Canadian Challenge International Sled Dog Race

The 2008 12 Dog race results have been confusing for many people who have contacted us.

The following is a brief synopsis of the facts and events that led to the Race Marshall’s decision.

At approximately 6 PM Friday, February 15th, the remaining five 12 dog teams still running La Ronge north encountered a rapidly moving warm and moist air mass that began pushing a front into the La Ronge north race area. This front generated freezing rain in La Ronge and intense snow squalls, high wind and whiteout conditions in areas north of there. Reports from the mushers indicated that many of the trail markers had gone missing, the cause of which is not yet known. This made it a challenge for the mushers to stay on the trail even in daylight. Also, the rising temperatures adversely impacted the trail as it became “punchy”, possibly caused by the preceding trail crew drag over the warming trail surface. All of the mushers excepting Stefaan de Marie chose to remain at checkpoints while the storm raged. Stefaan left Stanley Mission before the brunt of the storm hit and had attained Grandmother’s Bay, returning to Stanley with the aid of a front and back snowmobile escort provided by local residents that he did not request, but which in the co-operative spirit of the north was provided by local people to ensure his team’s safe arrival.

At 11:30 PM Friday Race Marshall Terry Hinesley called the race by shortening the finish line to Stanley Mission outbound, with the agreement of the three mushers at Stanley. The Race Marshall’s decision was made primarily in consideration for the health and safety of the dogs in the given conditions.

Many factors came into Mr. Hinesley’s decision to ultimately declare a tie for first place. While de Marie had actually arrived outbound in Stanley 22 minutes ahead of Wannamaker, he was subject to a 38 minute penalty for leaving the mandatory rest at La Ronge 8 minutes early. This put his corrected time 16 minutes behindWannamaker. He had, however, progressed much further by the time the race was ended.

Given that de Marie had received unsolicited assistance returning from Grandmother’s Bay in the stormy conditions, a restart would have been difficult if not impossible, as any advantage de Marie enjoyed could not have been replicated for the remaining mushers later.

The discussions surrounding the declaration of the official result were made in an in-camera session between the board, the mushers, and race officials. The solution to a controversial situation was proposed by mushers Wannamaker and de Marie, ratified by the Race Marshall and the board, and accepted by a general musher's meeting prior to public declaration of the result. De Marie’s time into Stanley outbound is adjusted to reflect the 38 minute penalty and recognition of his significant forward progress past where the race was declared ended before the declaration was made.

The rules state that the Marshall has the right to declare the order of finish. The board stands by the Race Marshall’s decision.

February 16 7:00 PM
Joint Championship for 2008 Canadian Challenge 12 Dog Race

In an historic decision made in La Ronge Feb. 16, two mushers were declared co-champions of the 2008 Canadian Challenge Sled Dog race. Veteran dog racers Stefaan de Marie of Christopher Lake and Rick Wannamaker of Didsbury, AB. share the top prize for the race.

Kolby Morrison of Gronlid, SK. placed third. After a long gruelling time on the trail, Janet Whitesell of Idaho finished fourth. Fifth was awarded to Jerry Joinson of Fort St. James, B.C. The other five mushers in the original field of 10 teams were forced to pull out at earlier points in the race for various reasons.

Challenges meant early end to race
We don't call this race a challenge for nothing! The 12-dog race ended 25 hours early because of a storm system which moved into the northern Lac La Ronge and Churchill River area late on Friday, causing whiteouts and obliterating the trail and markers in places.

The safety of the dogs and mushers is paramount. While mushers are mandated to carry survival equipment in their sleds, organizers are also mandated to make sure they do not send teams into obviously dangerous situations.

In the interests of safety, Race Marshall Terry Hinesley made the decision to end the race in Stanley Mission (northbound) at 11:30 pm Friday evening. The original plan was to run from Stanley Mission to Grandmother’s Bay along the Churchill, back to Stanley and return to the finish line in La Ronge. Teams originally had until 1 am Sunday Feb. 17 to finish.

The reasons for the decision were explained to the 12-dog mushers at a meeting in La Ronge late on Feb. 16. All 12-dog finishers will be able to use the race to prove qualification for the senior Canada/U.S. dog sled races, the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod.

Miller wins 8-dog race
The eight-dog race ended on schedule in La Ronge earlier on Feb. 15, with Quincy Miller of La Ronge coming in first. Second was Jessica Allen of Minnedosa, MB. and Australia. David Neubuhr of MacDowall came third, Lyle Munro of Nipawin fourth, and Blake Charles of La Ronge fifth. He spent time during the earlier part of the race making his daughter Nicole, a junior musher, did not run into problems. Out of a starting field of 12 teams, only these five racers finished. Very cold trail conditions meant tough running conditions, which certainly challenged the dogs.

