On to the Next!

The annual meeting of the Gateway North Sled Dog Race Association Inc. was held in PA on April 12, with 25 people in attendance. It costs $5 to be a member of the organization; all 25 present signed up, but we will take memberships throughout the year. Just mail $5 to Box 52, Prince Albert, S6V 5R4 or Box 339, Air Ronge, S0J 3G0, with your contact information and email address. It gives you voting rights, keeps you up to date with the race and makes sure you get meeting notifications.

Our board for the 2013 race consists of: President: Gill Gracie; VP John Edwards; Secretary Rob Campbell; Treasurer Bernie Zintel; and directors Linda Caswell, Allan Sheremata, Bart de Marie and Steve Jeffers. Welcome back, John, and welcome to board rookies Bart and Steve! We are going to work right away, with our first board meeting scheduled for May 10.

Topics of discussion at the meeting included:

Media coverage: We had excellent coverage this year, and we thank the media for their interest. We had two or three TV stations, and we showed up on CTV (big-time, thanks to Bryan and the CTV personalities and staff), on Shaw and even on APTN! Plus lots of radio from CBC, MBC, CJVR and others. We hope this will help sell the race to sponsors, since adequate sponsorship remains our major challenge.

Vet seminar: we voted to hold another vet seminar this fall, subject to Ruth’s availability. She’s eager to do it. Stay tuned for a date and agenda once we’ve worked it out with her.

SPOT tracking: Al Sheremata is working with the group that tracks other races to see what we can work out for next year. There are many advantages to having the SPOTS on sleds, including emergency calls and knowing when teams are due into checkpoints so we can get the audience out!

Start lines: The board is considering changing the race format to generate more interest farther down the trail. A format was suggested which met with general approval at the meeting: Continue to start the 12-dog, Open and Junior races in Prince Albert on Tuesday, but start the 8-dog teams in La Ronge in a mass start event on Thursday and run them around the north loop.
This makes for a shorter 8-dog race, but the potential is there for those teams to run the Open race first with 6 dogs and move north for the 8-dog. Or, it could just mean a shorter week for the 8-dog teams. Still under discussion – let us know what you think. One question is how do we handle mandatory attendance at the Musher’s Meeting and Banquet if 8-dog teams don’t start until Thursday? There may also be implications for vet coverage – to be discussed with Ruth.
It was also suggested we allocate some prize money to the Open race. We’re thinking on that too.

Gerry Markel informed us he will not be race marshall next year – for the best possible reason: he’s planning to run the Open race! Thanks to Gerry for his past few years of service. We will be looking for two marshalls for next year, especially if we split the race. Any suggestions, call or email us! (race@canadian challenge.com or aurora@sasktel.net.)

Signage: We are working on some large signs to go in Prince Albert and La Ronge for the six months leading up to the race, featuring the major sponsors.

Fundraising: We will be working the concession at the PA Exhibition again this summer, so stay tuned for calls for help. We will need bodies to cook and serve from noon to 8pm Tuesday-Friday, and 10am – 8pm Saturday. We hope to get a few other dates as well.
The entire volunteer list will be posted on the website shortly, and thanks to every one of them. We couldn’t do it without you!

Photos: We are working to get some photos onto the website, and we are making a CD of all photos of each team, taken by four photographers. Mushers will get those in the next little while. Unfortunately Corinne lost the ones she took at McLennan River (bad data card), but there are lots from the start line and the La Ronge end. Lots for sponsors too!

Again, please call, email or post a comment to this blog if you have questions or suggestions. For us, the race goes all year, and we’re always listening!

Have a good summer
Gill & the Board

Sincere thanks are due to our sponsors, and letters will be prepared. Please note there will be a slight delay as the letter-writer takes some time off in March. It’s not that we’ve forgotten you!
There’s also a plan afoot to prepare a CD of any pictures that were taken of each team by various photographers, so stand by for that. Sponsor letters come first! If you have any pictures you’d like us to include, please send to Gill at the northern office at Box 339, Air Ronge, S0J 3G0, or email to aurora@sasktel.net
The evaluations that came in have given us food for thought in many areas, and the board will be discussing these. Thanks to all for your valuable feedback, and if you haven’t got around to it yet, please feel free to email or fax it in. Since our office will be closed, please use 425-5536 for the fax, and aurora@sasktel for the emails.
Again, watch this spot for the date of the annual meeting, which we will set this coming Wednesday. Be good to have a good crowd there.
Until then, may you have good leaders down the trail of life! (oooh!)

