ASPA Fun Race Results, 2007-2008 Season

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Fun Race #1, North Star Golf Course, 11/25/2007

by Pat DeRuyter

North Star Golf Club hosted the first ASPA Fun Race of the 2007-2008 season. The trails were hard and fast, but surprisingly good considering the lack of snow and warm weather this past week.

Twenty-one teams took to the trails with triple winner Andy Seitz leading the field. The largest field was the 4-mile, 2-dog class with 9 competitors. Andy Seitz with Yeller and Waylon won with a time of 13:47. Jessie Warwick with Zip and Licorice came in second at 14:34 and Carol Kleckner with Robin and Jazz rounded out the top three at 15:38.

Andy completed his "hat trick" with wins in the 2-dog, 2 mile event (Ed and Mabel at 7:16) and 1-dog 2 mile event with Willie at 7:59. Andy's day was not without adversity as he lost a ski pole at the one mile mark in his second race and finished with only one ski pole. Amanda Byrd with Rupert and Vince came in second in the 2-mile 2 dog event and Lisa Stuby and Killae finished second in the 2-mile 1 dog event.

There were 5 competitors in the 4-mile 1 dog class. Mike Kramer with Decoy came in first with a time of 18:14. Wallace Bandeff and Finny were second at 19:54 and Gail Davidson and Tobi finished third at 22:36.

Sara Elzey with Chert, Millie and Misty won the 4-mile 3 dog class in a time of 15:03. John Schauer with Tsaine, Riley and Willow were second at 15:47 and Don Kiely with Daikon, Chance and Casper were third at 16:47.

Thanks to the following volunteers for making this race possible: Race director and timer: Andy Warwick, Timers: Laurie Hueffer and John Hallsten, Starter and trail groomer: Pat DeRuyter and Roger and Melinda Evans for the use of the North Star Golf Course.

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Fun Race #2, North Star Golf Course, 12/15/2007

by Andy Warwick

North Star Golf Club hosted the second Alaska Skijor & Pulk Association Fun Race of the 2007-2008 season. Temperatures were ideal for the dogs and the trails were excellent from the recent snow. Twenty-six teams took to the trails with Kriya Dunlop leading the 4-mile, 2-dog class with a time of 12:42. Greg Jurek was only twelve seconds behind in second place with 12:54, and Scott Campbell in third place only 16 seconds out with 12:58.

Jesse Warwick led the 4-mile 3-dog class with a time of 13:49. Carol Kleckner was second in at 14:18 and Sara Elzey third with a time of 14:52.

Greg Jurek obliterated the field in the 4-mile 1-dog with a time of 14:59. Gail Davidson was second with 25:39 followed by Jim Altherr at 30:38.

Kimberly Beckman won the 2-mile 1-dog event with a time of 9:48. Close behind her was Nina Ruckhaus with 9:54. Jarrod Decker was third with a time of 10:58.

Winning the 2-mile 2-dog race was Sara Elzey with a time of 7:34, followed closely by Peggy Raybeck at 7:39 and Jesse Warwick in at 10:04.

Thanks to the following volunteers for making this race possible: Race director and timer: Andy Warwick, Registrars and Results: Chad Carroll and Don Kiely, Timer: Judy Warwick and Camilla Lieske, Starter and trail groomer: Pat DeRuyter, and Roger and Melinda Evans for the use of the North Star Golf Course.

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Fun Race #3, North Star Golf Course, 12/26/2007

by Andy Warwick

North Star Golf Club hosted the third Alaska Skijor & Pulk Association Fun Race of the 2007-2008 season. Temperatures were chilly for the humans but ideal for the dogs and the trails were excellent from the recent dusting. Seventeen teams took to the trails with Brian Charlton leading the 6-mile, 3-dog class with a time of 19:32. Chad Carroll was second with a time of 22:04 and Emily Bernhardt third at 22:12. Greg Jurek, running two dogs had a time in the 6-mile event of 20:07. Wallace Bandeff, running one dog came in with a time of 28:47.

In the 3-dog, four mile Carol Kleckner placed first with a time of 13:53, followed by Karl Schauer at 14:34 and Sara Elzey at 14:54.

