was going to buy your stuff last year, and how much were they going to buy?"

So, if you placed, or were even planning to place, an order with Cindy last year, please email her at aurorabooties@northwestel.net reminding her what you were going to order - it's the least we can do for such a staunch supporter!

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer Poker Run + First Mate Freight Pull 2010

2010-11-13T08:40:00.001-08:00

Josh Clark of Air North confirms $400 of Gift Certificates! + Yukon Brewing Confirms $300 cash - just waiting for DPSAY confirmation of cash from Hot Hounds races to finalise purse.

Race Date either Dec 5th or 19th, tbc depending on snow conditions

First Mate Extreme Dog Food have supplied 720lb for the Freight Pull Purse, held on the same day as the Poker Run.

CHT Trail Report

2010-11-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

Nov 11th - another inch fell today and the 10.5 mile race loop looks better. Snowpigs' 2 x 5 dog teams ventured onto the 18.5 mile loop to Sima and found it passable, with slight roughness right at the end, and although worn, armour was not required. Jon was reminded that unlike in skijoring, where your team remains attached to you at all times, this is not the case in sledding. Consequently messing around behind the sled during a break is not recommended as when the hook is popped you have further to run to catch up - Jon can sprint when he has to...apparently.

Oh yes, black saloon EXE 73, please don't drive on the Trans Canada Trail and park on the Mt Mac Rd -it's against City By-Law and damages the trail, and to the owners of the light turquoise SUV that nearly ran the leaders down on the Mt Mac rd - get out and walk, it's non-motorised at this time of year.

Merry training

Copper Haul Trail report

2010-11-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

Snowpigs sent two 5 dog sled teams from Icy Waters Ltd to the Mt Mac Road and back, 11 miles (so 10.5 from the start line) - Snow not deep but fine for a small team and sled, you can even get the hook in. Not yet passable for skijorers (even Jon won't try it), as three short stretches do have some rock/iced gravel showing, and needs another couple of inches of snow.

The new gates on the trail at the start line should prevent too much motorised trail vandalism this year, and they pose little problem if you are starting in the parking area there, however if approaching from the other side of Fish Lake rd and going towards Mt Sima exercise extreme caution on the approach, there is a way round on the right but it is flanked by hard concrete blocks and the camber for easy balancing is all wrong.

Merry training!

CHT Org

CHT Race Events (provisional) till Jan 1 2011

2010-11-06T16:05:00.000-07:00

Asha says "It's time to rock n roll!"

(photo, Laura Jane Lucas)

Mark your calendars for:

Sunday Nov 21st, 10am mushers meeting - Alpine Vet Copper Haul Twister

10.5 mile, 2-4 dog sled/2-3 dog skijor; 5km Kids Race 2-4 dog sled/2 dog skijor; 5km 1 Pet Dog race

Sunday Dec 5th, 10am mushers meeting, Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer Poker Run

From Icy Waters Ltd, 22 miles up n over Mt Mac (2000 ft climb - enjoy) and back to Icy Waters Ltd, 4-12 dogs, 4 hour time limit

Sunday Dec 5th, 11.30am - FIRST MATE FREIGHT PULL, Icy Waters Ltd

Sunday Dec 19th, 10am mushers meeting - Oscar's Electric Copper Haul Twister

10.5 mile, 2-5 dog sled/2-3 dog skijor; 5km Kids Race 2-4 dog sled/2 dog skijor; 5km 1 Pet Dog race

All events meet at Icy Waters Ltd/Eagles Eye Estates, km 4.2 Fish Lake rd, Whitehorse

CHT Org

Teamwork.....

2010-10-31T19:32:00.000-07:00

With teamwork we can make it to the top

Without it there won't be many DPSAY races this season, Board Members and organisers needed, please contact Darryl at griz311@yahoo.com if you can help out.

$7 straw - Yukon Grain Farm

2010-10-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

CHT merchandise sponsor Yukon Grain Farm has given us 12 bales of straw, for 2 prizes per race for the upcoming season - thank you! - but if you can't wait to win it, they have more, at the startlingly reasonable price of just SEVEN bucks a bale. Additionally Grain Farm owner Steve is around after hours, so you don't have to be there in shop hours - just call 633 4092 to book a pick up time.

Whilst you're there buy some Yukon grown potatoes and carrots - supporting our local sponsors is a tasty business!

Yukon Grain Farm, 633 4092

STRAW $7/bale

The CHT Org

Mark Manolis - In the ZONE

2010-10-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

Sleep-racing Master - Mark Manolis, captured live by Jonathan Russell of the Whitehorse Star, as he navigates the trail through deep-thought meditation techniques and Decaf provides ocular senses - or is Mark really telepathically connected to Decaf? (is that allowed? check the rules-ed.) Throughout this Hot Hounds season, "Sleep-Master" Mark has been photographed sleep racing in every event, even whilst bikejouring!

Yukon Brewing Dryland - small turnout, lotsa fun, everybody wins!

2010-10-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

Eleven teams competed across the 4 categories in a light hearted and fun end to DPSAY's 2010 Summer Hot Hounds Series. This meant there was enough packs of T shirts for every entrant, and one for long suffering Summer Race Marshall Simi Morisson, who said "Thanks, but I don't wear Beer T-shirts, my husband Colin will be happy though!"

Highlights included 9lb Lola taking on 94lb Asha in the Pet Dog; Stefan W's chain not breaking; Jon's rear derailleur locking up on a steep uphill; and Darryl only winning twice and thus ending the season with only 10/11 firsts..."I'm a bit disappointed" Darryl mentioned later.

Trail marking was excellent (Darryl + Mike) and hostmanship from Jessica and Mike Simon most excellent, thank you, and thanks to the 6 trail volunteers who made sure we took the right turns and indicted we should really think about slowing down for the next section.

In the 1-3 dog 2.5 miler, Darryl ran 3 dogs and stayed upright throughout, which required considerable skill when winding downhill through the trees in the slush; Stefan and Jon ran one dog each, rationalising neither really wanted to start the snow season wrapped round/impaled upon a tree - there's plenty of opportunity to do that properly on skis later.

And so to the results:

1 Mile 1 Pet Dog

1...Asha, Jon Lucas, Bike, 6.39

2...Lola, Mark Manolis, Feet, 11.05

1 Mile Canicross

1...Grizzly, Darryl Sheepwins...7.43

2...Decaf, Mark Manolis...8.32

1 Mile 1 Sled Dog (all bikes)

1...Stefan Wackerhagen, 4.23

2...Darryl Sheepsecond, 4.37

3...Jon Lucas, 4.46

4...Gaetan Pierrard, 4.55

2 Mile 2 sled dog (all bikes)

1...Darryl Sheepwon, 10.44

2...Stefan Wackerhagen, 11.21

3...Jon Lucas, 15.58

(editor's note: small entry fields are great, takes so much less time to type it all in)

Many thanks to everyone who made this summer such a great success: sponsors, volunteers, racers, it really was fun!; remember, to make this winter a similar success DPSAY needs people to join the Board, we have the sponsors, we have a crew of race day volunteers, we need some behind the scenes organisers and volunteers to put it all together.

Yukon Brewing GRR GRRR Growler Races Confirmed - We Go!

2010-10-16T22:51:00.000-07:00

Which means the races are on - at Mike and Jessica Simon's - It is illegal to advertise alcohol as prizes, please view the totally unconnected product that is available from our sponsor's brewery shop - don't forget to ask for your 5% rewards program discount when buying there, and Growlers attract no deposit, nor enviro-fee - it's win win win at Yukon Brewing!

Race location - from Whitehorse drive to the Mayo Road (Road to Dawson) intersection, turn right, cross the Takhini River, pass Takhini Gas, then go into the 6th Driveway on the left that has the "Simom" sign just before it, and orange flagging at the driveway.

See you all at 5pm! Meat and Veggie burgers courtesey of Mike & Jessica, bring everything else for great season finale pot luck!

Yukon Brewing GRR GRRR Growler Races STILL on!!

2010-10-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

Trail report 13.30 Saturday - light snow dusting on trails, no problem for wheels.

Trail update noon Sunday, but all looks good.

Jessica and Mike are supplying burgers and rolls for the pot luck apres-course soiree, so if you can, please bring complimentary offerings (salad, dessert, pies etc :) )

See you at the start line!

Yukon Brewing GRR GRRR Growler Races on!!

2010-10-13T18:21:00.000-07:00

Trails scoped and checked by Mike Simon and Darryl Sheepway last night - all good and Darryl promises to flag it well pre-race on Sunday - so you know who to complain too if you get lost (not that it'll do you any good).

1 mile 1 Pet Dog, 1 mile 1 Sled dog, and 1 mile Canicross (for the hard people) follows the same 1 mile trail as last year - remember the lovely soft sand climb up off the power line? here's hoping it's frozen hard this time.

2 mile 2 sled dog, is a 2.5 mile trail twisting through the trees, and dog limit is 1-3 dogs for this race. According to the trail description of tree roots, turns, climbs and declines etc Jon thoroughly recommends body armour (very reasonably priced at sponsor Cadence Cycle). Why does Jon wear armour anyway? you may ask; and the answer is because he didn't used to, and bikejouring and scootering hurt a lot and Laura wisely pointed out "you won't spend $70 or so, so off you go to chance putting yourself out for the season, or longer" that was enough and on the next run with armour Jon met a rock that shattered his shin plate (the armour plate, not the shin, although it would have been without the armour)...which is one reason everyone signs the disclaimer.