Oopses and bouquets

Race week takes it out of us, and the brain does not necessarily connect with our output devices (like mouth and typing fingers).
Our apologies to Kolby Morrison, whom we omitted to acknowledge as a Quest/Iditarod qualifier. Kolby did indeed run the entire race with no assistance, and will be getting his letter along with the other three. Congratulations, Kolby, and thanks, Sherryl, for the heads-up.
Another omission: I failed to mention the fantastic job Bart did with the website. he managed time updates usually within minutes, and blogged up a storm besides – all while handling for his brother Stefaan. Incredible job, Bart – thanks so much. Bart and Karinna are expecting a baby any day – good luck and congratulations for that! Another new musher coming up.
Keep checking the blog – we’ll be using it much more to communicate with mushers and volunteers.

Another great year!

Well, another one for the record books! The 2012 Canadian Challenge finished in record time – the last 12-dog team was home safe before dark on Friday, well ahead of the Saturday 6 am deadline.
All teams finished this year, which hasn’t happened for a long time, if ever! Many credit this to the new McLennan River checkpoint, which evened out the legs between Elk Ridge and LT’s wilderness checkpoint. The cozy campsite worked well, and unless we have very large rigs, can accommodate most teams. It was a bit tight for the 13 that came through, but it worked.
Congratulations to the winners – Steve Taylor (Open), Elliot Clarke (Junior), Jillian Taylor (8-dog) and Gerry Walker (12-dog. And to all the other participants – well run, everyone.
The highlight this year was how good the dogs looked crossing the finish line – tails wagging and smiles on their faces – many of them still ready for more! Credit to our dynamic vet team of Ruth Sims, Kate Robinson and Katie Lee – nothing but good comments from mushers about the professionalism of the vets. Ruth even received a SuperVet award at the breakfast, a cartoon drawn by Kate of Ruth in full cape!
We did have a few glitches – a localized storm on Montreal Lake wiped out the trail about three hours after it was set, and one checkpoint was inadvertently left without officials late one night. We apologize to the mushers who came in during that time, and thanks to the journalism students who helped out in getting the dogs back to their box. And apologies to all for any other inconveniences and errors, starting with the wrong-order bib drawing at the banquet. Thanks for your indulgence in letting it ride as was called. And thanks to Corinne Sheremata and Tom Roberts for ably MCing the banquet and breakfast respectively.
The La Ronge checkpoint was a little inconvenient this year, being in two locations divided by a large building; we will remedy that for next year, and try to have it all on the side with better shelter.
Some fun at the finish when Sid came in – Stefaan stood by the finish line carrying the red lantern, traditionally given to the last place finisher. With a straight face, he told Sid that Dave Daley, whom Sid believed to be behind him, had scratched at Sucker River and that Sid had earned yet another red lantern to add to his collection. The expression on Sid’s face was priceless – his jaw just dropped – but Stefaan eventually came clean and everyone had a good laugh.
David arrived shortly afterwards, just pumped about the race and the good time he had.
Congratulations to Randy McKenzie, Christina Traverse and David Daley for completing the race without handler assistance in order to quality for the Iditarod and Yukon Quest.
All in all, apart from sleep deprivation, a good time was had by all.
We did pass out evaulations at the awards breakfast, but did not get all of them back. If mushers, handlers or volunteers would still like to comment, please email aurora@sasktel.net and I’ll send one out to you.
If anyone found a headlamp, it’s probably board member Linda Caswell’s. She lost her good headlamp somewhere along the line. If you have it, please call her at 306-883-8833.
Our organization’s annual meeting will be held sometime in April, date to be announced. We charge a $5 membership, and at least four board positions will be up for election. We encourage everyone to come and be part of the meeting. We are looking for some younger people with computer and people skills to run for the board; our current generation cannot carry on for ever and we need new blood to get up to speed to take over. Think about it.
Thanks to Gateway Mall for lending us office space at no charge for the past many years. We have our eviction notice as of the end of March and will be looking for a place to set up again come fall. In the meantime the phone will be disconnected for the summer. Call 306-425-3826 or email aurora@sasktel.net for information during that time.
And we hope to have some concessions again this summer at various event sat the PA Exhibition, so if you live anywhere in the area, stand by to be asked to help.
If I think of anything else, I’ll blog some more!
Thanks to the board, the volunteers, the vets, and trail crew, the mushers and handlers for another great race.
Gill
Race coordinator

David Daley comes in 8th!