Peggy Raybeck took top honors in the 2-dog, four mile event with a time of 15:04 with Wes Graf second at 15:45 and Doreen McNeill third at 17:01.

The 1-dog, four mile event was won by Kimberlee Beckman with a time of 19:32 followed by Laurie Hueffer at 20:42 and Gail Davidson at 24:53.

Nina Ruckhaus was the only entrant in the 1-dog, two mile with a time of 10:42.

Thanks to the following volunteers for making this race possible: Race director and Starter: Andy Warwick; Registrar: Peggy Raybeck; Timers: Judy Warwick, Curtis McNeil, Janet Bandeff, John Schauer, Paula Ruckhaus; Trail Groomer: Pat DeRuyter. And a big thanks to Roger and Melinda Evans for the use of the North Star Golf Course.

The next ASPA race event is scheduled for January 6th at Creamers field, pending trail conditions.

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Fun Race #4, North Star Golf Course, 1/6/2008

by Andy Warwick

North Star Golf Club hosted the fourth Alaska Skijor & Pulk Association Fun Race of the 2007-2008 season. Temperature was +5; relatively balmy. The trails were excellent from recent snow and Pat DeRuyter's grooming. Eighteen teams took to the trails and the results are below.

Thanks to the following volunteers for making this race possible: Race director: Andy Warwick, registrar and timer: Wallace Bandeff, trail groomer and starter: Pat DeRuyter, and again Roger and Melinda Evans for the use of the North Star Golf Course.

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Fun Race #5, Creamer's Field, 2/2/2008

by Pat DeRuyter

Twenty-two skijorers braved the -10 degree weather to participate in the ASPA sponsored Fun Race #5 held at Creamer's Field on Saturday, Feb 2, 2008. The moose that was wandering down the skijor trail in the East field at the 10am trail check had disappeared into the woods by race time.

Andy Warwick and Andy Seitz were both double winners. Andy Warwick won the 3-dog 5.6 mile race in a time of 20:38 with dogs Zip, Boots and Licorice and Andy won the 1.4 mile 2-dog race with Blue and Lady at 6:29.

Andy Seitz won the 2-dog 5.6 mile race with Waylon and Yeller with the best time of the day for that distance of 20:05. He won the 3.6 mile 1-dog event with Willie at 13:59.

Peggy Raybeck came in second in the 5.6 mile 2-dog evnt with Macey and Carmen. Kimberlee Beckmen with Iris and Terri was third with a time of 25:37.

Wallace Bandiff with Finny wan the 1-dog 5.6 mile event with a time of 26:40. Julie Morse with Caz at 37:05 was second and Gail Davidson with Toby was third at 45:43.

In the 3.6 mile event, John Schauer with Willow, Tsaina and Riley won the three dog event at 14:16. Nina Ruckhous with Tracker and Sam won the two dog event with a time of 18:35. Following Andy Seitz's first place finish in the 1-dog class was Bruce Miller and Roy at 15:55 for second and Nina Ruckhaus and Tracker at 20:13 for third.

Peggy Raybeck came in first in the 2.7 mile 2-dog event with Charlie and Tracker with a time of 10:03. Janna Miller with Roy and Lilly was second at 14:26. Ted Wu with Ty won the 1-dog class at 18:52 with Lisa Stuby and Killae finishing second at 27:43.

Nina Ruckhaus with her two dog, 3.6 mile team provided some head-on training for the rest of the field as she missed the first turn and completed the course backwards. Thanks to Lisa Stuby for stopping and picking up the hat she lost in one of her tangles.

Thank you to the ASPA trail groomers Peggy Raybeck and Mike Supkis for the trail work this week. Thanks to Pat DeRuyter, Janet Bandeff, Judy Warwick and Kimberlee Beckmen for volunteering at this race. Thanks to the Friends of Creamer's Field for the use of the Creamer's Farmhouse visitors center.

Fun Race #6, Creamer's Field, 3/5/2008

by Andy Warwick

The Alaska Skijor & Pulk Association's sixth fun race of the 2007-2008 season took place Wednesday at 6:00PM at Creamer's field. Temperature was 35 above, too hot for the dogs, but perfect for the timers and volunteers. The trails were excellent shape having been recently groomed by Pat DeRuyter and Carol Kleckner. Sixteen teams took to the trails and the results are below.