Meet at 5pm at Jessica and Mike's, see previous post for description/map of how to get there; Mike has kindly cleared out his shop and cleaned out the log stove for the post race potluck - eat and reminisce about going the wrong way in warmth, whilst savouring Yukon Brewing's glass wrapped T shirts! DPSAY spares no luxury for its racers!

Many thanks to YUKON BREWING for T shirt prizes for 1st-3rd, and Aurora Booties, Icy Waters, C&D Feeds, Muktuk Kennel and possibly yet another Yukon Ag T shirt! as supporting prizes.

IMPORTANT FINAL NOTE - this is Jon's last race as DPSAY President and race organiser - after organising 4 summer and winter seasons all the stuff he hasn't been doing has caught up with him. To keep the races going we need a few people to step up to design & put up posters, talk to the newspapers, flag a course or two, groom the odd trail, speak to sponsors, keep the Board going (to access funding like the $4,900 DPSAY has got for the Road Runner this season) - small stuff if spread amongst many people, too much if there's less than a handful. Contact Darryl on griz311@yahoo.com if you can help out.

and thanks...it was fun!

Yukon Brewing's "The Growler" Dryland Races!

2010-10-04T22:48:00.000-07:00

Design and printing thanks to Inkspirationz Graphix!

How to get there:

So, meet at 5pm, Sunday Oct 17th, all the usual races -

1 Mile 1 Pet Dog; 1 Mile 1 Sled Dog; 1 Mile as-many-dogs-as you-like-being-dragged-by Canicross; and the 2 Mile 2 Sled Dog.

Anything non-motorised can be used.

Many thanks to Mike and Jessica Simon for hosting the event, don;t forget the pot-luck BBQ after, and thanks to Yukon Brewing for the prize T-shirts, and Icy Waters Ltd, Aurora Booties, and C&D Feeds for the supporting prizes!

Last race with wheels before more snow flies!

Eagle Pack Mongrel Hordes - photos, Clark Rogers

2010-09-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

Simi Morrison and pup Monjo

Susie Rogan keeps ahead of Ian and Marine in the mass start

Stefan gains on Sandro in the 1-2 dog

Janet Keller chases Moe Boksa to the finish in the Canicross

Jon Lucas, going too fast to the camera (or was Clark simply sneezing?), just before slipping past chainless Stefan in the mass start

Ian Usher, Marine Gstaard, and Cynthia Corriveau vie in the mass start

Finn Boksa, Canicross, clearly a student of the Mark Manolis "Sleep Racing" technique

Sandro Bumblebee buzzes along fast in the Canicross - he makes it look easy...

Darryl Sheepwins works hard up that Hill

Claudia Wickert pushes the scooter up that big hill in the 2 dog - probably faster than a number of bikejourers made it up there - and what a delight that soft woodchip section was, right near the top!

Alicia - this Canicross looks like hard work - and it is!

Alexandra Rochat having a fun blast in the mass start

1, 2, & 3 in the Mass Start...almost: at the last turn, 50m from the finish Stefan's chain broke, Darryl Sheepwon shot through to lead, closely followed by Fabian Schmitz and the "Foxy Rocket", with Jon Lucas and (get me out of this race) Simba racing, past a by now coasting Stefan, to 3rd. It ain't over till it's over, as Jon said later "I didn't hear a fat lady singing till we crossed the finish line, and Tutshi started howling!"

The "Hill" makes Fabian Schmitz work!

DPSAY RAFFLE Results

2010-09-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Drawn on Sunday Sept 12th, at Susie Rogan's and Hans Gatt's, under the watchful eyes of about 30 people:

1st Prize - Skookum Brand Northern Garments Anorak, value up to $995

ROCK BOIVIN

2nd Prize - Yukan Canoe Training Courses for 2, value $400

GRESON FREY

3rd Prize - Sky High Wilderness Ranch, 1 day riding trip for 2, value $400

JOLENE WALSH

Many thanks to everyone who bought tickets, everyone who sold them, Virginia Sarrazin for doing all the work setting the raffle up. Gene at Fas Gas Kopper King seems to be the place to buy them, as all the winners bought their tickets there.

The raffle raised a net $1600, towards the DPSAY insurance premium of $2500 - thank you!

and if you didn't win, don't be disheartened, there's another raffle for the winter and another $995 Skookum Brand Northern Garments Anorak up for grabs as well as other great prizes - all for another stake of a mere $10!

Thanks everyone!

Eagle Pack Mongrel Hordes Results in full!

2010-09-13T23:24:00.000-07:00

Karine Grenier

1 Mile 1 Pet Dog

1 - Susie Rogan - 6.41

2 - Jon Lucas - 7.58

3 - Karine Grenier - 8.37

4 - Ian Usher - 9.04

Jon Lucas and Asha "Don't take a photo, we're just having a stroll!"

1 Mile Canicross

(tying a dog to yourself and running - pure torture: you can't even coast, you have to run with the dog, or to slow it down you have to work to hold it back, but it is for all ages: from kids to grandmothers!)

1 - Sandro Bumblebee - 8.44

2 - Paul Adams - 9.25

3 - Adam Robinson - 10.22

4 - Simi Morrison - 10.32

5 - Alicia Power - 10.41

6 - Fin Boksa - 11.31

7 - Janet Keller - 13.35

8 - Maible Boksa - 14.29

9 - Moe Boksa - 15.03

10 - Christina Reeve - 21.22

Maible Boksa, having fun

Adam Robinson, indentured Kennel Slave of Sky High Wilderness Ranch obviously cannot even afford to buy clothes, apparently someone overheard him say he'd be eating the Eagle Pack he won - can someone at least get the poor man a shirt from the Salvation Army?

2 (well, nearer 3) Mile 1-2 Sled Dog

1 - Darryl Sheepwon - 11.24

2 - Cynthia Corriveau - 11.26

3 - Adam Robinson - 11.47

4 - Jon Lucas - 11.57

5 - Claudia Wickert - 12.27

6 - Susie Rogan - 12.28

7 - Fabian Schmitz - 12.51

8 - Marine Gastard - 12.52

9 - Ian Usher - 13.23

10 - Sandro Bumblebee - 13.47

11 - Alexandra Rochat - 14.15

12 - Stephan the Photographer - 15.36

13 - Janet Keller - 22.51

14 - Fin Boksa - 24.46

1 Mile MASS START (bikes, scooters, runners, 1-2 dog)

1 - Darryl Sheepwins - 3.35

2 - Fabian Schmitz - 3.36

3 - Jon Lucas - 3.37

4 - Stephan the Photographer - 3.41

5 - Susie Rogan - 3.43

6 - Ian Usher - 3.48

7 - Cynthia Corriveau - 3.49

8 - Marine Gastard - 3.50

9 - Alexandra Rochat - 3.53

10 - Deb Knight - 4.56

11 - Claudia Wickert - 5.22

12 - Janet Keller - 6.18

13 - Sandro Bumblebee - 6.41

14 - Simi Morrison - 8.28

15 - Andy - 9.01

Many thanks to Susie and Hans for hosting, trail work, and delicious food; Simi Morrison RM, Virginia Sarrazin for all the DPSAY Raffle work (results posted soon), and Eagle Pack, Aurora Booties, Icy Waters Ltd, YAA, and C&D Feeds for all the race prizes. Thanks to Clark Rogers for all photos.

Hans, where's your dog? and it's non-powered bikes only!...oh, you're trail marking....

RECORD TURNOUT for EAGLE PACK's MONGREL HORDES

2010-09-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

43 teams turned out for the 4 races, in a fun filled afternoon at Gatt Kennel.

Blog editor is tired and worn out after an exciting day at the races, but stay tuned for Race Results and photos from Clark Rogers, coming your way on Monday evening.

Thanks everyone for a great afternoon/evening!

EAGLE PACK - MONGREL HORDES - RACE ON!!

2010-09-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

MASS START RACE CONFIRMED!!

Sunday 4pm, Susie Rogan/Hans Gatt Kennel, Golden Horn; Turn off the Alaska Highway south of Carcross Cut-off onto Gentian Lane, 1.6km down lane turn right (at orange flagging tape), continue straight downtrail till you can't go any further (....because you are there!)

Eagle Pack Dog Food kindly sponsoring prizes 1-3 in the 4 races. Other prizes from Aurora Booties, Icy Waters Ltd, C&D Feeds, Muktuk Kennels, and another YAA T-shirt!!

See you all there!

Eagle Pack's "Mongrel Hordes" - Dryland Races, Sun Sept 12th

2010-09-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

The 4th Dryland outing of the 4th season is at Susie Rogan's/Hans Gatt Kennel at 4pm - off Gentian Lane. Gentian Lane is just south of the Carcross Cut-off towards Marsh Lake (that is south? whatever, it's towards Marsh Lake from the cut-off). Turn down the lane and continue down till you see a dirt road off to the right with lots of orange tape around the entrance - turn in there and just keep going straight (don't turn off) past the container truck, until the road ends at the Kennel/House.

