While Karen is getting ready to race in Alaska...
Here in New Hampsire, 50 degree temps & mud season make us
realize - our race season is over. We are always sad
to see winter leave, but we are very happy with our
race results this season and wanted to share them
with the group! We ran 4 races this season, many
races were against all kinds of teams (Alaskans,
Siberians, Malamute/Inuits, Hounds). The only race
we ran with a total Siberian field was Eden.
This winter we had a few new team members to work
with. Last May, NorthWapiti's Skor joined us, along with NorthWapiti's
Rainy.
We also had 5 yearlings join the kennel -
Flutie &
Stryder
(brothers), Viper,
Myst
& Togo.
Flutie |
Stryder |
Viper |
Myst |
Togo |
With so many young dogs coming onto the team our
goal for the season was to put together one older,
more experienced team (we call them the "A" team)
and one team of "rookies/yearlings". We split them
up in those categories to more evenly match the dogs
training experience, age and physical ability.
Our snow arrived late - but at least it arrived this
year! We decided from training that the "A"
Team was
going to consist of -
NorthWapiti's Skor
- (NorthWapiti's Super Grover x Northomes Visa)
Kelim's Super Dodge, SD, CGC - (NorthWapiti's
Super Grover x Tsuga's Hollywood of Kelim, SD)
Kelim-Tsuga's Quest, CGC - (NorthWapiti's
Lincoln At Kelim, SD, CGC x Kelim's Sugar Maple of
Tsuga)
Kelim-Thesewood's Tracker - ( CH.
NorthWapiti's Guy Smiley x Northomes Maja)
NorthWapiti's Lincoln At Kelim, SD, CGC - (NorthWapiti's
Odin x Chuchinka's San Antonio Rose)
Kelim's Dodge Viper -
(Kelim's Super Dodge, SD, CGC
x NorthWapiti's See Spot Run)
The "Yearling/Rookie" Team consisted of -
NorthWapiti's Rainy - (Chlout's Moses of Velikaya x
Chuchinka's San Antonio Rose)
NorthWapiti's Myst At Kelim - (Chlout's Herman of
NorthWapiti x NorthWapiti's Roary)
Kazlo's Stryder At Kelim - (Kelim's Super Dodge, SD,
CGC (Grover son) x NorthWapiti's Whinny)
Kazlo's Flyin Flutie - (Kelim's Super Dodge, SD, CGC
(Grover son) x NorthWapiti's Whinny)
NorthWapiti's Togo At Kelim - (NorthWapiti's Super
Grover x NorthWapiti's See Spot Run)
and the last spot shifted a little between -
Sibersong's Decal At Kelim
- (NorthWapiti's Guy Smiley x NorthWapiti's Lyra)
Kelim's Mollywood of Tsuga
- (NorthWapiti's Lincoln At Kelim, SD, CGC x Kelim's
Sugar Maple of Tsuga)
Our first race was a two day 15 mile race in
Stratford. It snowed 8 inches the night before which made
for a really soft, punchy trail. We didn't care
though, we were racing! :) The A Team ran awesome
and had a really inspiring run - the new snow didn't
seem to slow them down a bit. The Rookie Team did
well for having over half a team of dogs that have
never raced before. Kim started out with Rainy &
Decal in lead, but after just about 2 miles switched
Decal out for Myst. Myst ended up the fastest,
hardest driving dog on that team both days. Rainy
also did a great job in lead! We had a few
overtaking passes and turns that went well. The only
glitches with that team was at one point Myst saw a
snowmachine coming at her and turned around and
booked it which made for me jumping off to grab her
before the whole team was turned around and fixing a
huge tangle. Another 'big' thing for that team was
two rookie leaders leading the team over the finish
line near the parking lot. It was a little confusing
for them and we finished '6 wide' but we still made
it over. This race was a huge learning curve for
that team and we were proud of them! We could tell
that they were somewhat wide eyed and taking it all
in.
Race Results (23 teams Total) -
A Team - 1st place by 16 minutes
Rookie Team - 8th place
Our 2nd race was a sprint race (we prefer longer
races than sprints - but it was 25 minutes away). We
decided to just race the A Team here. The team ran
great and we were in first place by ONE second on
Saturday. Sunday the second place hound team made
some time on us, so we missed first place by 29
seconds. We also ran the 4 dog class to give
some of the younger dogs more race experience.
Race Results (7 teams Total) -
A Team - 2nd place (29 seconds out of 1st)
Our 3rd race was a 24 mile race on Bear Notch Road
in Bartlett NH. The trail was in the best shape we
have ever seen it, but the temps were in the 40's,
warm for our dogs. We decided this time to give Myst
a shot at running on the "A"team and a break from
the pressure of lead on the "rookie" team as she is
the youngest member of our kennel this year at 15
months. Dodge ran lead with Rainy to give that team
a 'seasoned' leader for a change. The A Team had a
great run, and I was happy with how they performed
given how hot they were. The "rookie" team had it's
flattest run of the year.
Race Results (14 teams Total) -
A Team - 5th place
Rookie Team - 11th place
Our 4th and final race for the season was a two day
10 mile race up at Eden Mountain Lodge. Temps were
decent at below freezing each day and it snowed the
WHOLE time we were there, sometimes making for quick
white-out conditions and hard to find trails. With
over a foot of new snow on Friday it was a very slow
going, punchy, soft trail both days. It was the type
of trail that a dog could easily strain a muscle.
The A Team had another great run, and the "rookie"
team was starting to look like a veteran team. We
had multiple head on passes which the dogs handled
well! I should also note that the "Rookie" team had
two 'borrowed' additions from Sibersong kennels due
to Togo having a strained shoulder muscle and Decal
being in standing heat - Weyekin (Linc daughter) and
Dawson (Smiley x Lyra son).
Race Results (11 teams Total) -
A team - 1st place by 13 minutes
Rookie Team - 4th place
This race season left us very proud of the dogs and
ecstatic about next season!
A few quick notes -
Skor
|
Rainy |
Viper |
Myst |
Quest |
- Skor was the SUPERSTAR this season leading
every step of every race. We are always in awe of
that amazing dog :)
- Rainy also lead the "rookie" team in every race.
We did a training run yesterday and she was
fabulous. Made us realize just how far she has come
this season as a leader. She is a very cool dog :)
- Viper was the only yearling to make the A Team
in every race, something we didn't plan on, but he
just ended up there!
- Myst was the youngest member of our team, but ran
two races in lead - again something we didn't plan
on, but she just earned her way there!
- Quest lead his first race in Bear Notch and did
very well! He is now considered a leader on the team
instead of a leader in training (although leaders
are always in training in one way or another!)
- We had the fastest Siberian team at every race
Many thanks to Karen & Mark Ramstead for sharing
their incredible dogs and knowledge with us! Their
line of dogs never cease to amaze, awe and impress
us. We wouldn't be where we are today without their
friendship and wonderful dogs!
Kim - Karen -
Kelly
If anyone wants to see race photos and results,
check out -
http://kel-im.com/kelimsiberians/race2007.html
Kim & Kelly Berg
