News release, 30 December 2003
For more information, contact the Alaska
Dog Mushers Association, (907) 457-6874.
Annamaet Challenge Series Race #3, January 4, 2004
sponsored by Prospector Outfitters
Fairbanks, Alaska—The Annamaet Petfoods Sled Dog Challenge Series resumes on Sunday, January 4th, at the Jeff Studdert race grounds on Farmers Loop Road in Fairbanks. Classes will include 1-dog, 2-dog, and 3-dog skijoring; and 4-dog, 6-dog, 8-dog, and Open (unlimited) sled classes. The race gets underway with skijoring at 10:30 a.m.
Sign up for the race will be held at the Mushers Hall on Farmers Loop on Wednesday, December 31, from 6:45-7:15 p.m., followed by the draw. Since it's New Year's Eve, the draw will be held immediately after the sign up, and will be finished no later than 8 p.m. Come early to sign up to avoid the post entry fee.
This Annamaet Challenge Series race is sponsored by Prospector Outfitters. Competitors will be vying not only for Challenge Series championship points, but also for gift certificates from The Prospector. $100 each in gift certificates will go to the skijoring and 4-dog classes, $200 to the 6-dog, $300 to the 8-dog, and $400 to the Open class. Prizes will be given to the top 4 finishers in each of the sled classes, and the winner and runner-up in each of the skijoring divisions.
The distances for each class are:
Skijoring (1, 2, 3-dog): 4.5 miles
4-dog: 4.5 miles
6-dog: 5.9 miles
8-dog: 10.6 miles
Open: 13.6 miles
(note: there are no more mid-distance races this season)
The AARP-sponsored division for older 4-dog teams will again be run in conjunction with the 4-dog class. You can designate your 4-dog team as an AARP team at the draw or the day of the race.
Entry fees are $6 for skijoring and 4-dog, $8 for 6-dog, $14 for 8-dog, and $18 for Open.
If you can't make the Wednesday meeting, you can have someone sign you up and pay your entry fee, or phone in your entry at 457-MUSH between 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. the night of the draw. You must buy or renew your membership to race, and no entries will be accepted without an entry fee. Late entries will be accepted the day of the race, for an additional $5 fee.
The temperature cutoff for the race will be -25 F or below, determined at 9 a.m. Sunday by calling the weather line at 452-3553.
For those training on the ADMA trails or wanting to support our trail grooming efforts, annual trail passes are available for sale for $50 at the draw or the race.
Competitors in the Annamaet Challenge Series will be vying for the 2004 Points Champion awards. Points in each race are awarded as follows: 1st place - 5 points; 2nd place - 4 points; 3rd place - 3 points; 4th place - 2 points; 5th place and all finishers - 1 point. For each class, the dog driver with the most cumulative points from all the Challenge Series races this season is awarded the Points Champion trophy. Competitors aren't required to race in every Challenge Series race to qualify for Points Champion.
If you wish to thank the Prospector for their support, you can write to:
Prospector Outfitters
c/o Steve Neumuth Advertising
3542 International Way
Fairbanks AK 99701
Just as important, show your support by using the $5 coupons to Prospector that have been available at the Mushers Hall. Each one that is redeemed shows them that ADMA members are indeed doing business there, and will help us continue to draw quality sponsors.
For more information, including race rules and procedures, and a complete schedule of events, visit our website at sleddog.org, or call 457-MUSH.