Registration at 4pm, followed by the draw for the DPSAY raffle! Then off to the races - Hans is setting out the trails and may be varying the exact race details slightly - Bring dogs, bikes, scooters (or simply yourself for canicrossing), the trails will be 1-2miles, and the Sled Dog, Pet Dog, Canicross categories will be there as usual - Anyone on wheels MUST have a proper helmet (no wired on dog bowls this time please). Please bring something for the post-race potluck BBQ.

We're racing for EAGLE PACK DOG FOOD, and also prizes from Aurora Booties, Icy Waters Ltd, Muktuk Kennels, and C&D Feeds. Design and Printing of poster: many thanks to Inkspirationz Graphix, anyone spot the deliberate mistake? (corrected before printing).

Race Marshall - Simi Morrison - no arguing (you know it won't get you anywhere and time penalties cost you positions :) ) and no sneaking a peek at the times before the official announcements, thank you!

See you all there!

Those Yukon Meat & Sausage results in full!

2010-08-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

1 Mile 1 Dog Caniwade

1 - Kyla Johnson - 17.34

2 - Sandro Bumblebee - 18.34

3 - Maible Boksa - 23.46

4 - Moe Boksa - 24.18

1 Mile 1 Pet Dog Bikesplashjour

1 - Karine Grenier - 13.32

2 - Maren (let's fall over again in the pond) Bradley - 14.51

3 - Janet Keller - 17

Deb Knight - Scratches - quite a lot actually, and a few bruises from the rocks

1 Mile 1 Sled Dog Swimajour

1 - Darryl Sheepway - 7.32

2 - Amil Dupuis-Rossi - 9.43

3 - Janet Keller - 12.01

4 - Deb Knight - 12.25

Robert Sifke - Scratched - dog took the other way home

1 Mile 2 Sled Dog Paddleathon

1 - Darryl Sheepway

2 - Ian Usher

Thanks to everyone for turning out and making it such a fun event, don't forget to buy stuff at YUKON MEAT n SAUSAGE - THE DELI

as well as from Aurora Booties, Icy Waters Ltd, C&D Feeds

Next Race - The Eagle Pack MONGREL HORDES, at Susie Rogan/Hans Gatt's on Gentian Lane, mid September, details coming soon.

Splashing Good Times - YUKON MEAT & SAUSAGE - The Deli Watersports Outing!

2010-08-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

What better to do in the sun at +30'C than take a dog or two and go running through lots of water - exercise and fun (amazing that those two words are found in the same sentance!)

15 teams "competed" - well it appears Darryl competed, everyone else had a laugh, Grizzly was heard to comment later - "How come everyone else had so much fun ? all I heard was "Go GO!, NOOOO! don't stop, you can drink later, go, faster, GO!" I want a transfer, my paws are still smokin!"

Photos from Clark Rogers - thank you (erm results will come later - well ok , Darryl won the one and two sled dog (again...boring, and well done), Carine Grenier reprised her victory in the pet dog, and proof that guiding gets you fit, Kyla Johnson beat professional runner Sandro Bumblebee (is that really his name?) in the caniwade, in fact Sandro only just managed to stay ahead of hard-driving 7 year old Maible Boksa)

Canicross at its best

Kyla Johnson takes an early bath

Uh-oh, Big Pet dog starts to tip Maren Bradley in for the third time...revenge for the July Race comment of "ah, she doesn't run"

Just...Fun

Robert Sifke and Decaf (Smokin' Paws) enjoy the trail

Janet Keller and what looks like a small Polar Bear, driving for the next creek

Smokin' Paws 1 & 2 take Deb Knight just before her intimate impact with the local rocks

Ian Usher, with knee and elbow armour...hooray..."sense in action"! now If Deb Knight had that her crash wouldn't have left all those scabs...

"Jeez Darryl, it's not the Percy you know? and I'd like to have stopped with the other guys in that last pond, that Siberian had some good points on the failure of the Russian wheat crop because of global WARMING!"..."It's a RACE Grizzly! GO! GO!"

Grizzly, winner of this week's longest tongue competition

Maible Boksa makes a break past her Mum Moe - or just having fun in the water with dogs

Taking time in the Caniwade with man's best friend...what better way to spend a hot evening, does it get any better?

Yukon Meat n Sausage Race ON, just a bit shorter

2010-08-14T14:02:00.003-07:00

Due to unseasonably high temperatures your RM has wisely shortened the 2 mile to 1 mile.

This keeps all the ponds and creeks as they occur in the first half mile of the trail. There are at least 5 places on the way out (and the same five on the way back) where the dogs, and you, have no choice but to go through flowing water. It's not deep but it's nice and cool. At the turnaround, the deepest of the creeks (shin deep). it's advised you let your dogs stop for a drink (and anywhere else they want to cool off) - they'll probably stop there anyway.

YTG Clears Culvert, Ponds magically shrink

2010-08-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

News just in from the trail - the 4 or more ponds have shrunk to 1 and a couple of damp patches. There's still plenty of water on the trail, what with the 3 creeks you have to cross twice, so no danger of overheating, and I still recommend a change of clothes as racers/monkeys are going to get at least moist!

Race On!!

YUKON MEAT & SAUSAGE, The Deli - Dryland Race is ON!

2010-08-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday 8th saw an intrepid Hugh Neff, sans any protective gear whatsoever, attach a dog to himself for the first time and get on his new bike, whilst Jon Lucas attached an awful lot of protective gear to himself along with two dogs and got on his bike, and Normand Casavant safely sat on a quad in support - and they took off down Sunday 15th's hot hounds trail!

1) Your hounds will not get hot

2) bring a change of clothes

Within the first 400m of trail there are about 4 ponds (I lost count) that cross the trail, or rather, they are the trail. You can't go round them, as there is no "side" to them as such; they extend way off the sides of the trail. But you can cycle through them, wetly - that was fun (no, it was, honest). The trail becomes hard sand and passes the FN encampment, then a gentle climb, across a shallow creek, then up the big sandy hill - once you are up there it is great, twisting and turning, a little up and down, and another creek, then another one, and then a BIG one with a choice of two routes to cross, take your pick but get back on the trail (in this creek Jon's front wheel stopped on a rock, rather than be hauled off, Jon jumped off, knee deep, nice n cooling), then carry on to the turnaround (there will be a quad and volunteer there for the race), and come back through all that luverly water and sand and race for the finish - except Hugh didn't do that cos his brakes magically got jammed on at the top of the sandy hill, and Jon didn't race very far at all after his rear tyre blew out at the bottom of hte sandy hill - a bike pushing canicross/caniwade back through the ponds. Beware the turn at the bottom of hte sandy hill, it's still soft sand and if you let the brakes off too early the front wheel slides out from under you (well, Jon's did).

Normand ran it on the quad and said later "That is excellent, your dogs cannot get too hot, I am bringing mine down here!"

It really is a fun, interesting trail. I suspect if you try to race it, you'll have more problems and be slower than if you just go and enjoy it. It certainly is not an "out n back" blast like Cadence Cycle's Drag n Fly Kennel trail.

RM is Simi Morrison, Timer Maren Bradley. Don't forget to buy many many DPSAY raffle tickets.

The post race BBQ is at Km 3 Annie Lake Rd, Normand and Carine's place, please bring food and drinks, BBQ will be fired up and ready.

Oh yes, race registartions, race start etc at approx km 15-16 Annie Lake Rd, at the pull-out where the road first meets the Lake.

Many thanks to Sponsors Yukon Meat and Sausage, the Deli, supported by Icy Waters Ltd, C&D Feeds, Aurora Booties, Grizzly Pigs Farm, and Yukon Ag Association.

Have fun, helmets mandatory (apart from canicrossers)

YUKON MEAT & SAUSAUGE - THE DELI, presents the "Three Creeks Dryland Races"

2010-07-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

- or slightly moistland after you've been through the three creeks...twice.

Sunday August 15th, 5pm (the nights are fair drawing in) meet in the parking area where Annie Lake Rd first meets Annie Lake at approx km 15/16. The two mile trail starts from the road and runs the Carbon Hill 30 in reverse, for a mile, up the sandy hill, through a small, medium, and slightly larger than medium creek before looping round and returning through the creeks and down the nice hill. The Canicrossers have a nice flat 1 mile trail, without any water crossings, and the two 1 doggers simply go half the distance of the two milers (yes, you get the hill too - but don't forget you come down it as well).

Simple, straightforward, the trails will be well-flagged by local volunteer Hugh Neff. Any possible complaints regarding trail flagging should therefore please be directed to Mr Neff.

Prizes for 1-3rd in the 4 races are delicious cash certificates (ok, the stuff you buy with them is delicious, the certificate itself may not actually be delicious, although I havn't tried it) from the delectable goodies stocked in Yukon Meat and Sausage - The Deli, whilst supporting prizes are kindly provided by Icy Waters Ltd, Aurora Booties, Muktuk Kennels, C&D Feeds (luverly cat treats (ok, I havn't tried this either, but I'm sure it's tasty) I know some of you have cats!), and there's still a most popular T shirt from the Yukon Agriculture Association amongst the prizes.

