The first scheduled Dog Powered Sport Association of the Yukon race was postponed and later cancelled due to poor trail conditions at the start of last month.
It would seem DPSAY made up for it over the holidays.
Mushers and skijorers were treated to a lengthy sprint race at the season-opening Yukon Brewing Twister at Stardog Kennel in Mount Lorne on Dec. 22.
The main races took place on a 15-mile trail, about twice as long as most DPSAY races. There was also a two-mile forest trail through the trees caked with snow for youth and pet divisions.
“We feel really honoured people drove all this way to attend our race and we’re happy the turnout was so great,” said Katherine Sheepway, who was also hosting the event with husband Darryl.
Katherine had another reason to be happy. The skijorer posted the fastest time of anyone on the 15-mile route - including the mushers - completing the journey in one hour, seven minutes and 45 seconds.
“I’m really happy with my dogs because today I was running one veteran and three of our little puppies,” said Katherine. “Three of them are only a year and a half old, so I’m really proud of how they did.”
Cynthia Corriveau placed second for skijorers at 1:14:04 and Virginia Sarrazin third at 1:24:25.
Less than a minute behind Katherine was Luc Tweddell crossing the finish line at 1:08:22 to win the sled division.
“I was actually not supposed to enter the race,” said Tweddell. “I came here for my kids, they want to qualify for the Arctic Winter Games. They each had four dogs and they did the four-mile loop. After that they were back and the race hadn’t started yet, so I entered the race with the same team.
“The trail was awesome. It was a beautiful trail.”
Tweddell, who lives in Mendenhall, raced the Yukon Quest in 2009, placing 14th. He hopes to run it again in a year or two.
“I’d like to enter the Quest again in a couple years,” said Tweddell. “I ran the Quest in 2009 and I finished, I was happy with that. But not being a rookie anymore I know what I’m getting into. Those dogs are going to be part of my team, I hope. They need to see different trails before they enter the Quest.”
Jon Lucas placed second with a time of 1:09:20. Marine Gastard snagged third place for sledders at 1:16:04.
The next DPSAY race is scheduled for Jan 18, 2014 at the Takhini Hot Springs. The event will double as the Arctic Winter Games trials.
Results
Skijoring (15 miles)
1st Katherine Sheepway - 1:07:45
2nd Cynthia Corriveau - 1:14:04
3rd Virginia Sarrazin - 1:24:25
4th Amelie Janin - 1:31:16
5th Adam Robinson - 1:33:50
Sled (15 miles)
1st Luc Tweddell - 1:08:22
2nd Jon Lucas - 1:09:20
3rd Marine Gastard - 1:16:04
4th Michele Staaf - 1:20:41
5th Maren Bradley - 1:21:59
6th Magnus Kaltenborn - 1:23:23
7th Tamra Reynolds - 1:41:15
Youth (two miles)
1st Louve Tweddell - 9:22
2nd Lori Tweddell - 10:21
Rec/pet (two miles)
1st Lynn Cheverie - 14:26
2nd Janet Keller - 19:00
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com