Dogsled.com: Mushing news, Iditarod, Yukon Quest, sled dog events

Mushers agreed that the Gin Gin 200 is an up and coming favorite sled dog race. Running from Paxson Lodge to Maclaren Lodge with a 110 mile loop added in and then back to Paxson Lodge . One musher said  "you can almost always count on good snow in the Denali area" and another musher added "the trail was great for gearing up for long distance races". In this race mushers had to carry their gear throughout the race. There were no food drops in the Gin Gin 200. This made mushers plan carefully what they needed in their sleds and left no room for unneeded items.

The race opened its doors to a men's division this year for the first time and extended the trail from 120 miles to 200, making it a Yukon Quest and an Iditarod qualifier.

Temperatures were ideal for the dogs, at a crisp -20 for most of the race. The front runners encountered 65 mph winds as they passed through the last few miles of the Denali Highway near the finish line. One musher said she hunkered down and wrapped her arms around her handle bars to keep from getting blown off her sled. By the time the middle of the pack past through that area the winds had died down considerably, the only sign was multiple mounds of snow drifts dotting the trail. Two mushers had to scratch due to some dog issues, but remained on the trail to complete the 200 mile race route, driving their teams into Paxson late Sunday evening to a small cheering of spectators.

Race results:

Women's Division (1) Jodi Bailey - 33:24; (2) Zoya DeNure - 33:46 ; (3) Judy Currier - 34:50 ; (4) Molly Yazwinski - 35:48;  (5) Michelle Phillips - 36:16 ; (6) Kelley Griffin - 38:29 ; (7) Casie Stockdale - 38:34; (8) Iris Wood - 41:37 ; (9) Julie Estey - 49:38 (10) Alyssa Quaile - 55:46; (11)  Laura Davis - 55:46; (12)  Carol Blevins - 57:08 ;

Scratched: Heidi Sutter &  Rebecca Savadis     

Men's Division (1) Lance Mackey - 33:44 (2) Bill Steyer  - 36:41 (3)  Sonny Linder  - 37:32 (4)  Ed Hopkins - 38:11  (5) Sebastian Schnuelle - 38:24 (6)  Mike Ellis - 39:09 (7)  Mike Mayer  - 39:20 (8) Danny Seavy  - 39:30 (9)  Sam Dietour - 39:44  (10) Andrew Davies - 41:01 (11) Rich Corcoran - 41:31  (12)  Braxton Peterson - 41:32 (13)  Jacob Dries - 42:09  (14)  Rick Holt - 42:48  (15)  Jeremy Matrishon -44:05  (16) Andreas Moser - 44:10   (17) Dave Treasure - 44:30 (18)  Mike Barnett - 48:04  (19)  Dale Curry - 50:59

Awards: 

• Sportsmanship award: Given to Mike Barnett. Mike was on the trail out of Maclaren Lodge when a loose dog showed up and started following him. Mike loaded the dog in his sled, turned around and headed back to the checkpoint at Maclaren lodge, loosing time in the process to be sure this lucky sled dog got back to its musher. What a good guy. Mike received 100 dog booties donated by Kipmik.
• Women of the Gin Gin: Jodi Bailey. Given to the musher showing the "Spirit of Gin Gin". Gin Gin was a remarkable sled dog who dominated a dog kennel for over 10 years. She was an inspiration both on the trail and in the dog yard. Gin Gin was a dog with unswerving loyalty and stubbornness. She did not know "quit. Her ability, drive and attitude should serve as an example to dog drivers everywhere. Jodi receives booties & dog blankets from Kipmik.
• Vet's Choice Award: This award is given to the musher with the best care of his or her dogs. This award was given to Zoya DeNure. Zoya receives a free spay or neuter from Raven wood Vet.
• Women's Red Lantern Award: Given to the last musher to cross the finish line. This year's women's Red Lantern goes to Carol Blevins. Even though Carol had to deal with some REAL dog issues, she held steady and worked with the dogs until they were ready to go. Carol receives a Red lantern trophy from Daily's Web Design.
• Men's Red Lantern: Given to the last musher to cross the finish line. This year's Red Lantern was given to Dale Curry. Dale receives a Red lantern trophy from Daily's Web Design.

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