Following the prize ceremony, Normand Casavant and Carine Grenier have kindly agreed to host the pot-luck BBQ at their kennel at Km 8, Annie Lake rd, thank you Casaventures!

A sample from YM&S, the Deli - to receive the actual certificate just turn up for the race with a dog tied to you and run or cycle very fast...simple! but if you don't want to go fast (nothing wrong with walking in the Canicross, I've done it, the dog likes it), don't worry, there'll be something for everyone; just come out and have fun!

DATE CHANGE!! ALERT!! DATE CHANGE

2010-07-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

The Yukon Meat and Sausage - the Deli, Hot hounds Dryland race is now Sunday 15th August, at Annie Lake Rd, with post race in-depth analysis BBQ at Normand Casavant/Carine Grenier's Kennel. We borrow part of the Carbon Hill 30 mile trail which features many super fun water splashes and a delightful not really long at all, not really sandy, well a bit, hill - which means you do get to come down it as well - look on the bright side: my glass is always half-full, except that isn't my glass at all, mine was full, who took it? Sorry, I digress - NEXT RACE:

SUNDAY 15th AUGUST, YUKON MEAT AND SAUSAGE Hot Hounds

details to follow.

2010-07-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

DPSAY Summer RAFFLE - win prizes of $400-$995!

The DPSAY summer raffle , still going, get your tickets now, only 250 in total!

1st Prize - your choice of a Skookum Brand Northern Garments Anorak, value up to $995; 2nd Prize - 2 x $200 Canoe training course from Yukan Canoe; 3rd Prize - 2 x $200 full day horseback trips from Sky High Wilderness Ranch.

Tickets $10 each from any Board Member, and soon at the Kopper King Fas Gas

Draw held before the first race of the Mongrel Hordes Hot Hounds on September 12th

Sky High Wilderness Ranch

Yukan Canoe

Those Cadence Cycle photos in full - thanks to Clark Rogers

2010-07-19T17:46:00.001-07:00

Marcelle Fressinau grits her teeth for the downhill section!

Giant Dog leads Maren Bradley to second in Pet Dog, and Maren said she doesn't run...

The colour co-ordinated black team of Board Member and RAFFLE organiser Vi Sarrazin makes their racing debut

Fast Man-Fast Dog combo, Ryan "Ringer" Leif and Grizzly tore round the mile in just 4m 56!

Alexandra Rochat races through the scenery

Jon Lucas "Jeez this is hard work", Bluto "aha, so now you now how it feels, two-legs, try pulling as well!"

The now familiar sight of Mark Manolis "sleep-racing", whilst passing Janet Keller and her 3 month old veteran

Newcomer (to racing, although RR100 Mendenhall timer veteran) Robert enjoying the Pet Dog Race

Maren Bradley deep in concentration, or is it the "I said GEE!" face?

Marcelle Fressinau of Alauyuk Adventure closes on Roxanne Mason in the Canicross

Jon Lucas leans over to give the impression he's going fast (it was only an impression...)

Cynthia Corriveau having a bad day but actually finishing this race! Well done, 1 out of 3 ain't bad!

Smokin' Paws "B" Monkey Amil Dupuis-Rossi

Carine Grenier wins the Pet Dog! C'mon Carine, give us a smile, it's supposed to be fun!

Cadence Cycle + First Mate Extreme Freight Pull RECORD turnout

2010-07-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

37 teams signed up at Drag N Fly Kennel for the Cadence Cycle Hot Hounds. A cool evening breeze made fro good low temperatures for the dogs, and the gravel/hard earth trail caused no major injuries (although Jenet Keller looked like she was about to be cut in half when Tutshi faked haw and then gee'd at the last moment leaving Jon Lucas scootering relatively fast on the other side with the line stretched across Janet's path....it all worked out well though).

In the First Mate Freight Pull, newcomer Ibex pulled the cart for Gaetan Pierrard and earned himself second place and $90 of dog food in the lightweights, whilst Zoya pulled to victory earning Janet Keller $135 of dog food. Many thanks to Bombproof Ooutdoor Gear for the freightpull trolley.

Go Zoya!

Tippy pulled the cart to second place for Amil Dupuis Rossi in the Mediumweights

"Tippy, this way, leave Jim's vegetables alone"

Whilst Asha returned to take the mediumweights for the third year

"This is so much shorter than those Skijors he takes me on!"

More photos from Clark Rogers in future posts.

The Results! All monkeys rode bikes unless otherwise stated

2 Mile 2 Sled Dog

1. - Darryl Sheepway - "Smoking Paws" - Fry + Coho - 7.29

2. - Claudia Wickert - 7.54

3. - David Mason - 8.16 - Scooter

4. - Jon Lucas - "Snowpigs" - Tutshi + Flicker - 8.28 Scooter

5. - Adam Robinson - "Slaves of Sky High" - 8.34

6. - Sandro Bumblebee - "Bumblebee" - 9.18

7. - Maren Bradley - "Persistence" - 11.50

8. - Janet Keller - "Grizzly Blizzard" - 13.30

Scratch - Cynthia Corriveau -

Speedy Sheepway wins the 2 mile

1 Mile 1 Sled Dog

1. - Darryl Sheepway - again - 3.24

2. - Claudia Wickert - again - 3.56

3. - Amil Dupuis-Rossi - Smokin' Paws - 4.02

4. - Gaetan Pierrard - Ibex - 4.10

5. - Jon Lucas - Bluto - 4.20 - Scooter

6. - Alexandra Rochat - 4.21

7. - Cynthia Corriveau - 5.09

8. - Marcelle Fressinau - Alauyuk Adventure - 6.15

9. - Maren Bradley - 10.20

Gaetan Pierrard with the beautiful Yukon as the backdrop, unfortuntely Gaetan is d/q for signing his disclaimer with an "X" - witty, very witty...

1 Pet Dog 1 Mile

1. - Carine Grenier - 4.37

2. - Maren Bradley - 6.12

3. - Janet Keller - 7.08

4. - Robert Siefke - 7.22

5. - Mark Manolis - 8.50 - Running

Scratch - Cynthia Corriveau, not having a good day.

GO MARK! This is what we mean by a Pet Dog! are his eyes shut again???

1 Mile Canicross - Record Entries!

1. - Ryan Leef + Grizzly - 4.56

2. - Sandro Bumblebee - 5.39

3. - Jon Lucas + Bluto - 6.01

4. -Chrystal Bartczak - 6.30

5. - Mark Manolis - 7.33

6. - Adam Robinson - 8.25

7. - Simi Morrison - 8.41

8. - Roxanne Mason - 8.55

9. - Virginia Sarrazin - 8.58

10. - Janet Keller - 9.08

11. - Marcelle Fressinau - 11.20

12. - Christiane - 11.38

Many thanks to hosts Tony Radford and Chrystal Bartczak, at Lee Kirkpatrick and Jim Hajash's kennel; thanks to all of you for coming out and having a great time, and RM Simi Morrison, Timer Jocelyn LeBlanc, on course volunteer Tony R. Also to Cadence Cycle for great prizes, First Mate Dogfood for yet more dogfood and Aurora Booties, Muktuk Kennel, Icy Waters Ltd, Chocolate Claim, and Yukon Ag Association for supporting prizes.

DPSAY Summer RAFFLE - win prizes of $400-$995!

2010-07-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

The DPSAY summer raffle kicks off at the First Mate Freight Pull and Cadence Cycle hothounds race this evening at Drag n Fly Kennel. 1st Prize - your choice of a Skookum Brand Northern Garments Anorak, value up to $995; 2nd Prize - 2 x $200 Canoe training course from Yukan Canoe; 3rd Prize - 2 x $200 full day horseback trips from Sky High Wilderness Ranch.

Tickets $10 each from any Board Member, and soon at the Kopper King Fas Gas

Draw held before the first race of the Mongrel Hordes Hot Hounds on September 12th

Sky High Wilderness Ranch

Yukan Canoe

First Mate Extreme Freight Pull and CADENCE CYCLE Dryland Race all ready to roll!

2010-07-10T13:37:00.000-07:00

Trail was run last night - some gravel, some firm sand and earth. Mainly flat and running alongside the Old Alaska Highway makes for good speed and spectating. Cadence Cycle have sponsored us with over $300 of cycling goodies for 1-3rd in the four races, and for everyone else there are prizes from Icy Waters Ltd, C&D Feeds, Aurora Booties, and the Chocolate Claim!!

First Mate Freight Pull has 3 bags of dog food for 1st, 2 for 2nd, and 1 for 3rd, and if your dog just won't pull, there's consolation prizes from the other sponsors. Remember the dog has to stay, attached to the trolley till you have walked the 16' feet to the fininsh, then, and only then can he start moving the trolley (he can bounce around as much as he likes, so long as the trolley doesn't cross the start line). Dog weight categories - 0-60lb lightweight; 61-100lb medium; 101+ Heavies.

Races follow the freight pull, and pot-luck BBQ follows the races!

Registration at 6pm, Drag n Fly Kennel, km2 Old Alaska Highway, Sunday 11th - see you there!

