UAF West Ridge Race

February 18, 2018

The weather cooperated again this year for the West Ridge Skijor race on the UAF trails. No threat of extreme cold or freezing rain to cancel the race. A few pups found it a bit warm for February, but all finished with wagging tails.

Thirty-one teams participated with a total of 47 dogs enjoying the trails. The new No Whiz option (3 mile course) was a popular choice: fourteen teams completed it. The Big Whizzy (4.5 mile course) continued to have a loyal following with 11 teams, plus the six teams that skijored it twice in the 9 mile classes. This year we had the unexpected excitement of a beginner skijor from Korea participating with his dog Tui. Camera crew and all.

It remains a great privilege to be able to use these trails and ASPA thanks UAF for the ongoing permission and support. A special thank you to Jason Garron, UAF Trail Groomer, for the excellent trail conditions and help with marking the course and pulling up stakes afterwards.

Sara Tabbert and Kathleen Boyle were the race directors. Lisa Stuby helped with timing. Several people pitched in to help with handling at race start. It was much appreciated.

Alaska Skijor and Pulk Association
ASPA West Ridge Skijor Race at UAF
February 18, 2018
UAF Ski Trails

Bib #	Skijorer	Dogs	Time	Place
9 miles, 3 dogs
1	Matt Sprau	Onion, Roach, Leika	45:33	1st

9 miles, 2 dogs
2	Greg Probst	Tifus, Barracuda	44:28	1st
6	Jacques Philip	Dingo, Unenza	46:14	2nd
3	Trine Nedregard	Seeluk, Hannah	48:32	3rd
4	Annette Lianes	Gus, Jobie	1:13:00	4th

9 miles, 1 dog
5	Florian Philip	Snow	46:25	1st

4.5 miles, 2 dogs
8	Nina Ruckhaus	Snuffy, Luska	24:41	1st
9	Mark Oldmixon	Piggy, Weasel	26:53	2nd
11	Janna Miller	Roy, Dexter	31:04	3rd
10	Tohru Saito	Seven, Dumbo	32:09	4th

4.5 miles, 1 dog
18	Jeff Benowitz	Panda	23:10	1st
16	Kailyn Davis	Zeke	25:11	2nd
15	Becky Childs	DeHadog	26:31	3rd
13	Kelsi Johnson	Loki	28:23	4th
12	Nellie Ballou	Otter	30:23	5th
14	Brian Reggiani	Olive	32:29	6th
19	Russell Walker	Sugar	Scratched

3 miles, 3 dogs
20	Andy Warwick	Jack, Yogi, Freddie	14:40	1st

3 miles, 2 dogs
7	Alaina Ctibor	Amber, Dali	13:47	1st
23	Kriya Dunlap	Grover, Simi	14:00	2nd
22	Jean Liaison-Rein	Kenai, Ranger	17:28	3rd
21	Amanda Byrd	Sabrina, Lira	18:16	4th

3 miles, 1 dog
17	Julliette Funk	Wink	17:37	1st
27	Aasne Hoveid	Aili	18:50	2nd
26	Symcha Gillette	Chester	20:21	3rd
25	Sonya Truffer	Emma	20:51	4th
30	Anna Liljedahl	Monet	25:33	5th
24	Magali Philip	Ismani	30:01	6th
29	Brian Fay	Nashoba	35:10	7th
31	Hyun S Choi	Tui	54:37	8th
28	Trine Nedregard	Noor	Not Recorded

Race Course

Course Description

[All distances are approximate]

4.5 Mile – Start near the parking lot and travel west down the powerline trail. Turn right onto the Tee Field Road. Bypass the Potato Field continuing straight down the road to the T-Field. Turn right onto the T-Field travelling around the perimeter. By pass the trail to the top of the T-Field and continue around to the lower, SW corner. Turn right at the SW corner onto the Smith Lake access trail. Take a left onto Smith Lake and follow the edge around to the lake exit. Take a left and head up to the Potato Field. Take a right and follow the edge of the field to the top. Turn right onto the lighted loop. Near the top, turn right onto the Big Whizzy. Follow the Big Whizzy to the bottom and climb back up the hill. Take a left onto the inner loop (added in 2014) then rejoin the Big Whizzy and proceed to the top of the hill. Exit the Big Whizzy and head straight. Veer to the right of the dish and proceed to the warming hut and finish.

No Whiz (approx. 3 mile) – Same as 4.5 mile EXCEPT ski PAST the turn onto the Big Whizzy and head straight, veer to the right of the dish and proceed to warming hut and finish.

9 Mile – The 9 mile is essentially 2 laps of the 4 mile. To prevent dogs balking in the start/finish area there is a cutoff after the Big Whizzy. At the top of the hill head straight then veer to the left of the satellite dish and left down the hill onto the T-Field road. Follow the 4 mile course again. At the top of the Big Whizzy the second time veer right to the warming hut and finish line.