Junior mushers both complete
A highlight of this year’s race was the Junior Challenge, which saw two young northern women compete over a 70-mile trail from Prince Albert to Elk Ridge. Martina Carriere of Cumberland House was the winner, while Nitanis Nicole Charles of La Ronge came in not far behind her. Both girls are to be commended for their commitment to the sport and their interest in racing. Comments from mushers, marshals, organizers and spectators regarding this year’s race have been very constructive and will prove extremely useful as planning begins for the 12th running of the Canadian Challenge in 2009.

For further information:
Dave Young, President Gateway North Sled Dog Association
(306) 764-1711 W "
(306) 960-7521 C

February 16 3:00 PM
The 2008 Canadian Challenge 8 Dog Race data has now been entered. Times in and out of checkpoints are correct but calculations "From Previous Checkpoint" are not. The winner of the race is local musher Quincy Miller. Jessica Allen is second then David Neubuhr, Lyle Munro and Blake Charles.

February 16 1:30 PM
The 2008 Canadian Challenge 12 Dog Race ended last night at Stanley Mission at 11:30 PM. There will be a mushers meeting today at 4 PM to explain the officials decision to end the race early. A news update will be posted after the musher's meeting is concluded.

February 15 08:30 AM
Checkpoint data is up to date as of 15 minutes ago. We do not have number for the Sucker River checkpoint but Rick and Stefaan have already left Sucker River. Updates will be rare from now till I return to La Ronge. That should be late tonight or tomorrow some time. Sorry to keep you in suspense but communications from here on up is a challenge.

February 15 01:00 AM
All teams have arrived at LT's Wilderness. Many have left and some, #6 & #11 are already in La Ronge. Checkpoint data to this point is caught up and posted. Sorry for the delays. Running times and speed calculations will not be correct between LT's and La Ronge. The reason is that we had an extra checkpoint in the calculations between LT's and La Ronge. Once the race is over and everyone has had a bit of sleep we will get things fixed so that the calculations will correct. If you see obvious problems or discrepances, please email us and we will try to get them all fixed once we have time and clear heads. Sleep Deprevation does nothing for one's ablity to reason or problem solve. Might be time for a quick Nap. Talk to you later race fans.

February 14 4:00 PM
All teams have arrived at Weyakwin except for Harold Johnson who scratched when he arrived at Elkridge. Two teams have already left LT's Wilderness Checkpoint. #11 left at 12:08 and #6 left at 1:00 PM. Teams 2, 3, 55 and 61 are still in LT's. Teams 53 and 54 scratched at Weyakwin. #59 scratched 15 km before reaching Weyakwin.

February 14 12:30 PM
Kolby Morrison has made it to the LT's Wilderness checkpoint but I don't have his time at this point. Teams 2, 6, 11, 51, 55 and 61 have left Weyakwin as well. The weather is warming up a bit as the sun is shining bright. A few other teams are starting to stir as well. I'm sorry that we haven't been able to get all of the officials posted to date. I't the same old story of bad communications in some areas as well as too few volunteers to do too many jobs. We will get it all there eventually

Happy Valentines Day every one
Hello from the -40 something of Nothern Saskatchewan. It is 7:30 AM and here is quick update. Due to serious communication problems that we experience every year from Weyakwin, it may be several hours till I post actual times but here is the short story. All teams have now left Elk Ridge Checkpoint. #53 & #54 were the last two out. #58 scratched at Elk Ridge. Teams 3,4,5,6,11,55,57 & 61 have arrived in Weyakwin. Team#3 left Weyakwin headed for LT's Wilderness checkpoint AT 6:58 am.

WE HAVE THE FIRST EVER WINNER OF THE CANADIAN CHALLENGE JUNIOR RACE
Team #64 Marinta Carriere crossed the finish line at 21:58 to win the 2008 Junior Canadian Challenge. Congratulations Martina.

Please be patient

As usuall, at the first few checkpoints things are pretty crazy. Results are trickeling in and we will get all the stats posted as soon as possible. When you go to view the checkpoint data, be sure to clink on the "GO" button. It is now 18:52 and the first team Kolby Morrison has arrived at Elk Ridge.

some teams have already left Anglin Lake

We have a few problems with the calculations part of the web site. We will do our best to get thing sorted out but for now, do not depend on the running time to be correct.

AND THEY'RE OFF

It was pretty cold out there this morning but the mushers all showed up as did the spectators and bus loads of school children. It was hard to tell who was more excited, the kids or the dogs. The start was uneventful but at the bottom of Central Ave where the trail turns on to the river bank, the trail was on a bit of side hill and several teams had a little fun with keeping the right side up. Passengers got a real thrill getting dumped into the cold snow. As os 2:40 PM most of the teams have crossed the highway at Northside. The two junorir teams are in the middle of the pack and Tina has even moved up a spot or two.