Cadence Cycling Hot Hounds and First Mate Summer Freight Pull

2010-07-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

Round 2 in the Dryland series features the notorious "bonebreaker" trail - the venue is famous for controvesy (remember Susie Rogan resisting arrest? Valerie leading the 2 dog before crashing and burning (er, surely "breaking"?) 20 yards from the finish?); Lee Kirkpatrick and Jim Hajash are happy to throw open their estate and Drag N Fly Kennel at km 2 on the Old Alaska Highway for another rollicking good time, races, freight pull, BBQ and the occassional quaffing of a refreshing cool T-shirt. Unfortunately they won't be there, which is rather extra cool of them to allow us to race there in their absence - the meet will instead be hosted by Tony "CHT 2009-10 Champion" Radford and Chrystal Bartzak.

The usual set of races on the apparently mellow, mainly gravel, flat and straight trail - if you come off your wheels don't straight arm into the ground, let your hand touch the ground then bend your arm, and roll over onto your shoulder - a crash technique perfected by Snowpigs, because they get a lot of practice at it.

So, Registration at 6pm, be on time please, and thanks for being so punctual at the Chocolate Claim races.

Sunday July 11th, Drag n Fly Kennel, km2, Old Alaska Highway

6.30pm - FIRST MATE Summer Freight Pull, Heavy >100lb; Medium 60-99lb; Light up to 60lb, class, First Mate Extreme 40lb bags of dog food, 3 for 1st place, 2 for second, 1 for third.

7.00pm ish

1 mile 1 pet dog - wheels

1 mile 1 sled dog - wheels

2 mile 2 sled dogs - wheels

(and Sandro) - Canicross - 1 mile, as many dogs as you feel comfortable being dragged down the gravel by - runners/trotters/walkers only with dog(s) attached at all times.

everybody welcome - racers, spectators, volunteers! and this is where the cool dogs go!

Great cycling orientated prizes from CADENCE CYCLE of Wood Street (633 5600), with supporting prizes from Muktuk Kennel, Aurora Booties, and Icy Waters Ltd - search them out and buy their stuff!

Poster kindly printed by Inkspirations Graphix

City smooths out the "Steps of Death" on CHT trail

2010-06-29T21:17:00.001-07:00

What was two large steps has been kindly smoothed out into a slope by Gordon Smith, City of Whitehorse, Transportation Supervisor - many thanks! Trail now as safe as it was before!

Mystery remains as to how the gravel was dropped there to originally form the steps.

WARNING, ALERT, DANGER

2010-06-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

Hi all - too serious to joke about if you are using the following trail:

The trail we use in the new 8 mile CHT, it runs along the landfill electric fence (remember, the 10 million Ravens) - on the return loop you run along the electic fence and cross the old dump access road at right angles and have a short steep downhill immediately you cross that road.

If you are quadding/biking that trail - someone has dumped 2-3 truckloads of gravel off that road down the short steep downhill - it has CREATED TWO LARGE STEPS - and you can't see them as you approach.

Tonight I approached that downhill with 3 dogs attached to my quad, all looked good until the dogs looked like they fell off a cliff...because they had..and so did the quad as I pulled on the brakes, which meant I pitched onto step 2 and started rotating over the front axle. Lights and winch kissed gravel, and the quad fell back instead of flipping forward on top of me.

I have asked the City if they did it (as they have the keys to open the gate to the road, I guess that is a bit of a redundant question) and asked them to put up some sort of warning.

In the meantime, if you are quadding on that trail, approach the old dump access road with great CAUTION - goodness knows what will be there next.

Funny thing, if I hadn't been running dogs and just reconning the trail, I would have come over that first step at a lot more than 20km/hr, with no dogs to warn me...you gotta love dogs, they never looked back..."oh, a cliff, Jon being funny? what's new? let's go!"

Safe training!

Chocolate Claim Races - those 2 dog teams in full (courtesy Clark Rogers)

2010-06-20T13:07:00.000-07:00

Darryl Sheepway powering down the Copper Haul, Leader 1 to Leader 2 "That wasn't a long enough stop at the pond, my mouths's still full of dust!" Darryl: "Go faster then and pass those teams ahead!"

Claudia/Cynthia Wickert, face a mask of concentration, or just trying to dodge the flying gravel?

Jon Lucas, fully armoured, although at the speeds he managed it was hardly necessary

Puppy leads the pack - Adam "Kennel Slave" Robinson, in rare footage of him out on front shows youth can trump experience.

Show me the Money!! Cheque arrives for DPSAY Litter PIck-up

2010-06-16T18:11:00.001-07:00

$250 for picking up litter along Fish Lake Rd - Thanks to everyone who volunteered for this! You know who you are and you can stand proud knowing you picked up dirty bad people's garbage and made this City a cleaner place - and made DPSAY $250 closer to its insurance premium!!

CHOCOLATE CLAIM : DUST EATIN' DERBY RESULTS! n photos (thanks to Clark Rogers)

2010-06-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

A glorious normal Yukon summer day - mild, cloudy, threat of rain, south breeze - met the teams, monkeys, officials, volunteers and spectators Sunday at Icy Waters Ltd. Nine kennels turned out, and fielded 17 teams, had fun and raised $$ for DPSAY.

The two dog two mile trail - the CHT Kid's loop and for 3 years the return section of the 12 mile CHT should have posed no problems....100m from the start Snowpig's newcomer Flicker in her first ever race took fright at a passing bee (or a ghost, whatever) and tangled, it took Jon a minute to remember it's easier (or actually possible) to untangle lines and dogs if you take your heavy protective gloves off first...by which time it was all over for Snowpigs...except that in the actual wooded loop Smokin' Paws team took off down the wrong trail, closely followed by Cynthia, oops sorry, Claudia Wickert, only alerted by a chasing Jon screaming "Gee" at leader Tutshi. And for a moment Snowpigs were back in with a chance....till Adam - Sky High Kennel Slave - Robinson motored past at the water stop. And then it was all over as more tangles slowed Snowpigs and Smokin' Paws' Darryl Sheepway finished first in a cloud of dust, 2 seconds ahead of Adam, and 3 seconds ahead of Claudia, with Snowpigs somewhere quite a lot further back. Meanwhile Sandro had gamely Canicrossed the 2 mile amongst the bikes and finished in a great time of 18.15.

2 mile (ish) 2 sled dog, all bikejour except Sandro

1 Darryl Sheepway Smokin' Paws 11.00

2 Adam Robinson Sky High 11.02

3 Claudia Wickert "No Name - PC brand kennel" 11.03

4 Jon Lucas Snowpigs 11.34

5 Sandro 18.15

1 Mile 1 sled dog + 1 mile 1 Pet dog (sole entrant, Sandro)

Sandro again ran the mile, almost catching Janet Keller and her cute puppy, and sleepy Mark Manolis - catching flies.....

The trail was rock and gravel downhill from the start (nice) then steep uphill (not nice at all) followed by a fast hard packed mud section through the trees, before returning to the gravel of the Copper Haul Trail and the steep downhill/rock chute (worrying), before uphill back to the start line - harder work than the 2 miles with 2 dogs - at least Snowpigs couldn't tangle with just one dog! (although they tried). Because all the racers were moving, we all thought trail vounteers Jennifer and Claudia were simply waving us on as they swung their arms around madly...we didn't notice the hordes of blackflies descending on the poor unfortunates who had to stay in position to make sure we made the turns...the organisers didn't want another outburst from Smokin' Paws about "bad trail marking" after the 2 dog......

Grizzly & Darryl Sheepway, concentrating.....must win....must win.....trail marking? wot tra....?
Amil Dupuis-Rossi "Just follow the green tape, it's easy, if only people would listen in the Musher's meetings"
Bluto and Jon Lucas... concentrating on staying upright in the rock chute

1 mile 1 sled dog

1 - Darryl Sheepway - Smokin' Paws - 6.15

2 - Jon Lucas - Snowpigs - 6.20

3 - Amil Dupuis-Rossi - Smokin' Paws - 7.40

4 - Mark Manolis - 9.53

5 - Janet Keller - Grizzly Blizzard - 9.54

1 mile 1 pet dog

1 - Sandro - 9.58

Sandro having no trouble in the rock chute

Canicross! with 5 entrants the race was on - the same trail as the wheeled 1 dog - the racers soon discovered at what speed the blackfly could keep up.

Janet Keller with her first time racer!

Asha "See, running is FUN"; Jon "No, it isn't , it hurts"

Melanie Bedard

Simi Morrison

Unfortunately we don't have a photo of Mark, he was probably asleep under a bush somewhere - note how most of the Canicrossers are smiling, it's such a fun sport :)

1 mile Canicross

1 - Jon Lucas and Asha - 11.20

2 - Mark Manolis - 12.40

3 - Simi Morrison - 13.28

4 - Melanie Bedard - 16.50

5 - Janet Keller - 18.55

There followed a most enjoyable pot luck BBQ, and prize ceremony, with delicious prizes from the Chocolate Claim for places 1-3, and smaller prizes from Aurora Booties, Icy Waters Ltd, Muktuk Kennel and a special 2 dog Red Lantern prize from Gene Ennis.

Next races July 11th and the First Mate Summer Freight Pull. I know the location but I can't publicise it quite yet as I can't get in touch with the hosts...so they don't know they are the hosts..yet. All will be revealed in good time - merry training, and dodge those bears!

Race on! Chocolate Claim Dust Eatin' Derby ON!!

