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Edition:
September 02, 2010
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SLED DOG CLUB
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Monday, January 05, 2009
Deep snow causes cancellation of Frazee's 2009 sled dog race
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With the large amounts of snow, the trail crew has been unable to keep a designated trail open for the Third Crossing Sled Dog Rendezvous originally set Jan. 23-24 near Frazee.
Because of this, and other snow-related reasons, the ninth annual sprint sled dog race has been canceled. This sprint race is one of the largest in the Lower 48, with top teams coming from Canada, Alaska and Europe in past years. The event draws 2,000-3,000 spectators each year.
The trail crew reported that as soon as they get around the course with snow machines and the Department of Natural Resources' big tracked groomer, the winds just drift it right back smooth and shut again.
"There were huge problems in each of the three attempts to designate the race course with everybody getting stuck in the deep snow, especially in drifted areas," said trail helper Eddy Streeper, a 30-plus year veteran sprint dog racer who has rarely heard of a snow cancellation for a sled dog race.
The possibility of dog injuries made the call easier to make, said Sled Dog Club President Heidi Brune. With a deep, dry powder base that could not be firmed up for the high-powered fast dog teams, stopping teams to untangle or for other emergencies would not have been an option. Mushers carry a snow hook, which is basically a 4- to 5-pound steel, two-pronged hook designed to be stomped into the base of the trail or the frozen ground to keep a team stopped if needed.
Also at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, with as many dogs as 20 per team, leg injuries could result from the teams running through unpackable snow depths of over four feet on this trail.
Besides safety of the dogs and mushers, the monumental task of plowing the 10-acre starting area and public parking would be a huge undertaking with mega tons of snow to be removed. Right now, many of the volunteers who help plow snow are busy opening their own businesses and clients after the twice-a-week storms which seem to plague the area this winter.
Twice in the past 11 years the race has been canceled due to lack of snow, so too much dry snow brings about yet another odd twist on an event that is dependent on the weather.
The Frazee Sled Dog Club members hope this early cancellation allows mushing teams to alter their plans and have time to adjust their traveling schedules. It also allows key volunteers, who come to assist from as far away as Florida, to change their travel plans.
"We hope for a better year in 2010 and look forward to having all the top sprint dog teams back in Frazee!" Brune said.
The Frazee Sled Dog Club has planned its next race for Friday and Saturday, Jan 22-23, 2010.
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