Iditarod 07-08-09 Champion

Well was there any doubt that this was going to happen..... maybe from the other racers.

Great job Lance Mackey Champion again.

Iditarod 2009

I was talking with my dogsleddn facebook buddy Kiara about this years Iditarod. As Canadians of course we started going with Canadians. She was going for Aaron Peck and I was hoping for adopted Canadian Hans Gatt. Both of us knew inside that we should say that "LM"was the man and no more said.

But as Canadians we like to see others win, vote for new comers and underdogs, but inside we should of just said "LM" and no more said. As we got to the end of our conversation she thought Jeff King would do well and learned many new lessons from "LM" from last year-No sleeping on the job with "LM" around. I always hope for personal favorite Martin Buser- always smiling.

Well as it gets closer to the end it looks like "LM" is making them all work hard not to come second for the third year in a row.

Just before Kiara and I logged off we said "Lance Mackey is the man enough said".

After seeing this picture I will always go for Lance. It reminds me of myself at the Norland race just outside of Minden,Ontario. We had to run through a farmers field and the cows- yes cows, were suppose to be in the barn. As I turn into the field there she was a big fat cow in the middle of the trail. My lead dog Tyler thought he could take her so he headed right for her. I set my snow hook -(actually the only time I can remember setting my snow hook during a race as a sprint racer)-and I ran over to the cow. See wasn't going to move so I wacked her in the nose with my snubb line and the quick release clip landed in the perfect spot and she ran off. I crapped my pants and finished the race. Okay it's not the same a moose but who cares.

Go Lance Mackey Go!!!!!!!

Kortright 2009 Challenge Results.

The Challenge this weekend was to get the second day heats in before there was to much heat. Sunday was plus 6 at one point but our trail stood strong. Well it did weep in one area but only for about 12 feet. Other than that lots of fun, lots of spectators and lots of siberian husky 4 dog teams (18). This picture shows my physical ability on Saturday by the time it was my turn to race ZZZZZZZZ. Thanks Peter for catching me a sleep at the wheel. It's not really true Kathy and Robert I think it was a cat nap.
Well, here our the results I have everyones full name in the car and I'll add them soon.

3-dog race

1)Barry Cull-35:47.52 2)Colleen Heibein-35:59.82

3)Kathy Henry-Kilbreath 4)Laurel Turansky-38:15.24

5)Cherie McCallum-40:07.21 6)Daryl Schuler-53:52.49

7)Bailey Moffat-56:59.37 8)Vicky Hailey-OT (Sunday)

9) Renata Sauder-DNF (Sunday)

Cut of time-45:41.81

4-dog race

1)Laurel Turansky-32:48.09 2)Barry Cull-32:52.34

3)Michelle Redstone-34:24.06 4)Kathy Henry-Kilbreath-34:57.04

5)Joel Jamieson-36:07.15 6) Cheri McCallum-36:11.68

7)colleen Heibein-36:23.66 8)Walter Grohman-36:35.68

9)Janate Cooper -37:19.88 10)David Jolette-38:06.93

11)Daryl Schuler-39:59.21 12)Marilyn Graf -40:38.14

13)Dana Cranstone-41:02.64 14)Riley O'Connor-42:57.59

15)Jason Quinlan-46:31.03 16)Jason Quinlan-49:46.21

17)Mike Murphy-53:07.51 18)Marilyn Graf-56:44.67

Cut off time-41:41.87.

Kortright Challenge 2009 Pictures from the weekend.

Here are some pictures from this weekend at the Kortright race. I've tried to forward as many as I can and if I get more I'll send them along. I've talk to pretty much everyone and everyone loved the trail. This is the trail I will keep from now on and now it's up to the weather.

Saturday the weather was perfect for the dogs minus 14 but with the wind it was quite cold. At one time my eye frooze shut.

We managed to sneek it in on Sunday with the tempature getting up to plus 6 the last time I checked. The trail held it's own except for that one sloppy spot on the third field.