2010-06-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

Trail checked - 2.5 mile wide and straightforward, 1 mile (1 dog teams) a little more technical - but nothing you veterans of the CHT haven't met with larger teams in winter!

Looks like a nice cool evening, and the 2.5 mile has a pond along about 1/3 its length to let the dogs cool off in!

Delectable prizes from the Chocolate Claim, with supporting prizes fron Aurora Booties, Icy Waters Ltd, C&D Feeds, a very nice T shirt (really, made of cotton n stuff) for the 2 dog Red Lantern from Gene Ennis, and 2lb sample bags of dog food from new sponsor Muktuk Kennels!!!!

6pm Icy Waters Ltd, Km 4.2 Fish Lake Rd, Sunday 13th - and don't forget your DPSAY membership money (no membership no race) - $15 single/$25 family. Then you have to pay more to actually race = First race $10, subsequent $5! I know, but we have a $2500 insurance premium to pay, amongst other costs, and for the other 14 odd events we put on, you only have the entry fee :)

Potluck BBQ and T shirt opening in the IWL parking lot after the races - bring a chair, firepit if we're allowed.

Dryland Season Kicks Off!

2010-06-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

More Money!

2010-06-05T15:19:00.001-07:00

Crooked Eye Kennels donates 2 years worth of recyclables to DPSAY! - the crushed cans will fill a pick up! Board Member Jocelynn LeBlanc will be weighting down her truck with aluminium and glass shortly to claim all those deposits for DPSAY.

Newsflash! Lotteries Yukon provides over $4900 for DPSAY Road Runner

2010-06-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

An application to Lotteries Yukon for funding to support the proposed next season's Road Runner mid-distance race was successful! - allowing DPSAY to access funds for Trail Work (including 2800 marker stakes); facility rental fees; and a small amount for honoraria.

Thank you DPSAY Board for applying, and thank you Lotteries Yukon!

Chocolate Claim : DUST EATIN' DERBY Dryland!

2010-06-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

Loads of dust out here! All ready to be tore up by bikes, scooters, and feet (human and monkey) with the 2010 DRYLAND SEASON PREMIERE - the CHOCOLATE CLAIM HOT HOUNDS!!

Kicking off season 4 with the :

1 sled dog 1 mile

1 pet dog 1 mile

as many dogs as you like (or are crazy enough to use) 1 mile Canicross - take seven league steps!

and the soon to be famous

2 sled dog 2,5 mile mini mass start

This is an interesting format, with 2 teams starting next to each other, followed 30 seconds later by another pair, then another pair till everyone is out at once. This is down the Copper Haul so it's nice and wide. Just before the turn into the Kid's loop there will be a line in the sand - first dog to the line has priority into the loop and NO passing in the loop - make sure you draw bib 1!

The one dogs go the other way, with the delight of a short climb, then sprint twistily through the trees on hard mud, before racing back down a Copper Haul Section from last winter's trail and down the mogul descent (except the snow has melted so it's so much easier to negotiate - it is, honest, beware the rocks).

Meet at Icy Waters Ltd 6pm sharp Sunday, or Jocelynn & Simi won't let you in, remember it's DPSAY membership renewal time ($15 single, $25 family/couples), $10 entry for your first race, $5 for subsequent races (on the same day).

As always bike helmets - and not some dog bowl "helmet" famously featured on the Yukon News cover - are mandatory, and body armour recommended - ask yourself if your knee/elbow is worth $35? Armour available at sponsor Cadence Cycle (the bike shop previously known as "Philippe's")

Prizes for 1st-3rd from the Chocolate Claim (coffee still 50c off with your own mug), other prize positions from Aurora Booties, C&D Feeds, Icy Waters Ltd.

BBQ in the IWL car park afterwards - bring a chair! and a Yukon Brewing T-shirt, and catch up with all the dog sports enthusiasts you won't recognise in summer now you can actually see them and they've cut winter's insulation off!

Hot Hounds Dryland returns on June 13th!!

2010-05-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Hosted by Icy Waters Ltd at km 4,2 Fish Lake Rd, the evening has a two dog, 5km, mini-mass start; the 1 mile 1 Pet Dog; 1 mile Canicross; and 1 mile 1 Sled Dog, with BBQ and T-shirts afterwards - sponsored by the ever popular:

CHOCOLATE CLAIM

Prizes from Chocolate Claim, Aurora Booties, Icy Waters Ltd

Stay tuned for more details later in May

The Great DPSAY Litter Pick-up

2010-05-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

DPSAY is holding its annual litter pick-up on Weds May 19th, meet at 7pm at Icy Waters Ltd.

We will be picking up the litter and discarded beer cans (am I allowed to mention alcohol?) from Turbine no.1 Fish Lake Rd (adjacent to Icy Waters Ltd (IWL)) down to the Alaska Highway (just 4km downhill). Two Board members are bringing their trucks to carry away the rubbish and tough used feed bags for rubbish collection are provided by IWL.

Many hands make light work and this pick-up raises $250 for DPSAY's coffers - we need this cash for insurance, so please turn out, bring tough gloves (it's amazing, and frankly sometimes disgusting, what people think is ok to dump from their vehicles).

This is an open invitation to DPSAY members, and the public - come out and clean up Fish Lake Rd! Keep the recyclables - make money and feel good at the same time!

NEWSFLASH - YUKON BREWING BACKS SEASON 5!!!

2010-04-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

Yukon Brewing confirmed yesterday they are very happy to support SEASON 5 of the Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister League. This means in 5 years they will have poured more than an incredible $8500 cash into the League, and innumerable refreshing T-Shirts!

Buy Yukon Brewing, it's the best, it's local,

and you know it makes sense!

Hot Hounds Dryland Racing schedule coming soon, first race Sunday 13th June

Finally - Photos of the Final Twister of the season - The Optimum Pet Products race day, courtesy of Dave Mondor

2010-04-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

Hey, white Dude, she said "haw!"

Pippa Lawson laughing all the way to the bank winning the Pet Dog League Championship

Darryl Sheepway, snarling at "yet more ***** moguls!" His dogs are flying over them though

"Leon" hurtles towards his next target

Tony takes first, and the Twister Championship, perhaps we should give him a -2dog handicap next season????

Hooray! The Kid's race sees Skijorers!

Nora Vincent-Braun concentrating hard

"Yes, we are gorgeous!"

Jeff Diment rushes down the last set of moguls

DPSAY AGM - April 13th 6pm Beringia Centre

2010-04-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

With at least half of the existing Board retiring at the AGM, we certainly need support and people to join the Board. We are insured for a whole summer and winter season of at least 13 Race Meets, 2 Freight Pulls, and a Symposium - but we can organise whatever we want. It's great to attend and race in these, and fun to volunteer for the events but we need a Board in order to organise them in the first place.

DPSAY and the Yukon Brewing CHT Organisation in the last 4 years have organised over 41 Race Meets, 5 Freight Pulls, and Dog Sports Symposium - and it all started when Whitehorse was looking at just one Race Meet - the Carbon Hill - per year. Let's keep this rolling!

A Night on the Road

2010-04-05T17:36:00.000-07:00

Right: Paul Geoffrion at the finish line

Below: Moe Boska pets, umm, holds a team

Mike Simon and I had an unique perspective of the Road Runner 100 as trailsweepers.

For the week before the event, daytime highs above freezing chewed up the snowpack as fast as Mike, Darrell Otto, Gaeten Pierrard, Darryl Sheepway and Stacey Zaychuk, among many others, prepped the trail for the Dog Powered Sports Association's inaugural run.

Although scheduled to end in Haines Junction, the race was stopped at Mile 99, Canyon, where an original Alaska Highway trestle bridge crosses the Aishihik River. Beyond that the trail was impassible.

Warm weather made for a fast trail. At 3 p.m. we tracked the teams from the Takhini River Bridge on the Mayo Road. Sue Stevenson from the Rendezvous committee had just watched the last team scoot under the Bridge. Less than two hours later the lead mushers arrived at Mendenhall.

First out of the firehall checkpoint was this year's leader of the middle distance Crispin Studer at 9:34 p.m. followed by Hugh Neff at 9:42 and skijorer Gaeten Pierrard at 9:59. Checkpoint hosts had a concession stand serving hearty soups and chili for the five hour layover. Mushers and handlers put over $600 in the cofers for a community playground.

Front runners Hugh Neff and Crispin Studer arrived in Mendenhall within six minutes of each other and Gaeten Pierrard arrived within the hour. He completed the entire trip in an unbelievably fast nine hours, eleven minutes. Gaeten talked about the parallels people draw between skijoring and sledding and says its false. Skijoring "might seem faster with no weight to pull with no sled, but they are so different. Skijoring is a class by itself. You can't compare."

There was no formal rule, but it was understood that if a skijorer had to drop a dog, the race would be over for them. But, all three skijorers rigged up systems to pack a dropped dog at least to Mendenhall. Gaeten had a neck line fixed in his pulk bag where he could clip in. Jonathan Lucas had a small dog kennel fastened to the pulk he used in the Yukon Arctic Ultra and Darryl Sheepway had cut down the runners of a child's sled to make a one dog basket. All three carried their mandatory gear in the dogboggans and were prepared to pack it out on their backs if necessary.