Thanks to the following volunteers for making this race possible: Race director and starter: Andy Warwick, registrar: Lisa Stuby, timers: Peggy Raybeck and Janet Bandeff.

Fun Race #7, North Star, 3/29/2008

by Pat DeRuyter

The Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association held its last Fun Race of the Season at North Star Golf Club on Saturday, March 29, 2008. The near perfect trail conditions and weather led to five new season records and well as a record field of 40 participants.

The largest field of the day was the 4 mile 1-dog class. Bruce Miller and Roy led the field of 10 teams with a winning time of 15:18. Wallace Bandeff (Finny) was second at 17:01 followed by Adam Verrier with a borrowed dog, Chico at 17:03. Christy Gleason (Kogosay) at 19:51 and Ted Wu (Ty) at 19:50 rounded out the top five teams.

Peggy Raybeck with Masey and Carmen won the 4 mile 2-dog class with a time of 14:40. Amanda Byrd with Rupert and Jolene were second at 15:11 followed by Laurie Heuffer (Addie and Pence) at 15:47.

Jessie Warwick (Zip, Boots and Licorice) was only 2 seconds off his own season rercord for the 4 mile 3-dog class with a winning time of 13:51. Sara Elzey (Ayla, Millie,Robin) was second only 8 seconds back. Carol Kleckner (Jazz, BB, Jenny) were third in the closly packed field with a time of 14:13.

In the 6 mile 1-dog class Jim Herriges with Lena set a new season record with a winning time of 21:27. Sara Tabbert with Rothko was second at 30:01 and Nina Ruckhaus (Tracker) was third at 31:50.

John Schauer (Willow, Riley and Tsaina) won the 6 mile 3-dog class with a time of 24:38. Don Kiely with Daikon, Chance and Casper was a close second at 24:53.

Two records fell in the 2mile class. Don Kiely (Izzi, Raja, Loon) set a new record in the 3-dog class with a winning time of 8:14. Sara Elzey with Chert, Crowe and Misty was second at 8:40.

In the 2-dog class, Carol Kleckner with Chanel and Shaman set a new record with a time of 7:02. Chanel capped her winning season by also taking home the ASPA Alder Award given to the most improved/exceptional dog for her accomplishments during the 2007-2008 skijor season. Congratulations Chanel! Peggy Raybeck with Charlie and Tracker were second with a time of 7:46. Third went to Janna Miller (Roy and Lilly) with a time of 8:50.

Jim Herriges won his second race of the day. This was the 2 mile 1-dog class with Ole in a time of 8:34. Laurie Hueffer with Suess were second at 12:39.

The closest race of the day was the .75 mile old or beginner dog class. Just 6 seconds separated the top three teams. Lisa Baraff with Scooter won at 4:10. Sara Elzey with Shadow was second at 4:11 and Christy Gleason with Milkyway was third at 4:16.

In the 8 mile classes, Kieran Gleason with Rusty Buffalo, Kenzie, and Husquarna set a new record at 33:49 in the 3-dog class. Chad Carroll with Tico and Elvis won the two dog class in 33:01.

In the final relay, the team of Carol Kleckner, Don Kiely, and Sara Elzey won with a time of 7:33. Second place went to the team of Nina Ruckhaus, Gail Davidson, and Wally Bandeff with a time of 7:46. Third place went to the team of Chad Carroll, Laurie Hueffer and Ted Wu with a time of 7:54.

In other ASPA business, Andy Warwick was given the Volunteer of the Year award for his exceptional work throughout the 2007-2008 skijor season. Andy thanked his broken collarbone for his volunteer honors and promised he would be back skijoring next season. Jim Herriges was given honorable mention as runner-up in the volunteer of the year voting. All the ASPA volunteers were honored for the many hours of service to the community (trailgrooming) and skijor community through the clinics, events and races.

Thanks to Janet Bandeff, Andy Warwick, Pat DeRuyter, and Lisa Stuby for making today's race possible. And Thank you to Roger and Melinda Evans for the use of the North Star Golf Club trails.

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Please send corrections or comments to Don Kiely.