CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP DOG DERBY Day 1 We got up this morning to clear sunny skies -18c, light wind for Yellowknife not bad. We arrived at the race site on Great Slave Lake and parked our truck between chute 7 and 8. There were 8 teams in this years race the smallest entry in a long time? By the start of the race there was close to 500 people lining the chutes. The flag dropped and the race was on 50 miles to go. Alix and I got into Danny Beaulieaus pick- up and joined Susan Fleck and headed over to the far side of Back Bay to the 5 mile mark and waited for the teams. Branden was leading followed by Jaden,Bill, Dave, Richard, Brent, Bud (30 seconds behind) and Lina. We watched as Branden slowed and all the teams went by him. We stopped by KFC and purchased a barrel of the finest chicken in the north which we quickly ate our selves full. We seen the teams at the far side of the bay. Bill was now leading till the 10 mile mark when both Bud and Lina passed him. At the 13 mile mark where the trail now runs beside the Detah ice road Bud called out his average speed of 15.1 mph to us right where he wanted to be. This is the first time since 2005 Bud was in the lead this early in the race. Most years teams blast out and Bud catches them going home. It appears all the teams are being conservative this year. A mile or so later Dave Turner stops and loads a dog. Just before the road crossing where the 6 dog trail heads back to the trucks Bill had trouble and was passed by Dave and Richard. At the 20 mile mark it was Bud, Lina 1 min to Bill 1 min 48 seconds to Richard 2 min 12 seconds to Dave, 4 min to Branden, 4 1/2 min to Brent and 4 :45 to Jaden. All the time differences I give are from the leaders time. We watched as Brandens team stopped and he was passed by Brent. When they finished the loop 30 miles into the race Bud and Lina led Bill by 1:30, Dave by 2:45, and Richard by 4 minutes the teams were running into a strong head wind. We had to go back to the trucks to drop dogs. We then headed to the 45 mile mark and heard on the radio reported by Sholto Douglas that Bill had slowed down and was passed by Dave. Bud showed up 35 seconds ahead of Lina both their teams looked real solid. 6:15 later Dave showed up 7:15 Bill went by looking a little shakey, 8:15 Richard passed mooving ok. We hurried to the trucks to wait for the teams to finish. Bud was first in followed 1:15 by Lina both teams looking real good. Dave came in 8:20 behind still carrying a dog, Richard comes in 4th 9:50 back having passed Bill on the way in. 13:30 Bill finishes having loaded a wheel dog. 24 min later Branden finished followed 2 min later by Jaden. Brent showing the effects of a cold winter and having personal health issues finished 34 minutes off the pace of Bud. With 100 miles to go this race is just getting started.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 02:19:38 +0000
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