Wide shallow patches of overflow loomed up through the night. Crispin mimicked a Swiss ski jumper with his plunge down one of the many steep drops. Traffic didn't bother the dogs, "except to make them speed up," he said. He'll return next year to defend his title.

Debby Knight moved to the Yukon from Ontario for the express purpose of pursuing the dog driving lifestyle. She finished eighth in nine hours two minutes. At the banquet said she'd be back.

On the return to Whitehorse it was clear what 20 dog teams had done to trail. What was scarce cover for the leaders of the Road Runner 100, was a scarred grass drag for the back of the pack. Consider it a prelude to next month's Hot Hounds Dryland Races.
Thanks to our our wonderful volunteers and mobile vets Carolynne Fujda (left) and Helen Eddy.
A huge thank you to our sponsors Icy Waters Ltd., Arctic Backhoe, and CKRW, for staking purse. With your generous sponsorship, everyone placed in the money with a $100 refund on their entry fees.

photos and words by Jessica Simon
posted by yukonwriter@lycos.com

Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister, Season 4, League Results

2010-04-03T18:55:00.001-07:00

8 Mile Twister

1)...Tony Radford...Drag n Fly...Sled...40 points...$250 + Trophy

2)...Jon Lucas...Snowpigs...Skis...32 points...$200

3)...Chrystal Bartzcak...Drag n Fly...Sled...24 points...$150

4)...Crispin Studer...Sled...20 Points...$100

5)...Trevor Braun...My Dog...Skis...14 Points...$50

5km 1 Pet Dog

1)...Tiramasu, Pippa Lawson...skis...38 Points...$125

2)...Asha, Jon Lucas...skis+bikejour...32 Points...$100

5km Kid's Race

1)...Erin Spicer...Dogged Pursuit...sled...30 Points...$125

March Pooper Scoop - Part 1

2010-03-26T19:26:00.001-07:00

March 7 Icy Water Ltd. Race Day 12 km Twister

Check out Nicholas Dory's superb photos of the March 7 meet because this month's Lesson from the Trail is:
If you're going to take pictures, make sure the battery's charged! Oh yeah, and try not to stand where the dog drivers have to dodge you or dump you!

Fourteen teams turned out for the day's sun-run. A five-minute flurry the night before put a light dusting of snow over a concrete-hard trail, making things slick for everyone. Tony Radford, who volunteered at the far end of the trail, had three teams crash in front of him. Pictured here is Darryl Sheepway and his Smokin' Paws, fully recovered from the Road Runner 100 a week before. Jim Hajash's puppy team had a great training run. And Cynthia Corriveau's comment as she whizzed past was "Lots of passing!"

Eighteen seconds separated meet champion Chrystal Bartzcak and second place finisher Jonathan Lucas. Two and a half minutes later, Crispin Studer pulled in with his team of cleaning products - Vim, Ajax, Bleach. Who knew so many good dog names are lurking under the sink.

"The moguls were tough," said Crispin of the bumpy hard-pack. "There's no rhythm for me or the dogs."

5 km Kids' League
Four teams came out to give Erin Spicer a run for her money. Unfortunately, a Yukon bush driver chose to take a short cut and carved up our course. Volunteers were forced to stop the teams and turn them around, thereby cutting out the mish-mash of gouges at the return loop.

Most effected by the manoeuver was team Dogged Pursuit who were completely confused by backtracking, especially when they knew the "real" trail goes that-a-way, not this way. The hiccup cost musher Erin Spicer precious seconds, allowing Alan Mark's four-dog team and Seth Carey with three dogs to slip ahead into first and second place. Thea Carey's two-dog team brought up the rear with a finish time of 12 minutes flat.

5 km Pet League
Asha pulling Jonathan Lucas and Pippa Lawson with Tiramisu were neck and neck with Jonathan edging out Pippa by a nine slim seconds. New to the league was third place finisher Elisabeth Weigand with Stella, a dog that once ran with Bob Fink.

Thanks to all our sponsors for the Icy Waters Ltd Race Day. Please support the following businesses:
Midnight Sun Alpaca, Yukon Grain Farm, Yukon Elk Antler, First Mate Dog Food, Aurora Booties, C&D Feeds
and
Yukon Brewing
who support all of us in our pursuit of dog sports.

posted by Jessica Simon
yukonwriter@lycos.com

March Pooper Scoop - Redux

2010-03-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

opens March 21 on a screen near you!

Twister - The Movie
sponsored by Optimum Pet Products

Watch Laura chase Jon! Find out what's puzzling Darryl! Untangle the teams! Hear the Bandit break away! Catch Jessie's shoulder check! Any more crazy fast mushers back there? Only Crystal and Gunter, nose to tail!
That's 2010 league champ Tony Radford shouting, over all the banging, "Sled's gonna break I think!"

The snow might have been minus 5, but the air felt like 20 above and the combination made for some of the fastest times of the season. Among the 15 teams entered for the season finale was Jeff Diment with Granpa Campbell's dogs.

Fabian Schmitz represented Team Schweiz. At the bottom of the long hill, coach and trail volunteer Crispin Studer yelled "Run, run!" and "No! Keep running!" when Fabian jumped on the runners too soon.

Maren Bradley took her puppy team out for a training run.
Go puppies!

Kid's 5 K:
Congratulations to former kid's league champs and current Arctic Winter Games champions Rachel and Ben Kinvig. Way to show 'em how it's done!

Following in your footsteps is Erin Spicer, left, readying her team.

Erin won $125 purse and top honours in the 2010 kids' league. Kids interested in a share of the prize can come out next year and get your folks to volunteer for one meet.

Above, our first kid's skijorer, Caelon Pangman, glides into the return loop.

5 k Pet League
Without Asha's stiff competition, Tiramisu took Pippa Lawson on a casual farewell tour for her season finale. Tiramisu finished at the top of the league in the 2010 Pet Class.

Below, Jane Whiteman and Kip enjoyed a beautiful day for a ski. They crossed the finish line smiling and sunburnt.

Thanks to all our sponsors:
Midnight Sun Alpacas, Yukon Elk Antler, Icy Waters, Yukon Honda, Aurora Booties, Yukon Grain Farm, C&D Feeds, First Mate Dog Food and Yukon Agricultural Association

and our mainstay sponsors Yukon Brewing Company

for all the fun we had at your expense.

See you next season!

Video, pictures and words posted by Jessica Simon
yukonwriter@lycos.com

Optimum Pet Products - Season Finale - Results

2010-03-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

A clear blue sky, sun, slight north breeze and -17'C greeted the 21 teams for this year's Season Finale. Overnight temps had dropped to -21'C firming up the well packed trail. The moguls again caused some upsets, but they appear to be training the teams how to handle them - now we can forget all that til next season!

A great change this race saw the turnout of 3 Kid's Skijor teams, great to see, and obviously fast as they beat the 4 dog Kid's team into 3rd.

Tiramasu again dominated the Pet Dog race, beating 2 new challengers, with Asha on the bench with a pulled muscle.

Results:

Kids 5km

1)...Caelon...2 dog skis...10.58

2)...Pelly Braun...2 dog skis...13.32

3)...Erin Spicer...4 dogs sled...15.00

4)...Nora Braun...1 dog skis...27.20

1 Pet Dog 5km

1)...Pippa Lawson...Tiramasu...skis...17.17

2)...Cynthia Corriveau...skis...19.00

3)...Jane Whiteman...skis...30.50

8 mile Twister

(all 5 dog sled unless otherwise stated)

1)...Tony Radford...Drag n Fly...26.12

2)...Jon Lucas...Snowpigs...3 dog skis...29.49

3)...Chrystal Bjartzack...Drag n Fly...31.43

4)...Cynthia Corriveau...2 dog skis...31.44

5)...Trevor Braun...My Dog...3 dog skis...32.14

6)...Darryl Sheepway...Smokin' Paws...3 dog skis...32.24

7)...Laura Jane Lucas...Akeno...35.12

8)...Fabian Schmitz...37.42

9)...Jesse Doherty...Pursuit...39.48

10)...Jeff Diment...Granpa Campbell's...40.20

11)...Claudia Wickert...43.18

12)...Maren Bradley...Pursuit...43.53

13)...Gunter Glaser...Drag n Fly...44.41

14)...Janet Keller...Grizzly Blizzard..56.05

Optimum Pet Products - Race on!

2010-03-20T22:22:00.000-07:00

10 am Sunday at Icy Waters Ltd - Race trail packed this evening, after another inch+ of snow. All looking good.

Optimum Pet Products - Race Trail Looking Good

2010-03-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

An inch of snow fell on the trail today, and was promptly packed down by Jon. This nicely covered up the two recent repair jobs needed when for some unknown reason people decided to drive their cars onto private property, off the ploughed trail, and onto (or very quickly into) the packed trail. D'oh, one driver got a little more response than expected when he asked Jon to "tow him out" (of the CHT Race Trail), a witness described it as a "very choice use of fine words by Mr. Lucas".

It's all good now though, and nicely packed down, all snow and no ice; more packing during the week.

