North American Championship Sled Dog Race

This is the last sled dog race this year (for me, at least).  It is the longest continually held race, I think, in the world -- but at least in North America.  A Swede won by a 4.5-second margin.  This was the ninth win for Egil Ellis in eleven years.  With this win he beat George Attla's (an Alaskan icon) record of eight wins.  His dogs are a cross between huskies and short-haired pointers he brought to Alaska from Sweden.  He is currently living in Willow, AK.

  

The race begins and ends in Fairbanks, and although there are not as many spectators as for Iditarod, downtown is quite festive.  Below I have focused on the diversity of dogs with photos of  team-mates and portraits.  Since I did not "work" this race I had more time to take photos.  It was a difficult job to make the selection.

Who wouldn't love this dog?

Just out of the chute...

Waiting for the signal...

We can do this...

Getting ready to go...

We are happy to be running side by side...

Let's go already!

I don't know, what do you think?

You want me to do what?

We've done this before, it's no big deal...

Another pair of twins

These dogs belong to Al Stead of Duluth, Minnesota.  His whole team is made up of pure-bred Siberian Huskies.  Even the announcer said they should win the prize for the most beautiful dog team.  Unfortunately, he came in last the first day and had to scratch.  It is strange to think of Siberians as sprinters -- they are slow even in long-distance racing.

This dog really needs no comment except, perhaps, that he would be at home in a Disney movie.

A close-up of dogs coming in after a 20-mile sprint

A near photo-finish for these two teams

Now for a couple of news items.  You have probably heard by now that Mount Redoubt has erupted.  Although the wind is to the north, they say that Fairbanks is not likely to be affected.  They did say, however, that the last time this happened the eruptions continued for 3 to 4 months.  Several flights into and out of Anchorage have already been canceled and it is not clear what this will mean for air travel over the next few months.

Finally, Lance Mackey, in addition to winning the Iditarod, received the award for excellence in dog care.  This award, coveted by mushers, is decided by the vote of all of the veterinarians from the start and finish of the race as well as from all of the checkpoints on the trail.  Mackey also won this award two years ago following the Yukon Quest (which he also won that year).  Lance has said, himself, that he thinks he is part dog.

Topics to be covered in future posts include the International Ice Carving Championships, wildlife outside my window, and more...