The second of two dog races in recent weeks wrapped up over the March 5-6 weekend in Hay River.
The KSA国际影视传媒檃mba Carnival event hosted seven entries in the 10-dog race and six in the six-dog class with additional participation among young mushers in the four- and one-dog races Sunday afternoon.
Danny Beaulieu, from Fort Providence came out on top in the two-part 10-dog race on Saturday and Sunday with a total time of 2:47:56:62.
TJ Fordy finished first in the six-dog race with a weekend total time of 43:37:29.
KSA国际影视传媒檃mba held the weekendSA国际影视传媒檚 races again at the well-manicured trail between the ditch at Super A Foods and Enterprise, essentially piggy-backing off the Aurora Ford Classic race the weekend before.
The six-mile (9.6-kilometre) six-dog race first leg was held on Saturday from Super A Foods to the Fort Smith junction and the second leg over the same distance was held Sunday.
The 23 mile (37 km) 10-dog race was held from Hay River to Enterprise on Saturday with the return route on the second leg the next day.
Yumi Kuromasa, who came in seventh in the 10-dog event, arrived with Grant Beck early Saturday morning. The Beck teams have been busy in recent weeks participating in the Anchorage, Alaska Fur Rendezvous Open World Championship, Feb. 25 and 26 as well as the Pedigree Stage Stop Race in Wyoming in early February.
She said she was glad to participate in Hay River despite being rushed and coming in last.
SA国际影视传媒淲e were in Anchorage last weekend and we werenSA国际影视传媒檛 sure we could make this race,SA国际影视传媒� Kuromasa said, laughing. SA国际影视传媒淏ut we just made it down to the NWT like yesterday (Saturday) morning and then we just came here.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a good trail and I like that everybody can see the race.SA国际影视传媒�
Beck, who did not participate directly, said he was very impressed with Hay RiverSA国际影视传媒檚 trail.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is probably the best trail that I have seen just because itSA国际影视传媒檚 a cold, hard packed frozen trail,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t really doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 get any better.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 always a big plus when you can watch the whole race right from your car.SA国际影视传媒�
Beck said while this winter has been cold in the NWT for training, he has been able to get dogs out for training here and there.
He is looking to see his dog teams participate in the Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Yellowknife races in the coming weeks.
Preston Lafferty of Fort Resolution had a strong second-place finishing in the six-dog class and said he was grateful to be able to have the opportunity to race against the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 finest.
SA国际影视传媒淢y biggest happiness is that my dogs are running even though I have no leaders at the moment,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a good track. Really, really nice. Hard and fast.SA国际影视传媒�
Lafferty said he only began returning to dog racing in recent years after being away from the sport for 35 years. He is loving the return and being able to compete and reminisce on his days as a child around dogs.
SA国际影视传媒淢y dad used to have more than 100 dogs and ISA国际影视传媒檝e always loved dogs,SA国际影视传媒� he said when asked why he is returning to the sport.
TJ Fordy, who came first in the six-dog race has been in the KSA国际影视传媒檃mba event for 13 years. She said Lafferty put in a strong competition as he was ahead after the first day.
SA国际影视传媒淭he first day he was ahead by eight or nine seconds and then the second day I pulled ahead of the second place person by over a minute,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Overall she had a great time in Hay River, she added.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was a really nice track and I loved it. Nice and wide. I also liked with KSA国际影视传媒檃mba this year that they had it on the side of the highway. I look forward to that because then you can have the elders get out to watch and other spectators as well. Just seeing the smiles on the elders faces makes it all worthwhile.SA国际影视传媒�
Bess Ann McKay, who was on a team of volunteers overseeing the race said there was lower turnout but it was an overall positive experience.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is what it is because you know the (travel restrictions) and everything were lifted March 1and we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 get a chance to get teams up from places like Alberta,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e will have a lot more teams next year.SA国际影视传媒�
Fact file - Race Results
10-dog, 23 miles (Hay River to Enterprise, Enterprise to Hay River)
1. Danny Beaulieu 2:47:56:62
2. Trevor Lizotte 2:50:29:14
3. Grant Beck 2:51:03:77
4. Alexis Campbell 2:51:22:14
5. Roger Beck 2:57:09:19
6. Danny Beck 2:57:35:39
7. Yumi Kuromasa 3:10:48:33
6-dog,6 miles (Hay River to Fort Smith Junction and back)
1. TJ Fordy 43:37:29
2. Preston Lafferty 44:57:17
3. Anthony Beck 45:26:57
4. Susan Fleck 45:55:87
5. Jana Fritz 48:08:55
6. Andrew Gallop 48:53:70
