Limited North American Championships – Day 1

This is the race we train for each year.  It is the most prestigious race on the limited class calendar and, being at home, it one which we  have the home trail advantage – in a normal year that is.  This has not been a normal year with lower than average snowfall, so we have trained at the famed Salcha trails.  This has actually been a great advantage, and has given me more benefits like perfect trails to train on, incredible obstacle training, and access to one of the very best minds in the sled dog, if not animal world.  The other nice thing about this year is that we have not trained at the track all season, so this is kind of new and fresh the dogs.

Day one started with all of my sound racing dogs – 8 of the 9 racing dogs in the kennel.  Daria is resting comfortably at home and is the model patient.  She is, however, an important team member and this is my very first race where she has not been on the team.  It leaves me feeling a little naked.  Nickie has filled her spot in point.  Nickie is good, but she is no Daria.

This time of year is tough on most kennels.  Dogs become injured over the season with trail conditions, random and unexpected incidents, and illness.  I know I am not alone in my attrition.  I probably have the lowest number of racing dogs in my class.  8 racing dogs, and I am luck it is an 8-dog race!

Day one went quite well.  The trail conditions were terribly disappointing.  After running on them on Sunday and seeing a great, smooth trail, today was like racing on a churned up mess.  I am really hoping that the trail is groomed properly tonight for tomorrow.

The doggies ran very well. Clara is really starting to mature as a leader.  She has only raced 4 races in lead previous to this and her confidence is growing.  I am proud of my little girl.  We had an uphill pass 1/2  a mile from the finish line, and Clara ran on by without missing a beat.

We are currently in 5th position.  This made me laugh when I heard the results.  For some reason we have not been able to get over the 5th place hump.  One of these days we will place higher than 5th overall.  There are still two days, so cross y0ur fingers for us!  We are 25 seconds out of 4th place.  I saw where that was lost today, and with proper management we should be able to make that up tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!

The results for day one are: