The first stage of the Second Annual Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association Race Across the Valley took place January 29, 1998, at the White Mountains trail head with seven skijorers showing up to run the 14 mile round trip up and back to Lee's Cabin. The first three racers out, Don Kelly, Jim Herriges and Andy Elsberg finished back to back with Andy coming in first with a time of 59:54, Jim came in third with a time of 1:00:56 and Don finishing fourth with 1:01:50. Second place went to Rocky DeMers who crossed the line in 1:00:13 after starting out #7. Ken Severin placed 5th with 1:10:05, Fred Markoff came in 6th with 1:23:40 and Tony LaCortiglia rounded out the field with 1:36:06.
[Racers could run up to three dogs in each race from a pool of up to five dogs declared in advance.]
1) Andy Elsberg (Lupine, Dan, Blackie)- 59:54
2) Rocky DeMers (Harper, Paiute) -1:00:13
3) Jim Herriges (Nikolai, Happy)- 1:00:56
4) Don Kelly (Tazlina, Herman, Geronimo) -1:01:50
5) Ken Severin (Larry, Sue, Zipper)- 1:10:05
6) Fred Markoff (K.C. & Bassett Cunningham)- 1:23:40
7) Tony LaCortiglia (Shadow, Zena) -1:36:06
The second stage of the Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association Race Across the Valley took place January 30, 1998, at the Chena Lakes Recreation Area. The trail was hard and fast, racers went out in reverse starting order, slowest team from yesterday went out first today, in one minute intervals. Rocky DeMers who placed second yesterday passed the five skijorers in front of him to place first today with 46:19 for the 12 mile course. Jim Herriges and Don Kelly crossed the finish line right behind Rocky and placed second and fourth with times of 47:27 and 48:31. Andy Elsberg placed third today with a time of 47:47. Ken Severin placed fifth with a time of 55:47, Fred Markoff was right behind with 57:50 and Tony LaCortiglia rounded out the field with 1:16:07.
1) Rocky DeMers (Harper, Mohawk, Trouble) - 46:19
2) Jim Herriges ( Nikolai, Benny) - 47:27
3) Andy Elsberg ( Lupine, Dan, Blackie) - 47:47
4) Don Kelly (Katie May, Tazlina, Herman) - 48:31
5) Ken Severin ( Sue, Zipper, Derby) - 55:47
6) Fred Markoff ( K.C. & Bubba Cunningham) - 57:50
7) Tony LaCortiglia ( Shadow, Zena) -1:16:07
Don Kelly used home trail advantage and shot into first place for the 3rd stage of the Race Across the Valley which was a 10 mile loop at Ivory Jack's. Again there was an exciting three way finish between Andy Elsberg, Jim Herriges and Ken Severin. Ken had a head on crash with an unknown musher right at the start and sustained a cut on the chin when the musher's sled ran over him.
1) Don Kelly (Tazlina, Katie May, Herman) -40:37
2) Andy Elsberg (Lupine, Dan) - 40:59
3) Rocky DeMers (Harper, Maya) - 41:07
4) Jim Herriges ( Nome, Happy, Tagish) - 41:54
5) Ken Severin ( Larry, Sue, Derby) - 43:54
6) Fred Markoff (Charlotte & Bubba Cunningham )- 56:05
7) Tony LaCortiglia (Shadow, Zena) -1:03:20
Jim Herriges flew around the final 20 mile stage of the Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association Race Across the Valley in 1:29:33. Rocky DeMers was right behind with a time of 1:30:10. Don Kelly added to his 1st place finish in Saturday's stage finishing 3rd today with a time of 1:32:15, Ken Severin placed 4th with 1:44:06, Andy Elsberg dropped back to 5th after suffering a major tangle with a time of 1:51:59 and Tony LaCortiglia finished in 6th with 2:45:01 .
1) Jim Herriges (Nikolai, Benny, Happy) - 1:29:33
2) Rocky DeMers (Harper, Mohawk, Trouble) -1:30:10
3) Don Kelly (Tazlina, Katie May, Herman) -1:32:15
4) Ken Severin (Larry, Sue, Derby) -1:44:06
5) Andy Elsberg ( Special, Blackie, Dan) -1:51:59
6) Tony LaCortiglia (Shadow, Zena) - 2:45:01
Fred Markoff- Scratch
1) Rocky DeMers- 3:57:49
2) Jim Herriges- 3:59:50
3) Don Kelly - 4:03:13
4) Andy Elsberg - 4:20:39
5) Ken Severin - 4:33:52
6) Tony LaCortiglia - 6:40:34
Fred Markoff (Didn't finish Stage 4)
Questions or commments to Ken Severin.
Last updated: 02/09/98