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!

21:30 Thursday Update

Jerry and Stefaan left Stanley for their run to the finish line. Both with 8 good looking dogs. Both teams showed tremendous stamina during this race. Hopefully we see those two teams arriving around 2AM on Friday morning, can be earlier, can be later. Depending on trail conditions.

Kolby had some trouble on the lake coming into stanley Mission but made it and is now resting. Good job bringing them so far allready Kolby!

Billy is on his way to Stanley as well. He is doing great considering he had to drop a few dogs very early in the race. Pretty sure that his Idiatrod experience and knowledge will lead this small team to the finishline as well.

Further in the back, everyone left Lynx Lake CP and are inbound for Grandmothers bay. Signing off from Stanley for now.

16:50 Thursday update

Stefaan is now in Stanley mission. Slightly slower then Gerry Walker who came steaming down the trail but still a very respectable speed and gate! Both mushers will server here their 5 hour mandatory plus start differencial.

All 8 dog teams now arrived at La Ronge, 2012 Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race red lantern winner Dan DiMuzio came in with all 8 dogs. Congratulations to all mushers and dogs. Job well done!

Kolby Morrison is expected to arrive any minute now into Stanley Mission, Bill is resting in Grandmothers Bay. All the other 12 dog mushers are onroute to Lynx Creek CP. More news soon!