This was the greatest Kortright in the ten years. 9- 3 dog teams and 18-4 dog teams.

WOW the siberian teams were out and ready to go.

I will be putting the results on the blog, SHCC and sleddogcentral.com on Wednesday.

Thanks to Everyone who made it out. If there is a picture from this years race of you on my blog click on it and steal it. I managed to get 1 of me and I'll save it for the results page as it suited me for the weekend. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. I love it.....

Kortright Race-Is a Siberian Husky Race

Kortright Race is just 1 week away. Still lots of work to be done but a lot can't be completed until Thursday and Friday as the Kortright Centre is open to the public. Just a reminder that this is a Siberian Husky Race put on by the Siberian Husky Club of Canada Southern/Central Area.

The Kortright Centre is just off the 400 hwy. Get off at the Canada's Wonderland exit and head west. Go 5 minutes west of the 400 to Pinevalley Rd with large green wolf signs to the Centre.

Racers can arrive at 8:30am to get a spot for their truck -all are quite good for racers to get their sleds and dogs to the start line. If there any other questions please email me at

dogsleddn@hotmail.com

There is a racers enterence just North of the main enterence. A private rd. that will lead right down to the start line of the race.

I will have a sign there "for racers only"

There are many Hotels/Motels in the area but it seems that the best priced is the Vaughn Inn. It is only about 10 minutes from the race. (905-851-3831)

Kortright Challenge-SHCC 4 mile race

Kortright Challenge just two weekends away.

Jan.31 & Feb.01, 2009.

Lots of work still to be done but most of it will be done the week before. Peter French (race marshall) will take a look at my trail on Tuesday January 27,2009. Friday the straw bails will go out and we will be ready to race on Saturday and Sunday.

The Kortright Trail is a 4 mile loop starting off running around three flat loops and up and down a couple of the Kortright Valleys and finishing with a flat round and about way to the finish. It is quite exciting, the dogs can run all out in the flats and the driver and the team need to work together in the valleys.

Racers can arrive at 8:30 am to get settled in. Drivers meeting and bib draw at 10am but usually 10:30am. Spectators can enter the park at 10 am so we can't start the race until after that which is usually 11:15am starting with the three dog class. Lunch for racers and hopefully the four dog class can run after 1pm. Thomas Pride and windrift kennels will be there to give rides for adults and kids so there should be lots of fun. I have mentioned to some beginners and individuals with a few dogs that at the end of the two races they could run around the mile loop or around the 4 mile trail if they would like. There is a lot of spectators usually at Kortright so the more teams they get to see the better. If racers has more dogs than the two classes and wish to run their others, let me know so we can co-ordinate that the best way possible. Hope to see everyone soon.

If you have any questions please email me at dogsleddn@hotmail.com

I will send a list of hotels/motels in the area next week as the list is at work.

Go- Kathy & Robert- Go "WORLD'S WOW"

I just wanted to wish my friends Robert and Kathy Kilbreath all the best at The IFSS World Championships in Daaquam Quebec on January 17 to the 24, 2009.

Kathy will be running in the 4 dog sprint event and the 2 dog skijoring class. I think they might be in the relay race as well but I am not sure about that. Click on the picture and you can really get a good look at katthy and the team coming out of the forest at Kortright

Good luck to you and your Siberian Huskies!!!!!

Feel free to leave them a comment on my blog and I will get it to them before the race.

What's The Difference

What's the difference between boys and girls.

Little girls want to be like their dad and boys want to steal their dad's truck to meet little girls.

(both are still in training).

Hope to have this picture of my daughter with her truck, sled and trailer on www.sleddogcentral.com/

I quess we'll see????????

Kortright Race Jan.31/Feb.01,2009

Well, I am going to put the Kortright Challenge on again this year.

Lets hope there is enough snow this year and at the right time so I can get the trail in.The race will be on Jan.31 and Feb.01,2009.