Optimum Pet Products is our new sponsor this Sunday, found at 501 Alexander Street (across 5th from Alpine Bakery, but they don't support us so don't go there, go to the Chocolate Claim instead, who support us winter and summer!), and are purveyors of Akela's Den Supreme Mushing Kibble (55lb bags); NRG, Nupro, Solid Gold, Taste of the Wild. Horizon, and Northern Biscuit products - contact Dave Mockford at 633 3600, or opp@northwestel.net for more info

See you all Sunday, for the season finale!!

Season Finale - OPTIMUM PET PRODUCTS Race Day

2010-03-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

Sunday March 21st - new sponsor OPTIMUM PET PRODUCTS, purveyors of feeds such as Akela's Den dog food, and Nupro electrolyte formula and Glucosamine products for dogs - amongst many others, joins the CHT for this season's finale. With three possible winners of the Twister Copper Trophy in the 8 mile, and neither the Kid's nor the Pet Dog League a certainty and a lot of YUKON BREWING's money to give out on the results , there's everything to race for! As well as Optimum Pet Products' race day $$ and the great merchandise prizes from Midnightsun Alpacas, Yukon Elk Antler, Icy Waters Ltd, Yukon Honda, Aurora Booties, Yukon Grain Farm, C&D Feeds, First Mate Dog Food and Yukon Agriculture Association.

Icy Waters Ltd Race Day - Photos by Nicolas Dory

2010-03-11T18:25:00.000-08:00

Cynthia Corriveau skating to 4th

Alexandra Rochat approaches the final descent with a confident smile...

Looping Kennel's guest monkey Stephanie Routlay working hard

Darryl Sheepway "ahh, not another mogulled downhill?"

Sebastien Tallent, Looping's other guest monkey, charging the final downhill

Jon Lucas "easy fellas, it's that 'orrible downhill"; Tutshi, Bluto, Zamboni "CHARGE!!!"

Jim Hajash, with Skeeter and Sand being sensible

Crispin Studer's poster pack

Icy Waters Ltd Race Day - Results!!

2010-03-07T15:14:00.000-08:00

An unpredicted temp drop to -19'C at 7.45am, led to a -14'C start about 11am this morning for the 21 team turn-out. However a blustery breeze and glorious sunshine soon brought the temperature up. A little snow overnight allowed for at least controlled edging round the corners but the moguls caused everyone trouble, the best way to treat them seemed to be to simply hang on!

Saturday night saw another 4 x4 truck enthusiast drive past and ignore the "No Wheeled Vehicles" City By-law sign and proceed to chew the Kids and Pet Dog 5km loop to pieces. Those races were shortened to 4 km and went off without a further hitch. Why does the City bother making By-laws it won't enforce?

To the Results:

4 km 1Pet Dog, all skijoring

1...Asha the Rottie and Jon Lucas ...14.40

2...Tiramasu and Pippa Lawson...14.49

3...Big Hairy dog and Elizabeth Weigand...15.05

4km Kids Race

1...Alan Mark...4 dog sled...9.59

2...Seth Carey...2 dog sled...10.04

3...Erin Spicer...3 dog sled...11.20

4...Thea Carey...2 dog sled...12.00

8 Mile Twister (all 4 dog sleds unless otherwise noted)

1...Christal Bartczak...Drag 'n' Fly 30.05

2...Jon Lucas...Snowpigs...3 dog skis...30.23

3...Crispin Studer...33.07

4...Cynthia Corriveau...2 dog skis...34.07

5...Ali Pakula...Drag 'n' Fly...36.30

6...Sebastian Tallent...Looping...37.04

7...Alexandra Rochat...37.15

8...Jim Hajash...Drag 'n' Fly...39.03

9...Dave Desmarais...Akeno...39.08

10...Stephanie Routlay...Looping...39.24

11...Amil Dupuis-Rossi...Smokin' Paws...39.53

12...Darryl Sheepway...Smokin' Paws...3 dog skis...40.07

13...Debbie Last...Windy Ridge...42.27

14...Martine Lelevier...Looping...48.45

Thanks to all the volunteers, and sponsors - Midnightsun Alpacas, Yukon Grain Farm, Yukon Elk Antler, Yukon Brewing, Icy Waters Ltd, First Mate Dog Food, Aurora Booties, and C&D Feeds - we couldn't do this without you - so buy their stuff!!

Next race, Mar 21st, same place, same time!!

League Tables with 1 Race to Go!!! (V=Volunteered on 8 mile)

1 Pet Dog

1...Tiramasu & Pippa Lawson...36...V

2...Asha & Jon Lucas...32...V

Kid' Race

1...Erin Spicer...24...V

2...Seth Carey...18...(must get parent to Volunteer and himself race next race)

8 Mile

1...Tony Radford...30...V

2...Jon Lucas...26...V

3...Crispin Studer...20...(must volunteer next race to qualify for league prize)

4...Chrystal Bartczak...18...V

5...Trevor Braun...12...V (presently faster time than Darryl)

6...Darryl Sheepway...12...V

League Prizes from YUKON BREWING

Pet dog and Kid's League: 1st $125, declining in $25 steps to 5th @ $25

8 Mile: 1st $250 + Trophy, declining in $50 steps to 5th @ $50

RACE ON! Icy Waters Ltd Race Day, Sunday March 7th, 10am

2010-03-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

Trail skijored this afternoon - hard packed snow, no ice. Many moguls along the landfill fence; final descent to Haekel Hill road on the way back steep, hard and mogulled - approach with pad down (sled), or with caution on skis (or if you're Jon, with top speed, trust the body armour and bounce down the hill).

Volunteers always welcome and needed - Artic Charr and draw prizes for all volunteers

Many thanks to ICY WATERS LTD for the Cash$$, amd Aurora Booties, C&D Feeds, Yukon Agriculture Association, Yukon Brewing, Yukon Grain Farm, Yukon Elk Antler and Midnightsun Alpacas for the merchandise prizes!

8 mile Twister - sleds 2-4 dogs, skis 2-3 dogs

5 km 1 Pet dog

5 km Kids - 2-4 sleds, 2-3 skis

See you there, Icy Waters Ltd, km 4.2 Fish Lake Rd, 10 am Sunday

Icy Waters Ltd Race day - Sunday March 7th, 10am

2010-03-02T21:41:00.000-08:00

Trail holding up well, all looks good for Sunday; more trail reports to follow in the week as the crash test dummy skijorer checks it out.

Official ROAD RUNNER 100 skijor results in full!

2010-03-02T21:35:00.000-08:00

1...Gaetan Pierrard...5.55 + 3.16 = 9.11

2...Jonathan Lucas...6.27 + 3.18 = 9.45

3...Darryl Sheepway..6.58 + 3.34 = 10.32

Sled results at www.DPSAY.wordpress.com

Thanks to all the volunteers, and sponsors, and cash sponsors Whitehorse Motors, Arctic Backhoe, Icy Waters Ltd., Klondike Dental Clinic; Race Judges Al Pope and Steve Tufford; Race Vets Carolynne Fujda and Helen Eddy.

Next year 200 miles!!

DPSAY RR100 - Unofficial SKIJOR RESULTS!!

2010-03-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

Due to very intelligent people driving wide wheeled vehicles all over the trail (what super fun!!) beyond the Aiseak Bridge the race finished a the Aiseak Bridge parking lot. This was GPS'd at 98.8 miles - "so quite near enough to 100 miles for me" said Jon Lucas.

In the skijoring (or "suicidal crazies" as a number of mushers dubbed them after the fun of the "happy hillock" trail section - aka: is this a cliff I am descending?) class, results as follows:

1st - hard training (and it showed) Gaetan Pierrard, in style in about 9 hours 36 mins; 4 dogs leg 1, 4 dogs leg 2; not really that closely followed by

2nd - Jon Lucas, slightly moist from all the luverly overflow he slipped into, in about 10 hours 12 mins; 4 dogs leg 1; 3 dogs leg 2; and some way off in the distance

3rd - Darryl Sheepway, encrusted in salt from a lot of hard ski-ing, in about 10 hours 52 mins; 4 dogs leg 1, 4 dogs leg2.

Hey, the positions are important (to those three) but the big picture is that a 100 mile skijor race can be a race, and it can be done at speed, those three's overall speeds varied from 9 to 10.2 mph for the whole 98.8 mile race. Well Done!

A huge thanks to the sponsors - Cash!! from Arctic Backhoe, Icy Waters Ltd, Whitehorse Motors, Klondike Dental Clinic, Radio from CKRW, and all the merchandise and food sponsors - thank you for believing in the race, and the DPSAY Board.

Massive thanks to all you volunteers, giving up your time to make this a safe, successful race and letting 21 dogsports enthusiasts show this race works, that skijorers and sleds can mix in mid-distance, and putting a mid-distance race back in Whitehorse. It can't happen without the volunteers - thank you again.

and finally, the DPSAY Board - strained, frayed, tired, but you did it! DPSAY's on the dogsports map! We hope we get some new Board members to add to the "blooded veterans" (that's how it feels!) and do it all again, for 200 miles, next year!

DPSAY's Road Runner Purse tops $6000!!!

2010-02-25T15:39:00.000-08:00

Unofficial - The Board of DPSAY, through the generosity of the sponsors, and a lot of hard work, have set the inaugural ROAD RUNNER 100 purse at >$6000, split across Sled and Skijor classes - more details soon on the DPSAY blogsite!!