Vet Checks and Banquet

Well the day went off pretty much without a hitch. Volunteers and organizers were running in every direction. All the mushers and their dogs arrivied in PA and went throught the required vet check. Things at the vet check seems unusually calm and smooth compaired to other years. All the teams attended the afternoon mushers meeting and asked plenty of questions as Race Marshal Terry Hinesly breifed them on the rules and what he expects of them. There was a major announcement reguarding a trail change. The sectin of trail running up the south west end of Montreal Lake has had to be abandon due to sever flooding on the lake. The trail crews have been working overtime for days now to prepare and groom a new trail in the ditch along Highway 2 to get us to the Weyakwin Fire Cashe checkpoint. It will shorten the race by about 5 km.
The banquet was nearly a full house and was enjoyed by all. Sponors and the general public got to visit with the mushers and organizers and hear some stories of races gone by.

Hello Race Fans. It's almost race time.

RACE STARTS ON WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13TH AT 12 NOON
CENTRAL AVENUE IN FRONT OF CITY HALL

Well it's less than a week to go before the start of the 11th Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race. Boy time flies! The big cold snap has ended and we are hoping that it won't be back for the race. Snow conditions are fabulous. The trail crew were hoping to get some rest before the start of the race but with lots of new snow, they are still hard at working packing and grooming daily. With all the new snow, mother nature is really testing the endurance of our trail crews.

Stay tuned for the finalized race purse. We hope to be able to announce the finalized race purse before the weekend. Check the "Race" page.

A Report from the La Ronge Neckbone Race

The La Ronge Neckbone Race ran on January 19 and 20. The race used much of the new Canadian Challenge trail. Reports from the racers have helped us to fine tune areas of the trail that required any improvements. With current snow conditions and the new trail, we are looking forward to having the best trail the Challenge has had for a long time.

The 2008 Neckbone dog race started on a crisp -35° Saturday morning in Stanley Mission, with the sun rising to a clear day and fog from open water on the Churchill River partially obscuring the view of the famous church. In spite of the cold, the weather was clear and the scenery spectacular.(read more)

5 WEEKS TO 11th ANNUAL CANADIAN CHALLENGE

Only five weeks to race time, and the push is on to get the trails in shape for the new route. Volunteer crews are out clearing deadfall, cutting brush, and packing muskegs so they freeze solid and make a good base.

As of Jan 5, 14 mushers had registered - six in the 12-dog race, seven in the 8-dog race and one junior musher. Many more are expected to follow shortly.

This year’s race is the first to run north of La Ronge, and contains the greatest wilderness mileage yet. While a little shorter than the previous route from Prince Albert to La Ronge and back, it will certainly be a challenge for mushers, dogs and organizers! The added wilderness trail makes the Canadian Challenge a truly worthy qualifier for the famous Iditarod and Yukon Quest races. (read more)

CANADIAN CHALLENGE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - NOVEMBER 29, 2007

Plans for the 11th annual Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race continue, and considerable snow in the north in the last couple of weeks makes the race feel all the closer. February 13, 2008 will see the grand start on Central Avenue in Prince Albert, with teams heading north – and further north – and even further north!

There’s lots of interest out there, with two entries already received: brothers Stefaan and Bart de Marie, in the 12-dog and 8-dog categories respectively. Originally from Belgium, Stefaan is now a resident of Christopher Lake while Bart is planning to immigrate to Canada. Both are veterans of the race.

The 12-dog race is a 300-mile-plus qualifier for the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest, while the eight-dog race now exceeds 200 miles. This year, the organizing committee has added more lake and wilderness miles to the route, making it an extremely realistic qualifier for the two big races. (read more)

CANADIAN CHALLENGE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - OCTOBER 08, 2007

For 2008, the Canadian Challenge sled dog race becomes a challenge indeed!Organizers, always in search of a better event, have adjusted the race to include more northern wilderness travel. The race, which remains a qualifier for the famous Yukon Quest and Iditarod races, will run from Feb. 12-17, 2008.

The historical purse of approx. $20,000.00 is still in place with the final purse to be announced at a later date.

New trail
In previous years the race has run from Prince Albert, SK. to La Ronge, SK. and back to Spruce Home, just north of Prince Albert. This year, after a ceremonial and timed start in Prince Albert, 12-dog mushers will travel to La Ronge over some established and some new trails, including an approach to La Ronge from the lake side. (read more)

CANADIAN CHALLENGE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - 2007 RESULTS SUMMARY

North Bound

South Bound