2. Animals

2007.03.18 North American Championship Dog Sled Races

These are pictures of the third day of the 2007 Open North American Championship sleddog race in Fairbanks.
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  • This is from the north side of 2nd avenue, looking toward the post office where most of the teams parked. Beginning Thursday, the city had hauled in and graded enough snow for the sleds to run on 2nd Avenue. The teams and sleds were staged here,...

    This is from the north side of 2nd avenue, looking toward the post office where most of the teams parked. Beginning Thursday, the city had hauled in and graded enough snow for the sleds to run on 2nd Avenue. The teams and sleds were staged here,...

  • ...then taken about a block up to the starting line, held back by a snowmachine with good brakes.

    ...then taken about a block up to the starting line, held back by a snowmachine with good brakes.

  • The fast teams rated parking spots east of Cushman, just behind the starting line. These are sprint races with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday heats of 20, 20, and 30 miles respectively. Sprint race dogs are decidedly 'houndy,' and you're well down in the standings before you get to a dog with a recognizable husky mask, never mind an actual husky.

    The fast teams rated parking spots east of Cushman, just behind the starting line. These are sprint races with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday heats of 20, 20, and 30 miles respectively. Sprint race dogs are decidedly 'houndy,' and you're well down in the standings before you get to a dog with a recognizable husky mask, never mind an actual husky.

  • Friday, the teams started according to draw. Saturday by Friday's heat finishing order, Sunday in reverse order. Old time county fair dirt track stockcar races called this "Australian Pursuit," and all the crashes pleased the crowd. In dog racing, it compresses the finish in a very agreeable way for the spectators, and you can argue that the format gives an advantage to mushers who have the best control over their teams.

    Friday, the teams started according to draw. Saturday by Friday's heat finishing order, Sunday in reverse order. Old time county fair dirt track stockcar races called this "Australian Pursuit," and all the crashes pleased the crowd. In dog racing, it compresses the finish in a very agreeable way for the spectators, and you can argue that the format gives an advantage to mushers who have the best control over their teams.

  • The dogs lined out in front of the Co-op. Most teams had a handler for each pair of dogs, ...

    The dogs lined out in front of the Co-op. Most teams had a handler for each pair of dogs, ...

  • Untitled photo
  • This is how the photographers get the dramatic front cover shots.

    This is how the photographers get the dramatic front cover shots.

  • It's the time for the musher to walk the line of dogs, inspecting the rigging, and giving encouragement.

    It's the time for the musher to walk the line of dogs, inspecting the rigging, and giving encouragement.

  • "Houndy," I said.

    "Houndy," I said.

  • The countdown goes to zero every two minutes, and the musher jolts off westbound. This is Buddy Streeper from Fort Nelson, BC, fastest in the first two heats, last out today, the eventual overall winner. Egil Ellis' course record run wasn't enough to dig him out of the two-minute hole he'd dug Friday and Saturday.

    The countdown goes to zero every two minutes, and the musher jolts off westbound. This is Buddy Streeper from Fort Nelson, BC, fastest in the first two heats, last out today, the eventual overall winner. Egil Ellis' course record run wasn't enough to dig him out of the two-minute hole he'd dug Friday and Saturday.

  • and vanishes down past Big Ray's and the Alaska Trappers' fur auction stand.

    and vanishes down past Big Ray's and the Alaska Trappers' fur auction stand.

  • Modern sprint sleds. Next is filament-wound carbon fiber.

    Modern sprint sleds. Next is filament-wound carbon fiber.

  • At the end of 2nd Avenue, the course heads down a ramp right at the (new) Steese bridge onto the Chena. The course goes down the Chena to Noyes Slough, then to the College Road crossing at Danby Street and into the loops behind Creamers. Opposite in the photo is Graehl Park, a good place for an equinox barbecue and to watch the run to the finish. Especially Sunday. A beautiful day, and you could FEEL THE HEAT OF THE SUN ON YOUR SKIN.

    At the end of 2nd Avenue, the course heads down a ramp right at the (new) Steese bridge onto the Chena. The course goes down the Chena to Noyes Slough, then to the College Road crossing at Danby Street and into the loops behind Creamers. Opposite in the photo is Graehl Park, a good place for an equinox barbecue and to watch the run to the finish. Especially Sunday. A beautiful day, and you could FEEL THE HEAT OF THE SUN ON YOUR SKIN.

  • Sometimes, there would be two teams in view, even though this l-o-n-g shot makes it look kind of uninteresting.

    Sometimes, there would be two teams in view, even though this l-o-n-g shot makes it look kind of uninteresting.

  • Back up the ramp onto 2nd Avenue to the finish line downtown.

    Back up the ramp onto 2nd Avenue to the finish line downtown.

  • What follow are a bunch of pictures of what 2nd Avenue looked like during the races.

    What follow are a bunch of pictures of what 2nd Avenue looked like during the races.

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