Michelle Phillips cruising round the corners12-Mile Copper Haul
A look at the official times of this month's Copper Haul doesn't tell the story volunteers saw at the back of the trail. Terraforming has turned the gravel pits into gravel pyramids that pinch the turnaround loop into a figure eight, a corner of which has a knarly drop with a left leaning camber in a right hand turn - Jonathan's drop-kick corner.
Third place finisher Darrell Sheepway broke trail for everyone in the first race of the season, without falling in the Killer Korner, wobbly though it was. Drew Spicer won fourth place in time but first in style; team and driver in perfect harmony. And then came Jonathan Lucas, who won $80 for falling all over the trail and tangling up the mid-pack mushers behind him. Even Lee Kirkpatrick's attempt at misdirection couldn't keep him from first place.
Third place finisher Darrell Sheepway broke trail for everyone in the first race of the season, without falling in the Killer Korner, wobbly though it was. Drew Spicer won fourth place in time but first in style; team and driver in perfect harmony. And then came Jonathan Lucas, who won $80 for falling all over the trail and tangling up the mid-pack mushers behind him. Even Lee Kirkpatrick's attempt at misdirection couldn't keep him from first place.
Victim of the tangle, Yukon News sports musher Ian Stewart would have finished five minutes ahead of news writer Genesee Keevil, if he didn't have to wait for the ruedel of teams to clear. Only Marine Gastard found advantage when her team scooted past the knot to chase the first free team.
Kirstie Falkevitch won the Lucky 13 bag of FirstMate feed, and Alexie Ducastle won the red lantern, for which we now have a palm-sized red lantern award.
above: Genesee Keevil's wheel dog smiles for the camera below: Linda Lewis enjoys a ski on a sunny morning
Kids 5 km Twister
Although Keegan Hopkins and Jeff Diment's teams sprinted around the five k in good form, Erin Spicer took first, with a team that stormed the barricade in the final loop. Fourth place finisher Haley McCloud wins toughest racer for her tumble on the trail.
top: Haley McCloud nears the final bend
bottom: Keegan Hopkins takes a turnPet Dog 5 km
Asha won $25, for dragging Jonathan's bruised butt around the course in under 20 minutes. Jonathan won the red lantern for falling 100 yards from the finish line, giving Asha a chance to flop down for a snow bath. Somebody please give them competition next month.
posted by Jessica Simon
