Conditions were excellent for the fourth Yukon Brewing Copperhaul Twister of this season.
Sunday’s race day saw a total of 17 entries for the event. The 10.5-mile race saw 13 entries hit the trail to compete for the Special Valentine’s Twister trophy, and there was also a special prize of 10 blocks of frozen fish provided by sponsor Icy Waters Ltd. for the best-dressed team and driver.
Two Whitehorse area sprint kennels showed up and entered a total of five teams, and they dominated the top-five spots.
Drag ‘N’ Fly kennels entered three teams and took the 1st, 3rd and 5th finish places, and Deadbroke Kennels entered two teams and took the 2nd and 4th finish places.
First-place finisher Tony Radford, who completed the course in 34 minutes 15 seconds, was the winner of the Special Valentine’s Twister trophy.
This is the second year in a row the coveted Valentine’s trophy has been won by Radford.
Stefan Wackerhagen was again the fastest skijorer for the third twister in a row, completing the course in 43 minutes 43 seconds.
The kids race saw one entry, a young musher named Genna, who completed the kids/pet loop in a very respectable 12 minutes 48 seconds. Genna was also the musher who was awarded the special Valentine prize for the best-dressed team and driver in Sunday’s event.
The pet dog event had three entries and was won by Cheryl Kawaja, who completed the kids/pet loop in 17 minutes 31 seconds.
Thanks everyone for coming out and, please, keep checking the blogs for updates on the next Twister. Nothing is set in stone, but for the first time ever we may be moving the Twister to a new location for an all new exciting trail.
More updates to follow.
Complete race results
10.5-mile race (All six-dog sleds unless otherwise stated)
Tony Radford 34 min 15 sec
Dave Johnson 35 min 58 sec
Cristel Bartczak 38 min 30 sec
Jon Lucas 39 min 40 sec
Ali Pakula 43 min 00 sec
Stefan Wackerhagen 43 min 43 sec (three-dog skis)
Pierre Duc 46 min 57 sec
Amil Dupuis-Rossi 47 min 58 sec (five-dog sled)
Bryan Alp 54 min 44 sec
Christina Reeve 56 min 03 sec
Kyla Johnson 57 min 20sec (two-dog skis)
Gerry Willomitzer 58 min 20 sec
Matthias Beck 58 min 58 sec
Kids Race
Genna 12 min 48 sec
Pet dogs
Cheryl Kawaja 17 min 31 sec
Kyla Johnson 25 min 10 sec
Robert Sifke 33 min 25 sec