It will be the same trail as last year that no one got to run on except me -sorry.

It was a thing of beauty. Very similar route to the 2007 trail but smoothed out even more.

Jim Rossiter ran 6 hounds on this trail on the Sunday and Sean Burns ran 4 hounds on it the year before.It is a 4 mille loop trail. The only loop part about it is that it has no head on passing.

There will be two classes- 4 dog and 3 dog- same as before. Beginners can run on the 1 mlie loop at the end of the two races.

I haven't heard from my marshall yet but it's early. I need two timers so I will be looking for some volunteers.

Well that's all I can think of right now so I'll let you know as we go.

Keep your eyes on the trail.

Q:What are the commands you may need to know for the Kortright Trail???

A:Gee- Gee- Haw- Haw- Gee- gee- haw -gee- gee- haw -easy now- haw- gee -gee- on by

up-lets go-(two miles to go) haw- haw- easy-easy now-truck- truck- Good girls .

Exercise: now for any of you that have run this trail before think about the start line and follow my commands in your head. Did you make it to the finish line.

(When I ran Jim's hounds around I think I just said oh shit a few times).

Fall is in the air

Geronimo can smell the cool air of fall moving in. The dogs are in perfect weight to start training.

Weather is expected to be +20 for Thanks Giving so I'll hang in there.

Sasha is 7 turning 8 in 2009 so it's time those pups learn to run lead.

Cochise is showing promise as a lead and she has submitted to Sasha so they do need to fiqure that out. Best thing to do would get both those pups running lead and bum a few more dogs at the race. Take the pressure off sasha.

So, it's my birthday?? I feel like I did yesterday.

In my own opinion, I'm feeling 25- looking 29- skating like I'm 18 and walking the next day like I'm 69. That old knee has taking some abuse over the years (skating and sledding-not the golf though!). Uwe Kruppe did say sledding was a non strenuous sport. NHL didn't agree with him nor did my knee.
I do think my mid area is looking 43.

Hoping my young pups can drag me around with some direction from Sasha so that I don't have to run too much this year (thinking of that final uphill at Kortright!!??).
I remember racing at Copeland forest, thinking I was doing pretty well. I was working my tail off and then Tom Illiffe passed me in the catchers position smoking a cigar. I chased him for about 200 yards before he and his team were out of site. In better times I remember passing Jason Miller with 3 show dogs and shelby. I was running on foot, full out until my sled caught up to me and I jumped on-Fly bye technique. My worst moment was running up the hill at Trillium Trails at the Canadian Championships in Port Perry. I was so tired that when it was time to head down the hill I could hardly keep the sled straight.
Anyways out for wings,beer and cake tonight. It shouldn't affect me especially on this day.

Thanks to Robert and Kathy Kilbreath for the pictures. This is Kathy at Haliburton (FLYING)and a picture of their newest members. I might need to borrow a few dogs from you if you keep this up.

Happy Canada Day 2008

Well, I hope everyone had a good day on Canada Day.

The kids had fun down at The Bronte Canada Festival. Sliding, jumping, flags, ice cream and tons of people. Then we came home and decorated our house. How Canadian, dog sleds and flags. Here is Natalie and Matthew getting a ride from Yuke and Blacky.

Later, I had a few beers"what else on Canada Day, eh" with Curtis sitting on the front lawn in the dog sleds. Even a biker driving by had to take a second look. I'm sure he wasn't use to not being the main attraction (double negitive thing). Curtis's wife Venessa took this picture of us from across the street (didn't want to be seen with us-just kiddn).

I need some new pictures of my dogs on the blog-They are really maturing into the racing machiens cheins I thought they would.

If you would like to have your team on the blog email pictures and info/names to dogsleddn@hotmail.com for July's blog post

Aug. 2008 will be licence plate month email me pics of any interesting dog sledding related plates.