David Daley came in as 8th musher for the 2012 12dog Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race. David had the honor to blow out the red lantern as last musher on the trail. Sid Robinson, who won a few red lanterns himself, welcomed David and handed him the red latern. David and the dogs were in good spirits. Well hydrated dogs, a sign of good dog care!

With that the Canadian Challenge 2012 comes to a close. All 20 teams from all categories finished the Canadian Challenge. A major sign that this race is growing and improving year by year. Thank you for all the people involved for this years race and we hope to welcome you all next year again.

Randy, Christina and Sid in Lar Ronge

Randy and Christina came in shortly after 5.20PM finishing 5th and 6th. Randy and Christina ran this as a qualifier for the Yukon Quest and Iditarod. Both teams looked good coming an. Spectators welcomed the two mushers from Alberta with open arms.

not even a half an hour later, Sid came flying in with his 11 dogs. Sid was happy he did not receive the red latern this year. But when he crossed the finish line, Stefaan De Marie pulled a trick on him by telling him he was the last musher in. In disbelieve, Sid shook his head and shouted “oh no!”. Soon after he realized Stefaan was just joking and we all had a good laugh.

It is nice for all of us to see those teams coming in in high spirits and reflect the true northern spirit of dog mushing. Friends sharing an incredible experience. Definately one for the books!

Congratulations Randy, Christine and Sid. Enjoy your well diserved rest!

Billy Snodgrass comes in 4th

Billy came in this morning with 7 dogs. After seeing his team being reduced to 8 early in the race, Bill managed to keep a core 8 going from LT’s on. Well done Billy!

All the remaining mushers have left Stanley Mission and are now on their way to the finish line. This means that all mushers from all catagories (12 dog, 8 dog, open and junior) made the finish line. The race is really proud we could get all teams so far. A big thank you to the entire support staff (dogs, handlers, mushers, volunteers, officials, vets and supporters for accomplishing this amazing race to a good end. This has been a year to put in the record books. Fastest finish, all teams finished! Thank you all.

Will keep you posted all the way till the last musher is in!

Kolby takes 3rd place

Kolby just pulled in surprizing us all. Somehow we thought the next team was not due until late morning around 11 AM. But at 9.19AM this morning, Kolby and 9 wagging tails stood there to be checked in. Kolby does as good as 2008 when he also finished 3rd place. Congratulations Kolby. Kolby ran his race as a qualifier, meaning he took care of his dogs all by himself with no outside assistance (except vets that monitor the wellbeing of the dogs).

All mushers left Grandmothers Bay as well.

2012 12 dog Canadian Challenge 2nd place goes to Stefaan De Marie

Stefaan came into the finish line at 2.43. Stefaan, who lead the race at the first half of the race, came in strong with 8 waggin tails. Unfortunately, Stefaan lost his few hours lead due to blown in trail at Montreal Lake. His leaders had trouble following the markers and lost over 2.5 hours, causing the pack to regroup in LT’s. From there, it was a race about speed to the finish line. It was sure nice to see from a spectator point of view how both teams were doing their best to gain the lead. Can it get any better than that?!
Congratulations Stefaan on your second place!
We also know now that Sid is the only one left at Grandmothers Bay. I spook briefly to him on the intercom and he mentioned that he was about to leave Grandmothers bay soon. Stanley Mission reported that also Kolby Morrison has left the CP and is heading his way to the finish line. Billy Snodrass his mandatory layover has almost passed and also he will work his way to the finish line soon. There are two head lights spotted on the Lake coming into Stanley Mission. This should be Randy and Christina. They should arrive in the next half an hour. Also Dan is on his way to Stanley. More updates soon!

12 dog Canadian Challenge champion is Gerry Walker

Jerry Walker pulled in at 1.25am this morning. To my knowledge a record time. He commented that the trail was nice overall in his last run. Jerry and his 8 happy dogs win this Challenge for the tirth time.

Jerry moved up the standings after the whiteout on Montreal Lake earlier this week and thus took over the lead from Stefaan De Marie who had, just like Randy and Christina trouble passing this stretch. Jerry then maintained steady fast runs which helped him widening the gap between him and Stefaan, running second position at this moment. I am sure it is nice to see a team like this come together. A well executed race plan Jerry, congratulations!