Gas prices gone to the dogs

Well with the price of gas these days I had to come up with a new plan for the PT Cruizer. The hitch is in the front now. This will save me thousands. Glad I never bought that Duelly. I would of needed a few more dogs.

All the snow has finally melted and I guess it's time to get the clubs out. 21 degrees on Friday.

In Like A LION

Well, Wednesday a storm came through and it was starting to melt. Great for snowmen and forts.
Saturday night over 18 inches had to of fallen and left us with a beautiful sparkling morning. I had to shovel twice on Saturday and once on Sunday. After shovelling the banks are now 3-4 feet high. Staying positive though. Pt Cruiser in deep.
Lets hope it doesn't melt to fast and flood us out. March break for the kids always fun with 2 feet of snow.

Kortright Race CANCELLED

Well the snow really came too late to get this this race off the ground so to say... Even if we get all the snow expected there is no time to cut a trail in time for Saturday. At this time in the storm I can't even get to Kortright. That's not even the real problem. The melting of the December snow and the warm weather of last week has caused the stream at the bottom of my trail to melt. I checked with Kortright this morning to see if we could get around that bridge with the snowmobile and we CANNOT. That ended any chance of running this weekend. Hopefully a fun run in the future if people are interested. I'll watch the weather and check the trail. We could throw a fun race together possibley.
Sorry, I felt I could put something together even for fun but it won't work out.
from the horses mouth.
Joel

A light dusting -No way near.

Well some snow has fallen. I almost shoveled my driveway but didn't feel that the little amount that was there was worth my attention. I spoke with Kortright as they are a little more north than me and they were excited with the snow. It is no way enough to even think about a racing trail.
I would run there but I have run at York Regional forest after a cm had fallen, enough to cover the sand. We need wayyyy more.
The girls were happy to see it but wasn't enough for a lap around the block.

Oh No!!!! +14 degrees.

That is some nasty dog sledding weather here in Burlington and Southern Ontario (plus 14).
It is getting cooler but the damage is done.
We are down to the grass/mud.
Not a flake in site. Son of a gun!!!!
I'll keep you posted on the Kortright trail.

Heading in for some indoor winter sports I guess?????

Merry Christmas and Happy dogsleddn 2008.

Hope all my dogsleddn friends and their four legged friends get lots of snow and a hard packed trail for Christmas. We'll be seeing you soon out on the trail but until then have a save holiday. Kortright Feb.2/3,2008.
Here is my Sasha talking to the PT team during a photo shoot at the Wasaga Beach Race a few years ago.
NO SIGN OF RACES IN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS of JANUARY UNLESS WE HEAD TO THE STATES AT THIS POINT IN TIME?????
A special thanks to Jasmine for all the pictures this year. They really help my blog.

Race Schedule-Sibes and Open

Here are some important Race dates for Siberian Sprints for 2008. Ontario

Jan.26/27/08 Haliburton Highlands.-Sibe Class in the previous years
Feb.2/3/08 Kortright Centre- Siberian Race 3 and 4 dog *4 miles
Feb.9/10/08 Kearny- Sibe Class now.
Feb23/24/08 Cannington- Open(good Sibe group)
March1/08 Apsley Winterfest-Open
March 1/2/08 Markstay-Warren Challenge the Champ

**Marmora and Bancroft not on www.sleddogcentral.com

bad breeding

Well, the first time since as long as I can remember we have had an early snow fall.
Hopefully it will keep coming and we will have a successful race season.
My trails are snow and ice and I can not run on rig or sled but I am enthusiastic.
One other problem is this new lead dog has heavy feet. He runs like an elephant.
His dad seemed so strong and bull headed. I might have to stop this breeding line.

The Kortright race will be held on February 2-3, 2008 this year.
I hope to have all the mailrun people out this year,The Western Ont. Area, The Eastern Ont. Area and as many others as possible. Maybe our friend bi-coastal Dan from BC will show up with his Nova Scotia plates.
Talk with you soon.