Sunday, February 20, 2022

2022 Iditarod Musher Roster

Here we go, folks! The moment we've all been waiting for IDITAROD 50 IS UPON US! In just a few days time we will all forget the world outside of GPS trackers and sled dogs exists. It is THE most WONDERFUL time of the year! There are 49 names on the roster after seeing 63 sign up. Many reasons, as always, for pre-race withdrawal. Some to do with the Covid policy (all participants must be vaccinated), to logistics (travel restrictions and bans are still in place for some areas), to financial, and just not emotionally prepared. Still, 49 is a solid number for the historic 50th running of the last great race and we are here for it.

As always, I will list the teams as they are listed on the Iditarod's sign up roster until after the Bib Draw when I will reorganize it to reflect starting position. I will be in Anchorage when they are announced so the edit may be delayed, but we'll get it up as soon as possible.

The roster reflects the most recent update from February 19, 2022. Bib Numbers will be added after March 3, 2022. Bib numbers were chosen electronically again this year and announced yesterday (February 26, 2022). This year, based on feedback from readers, I've added kennel names where possible. If you see something that needs correcting let me know! 


Iditarod 50 Mushers

BibMusherKennelStatusLinkLinkLinkLink
2Sean WilliamsHappy TrailsRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagram
3Nicolas PetitTeam PetitVeteranWebsiteFacebookTwitter
4Michelle PhillipsTagish Lake KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
5Paige DrobnySquid AcresVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
6Martin MassicotteChenil des PatriotesRookieFacebook
7Jessie HolmesTeam Can't Stop RacingVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
8Ramey SmythHomestretch KennelVeteranFacebook
9Anna BeringtonSeeing Double KennelVeteranWebsiteInstagram
10Matthew Failor17th DogVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
11Mats PetterssonKiruna Sled Dog ToursVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
12Joar Leifseth UlsomSivo Racing KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
13Hanna LyrekTeam Lyrek KennelRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagram
14Eric KellyDaybreak MushingRookieFacebookInstagram
15Riley DycheDarkhorse Sled DogsVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
16Lev ShvartsTeam OllieVeteranWebsiteFacebook
17Ryan RedingtonRedington MushingVeteranWebsiteFacebook
18Richie DiehlReal Diehl RacingVeteranFacebook
19KattiJo DeeterBlack Spruce KennelRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
20Dallas SeaveyDallas Seavey RacingVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
21Aaron PeckElevation Sled DogsVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
22Joe TaylorMushing MalarkeyRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagram
23Aaron BurmeisterAlaskan Wildstyle RacingVeteranFacebook
24Kristy BeringtonSeeing Double KennelVeteranWebsiteInstagram
25Deke NaaktgeborenNautique Sky KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
26Anja RadanoSwamp Dawg KennelVeteranFacebookInstagram
27Brent SassWild and FreeVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
28Dan KaduceDew Claw KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
29Julie AhnenTeam Can't Stop RacingRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagram
30Mitch SeaveyIdidaride Sled Dog ToursVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
31Matt HallSmokin Aces KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
32Amanda OttoHusky HomesteadRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagram
33Mille PorsildTeam Racing BeringiaVeteranWebsiteFacebook
34Jeff DeeterBlack Spruce KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
35Ryne OlsonRyno KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
36Bridgett WatkinsKennel on a HillRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagram
37Peter KaiserKaiser RacingVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
38Martin BuserHappy Trails KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
39Gerhardt ThiartSeavey's IdidarideRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagram
40Karin HendricksonBlue and Black RacingVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
41Kailyn DavisStump Jumpin' KennelRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagram
42Travis BealsTurning Heads KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
43Lisbet NorrisAlaskan KennelsVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
44Sebastien Dos Santos BorgesPolar TeamRookieWebsiteFacebookInstagram
45Joshua McNealCrooked Creek KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
46Chad StoddardDallas Seavey RacingVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagram
47Apayauq ReitanSivo Racing KennelVeteranWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter
48Matt PaveglioTeam DEEterminedRookieFacebookInstagram
49Yuka HondaGinga Express KennelVeteran
50Hugh NeffLanier's Northern WhitesVeteranFacebookInstagram

Comment below with any thoughts about the roster, or any corrections. If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).

Saturday, February 19, 2022

2022 Yukon Quest (Canada Side) Musher Rosters

Once again I am hastily finishing up this list the day of the race, but here they are. Like the Alaska side of the Quest, the Canadian side had small rosters so I'm including both races. You can follow the race via trackleaders as always, and of course check out the official website and facebook page for all the latest greatest information. I apologize for not doing another write up. I could list a bunch of reasons why but that may have to be a separate blog post. Thanks for hanging in with me! Now onto the rosters!

As always, comment below with any thoughts about the roster, or any corrections. If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).


YQ300

1 Sebastian Dos Santos Borges (Polar Team) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
2 Brent Sass (Wild & Free Kennel) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
3 Mayla Hill (Elevation Dogs Kennel) - Facebook / Kennel Facebook / Instagram
4 Connor McMahon (Feral Racing Kennel) - Facebook / Instagram
5 Paul Hamlyn (Braveheart Adventures) - Facebook
6 Aaron Peck (Elevation Dogs Kennel) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
7 Deke Naaktegeboren (Nautique Sky Kennel) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
8 Jerry Joinson (Bar-King Sled Dog Kennel) - Facebook
9 Michelle Phillips (Tagish Lake Kennel) - Website / Facebook / Instagram

YQ100

21 - Ilana Kingsley (StinkyPup Kennel) - Website / Facebook / Instagram 
22 - Jonathon Alsberghe (The Fluffy Team) - Facebook / Instagram
23 - Martine Le Levier (Looping Kennel) - can't find an online presence
24 - Nathaniel Hamlyn (Step Up Kennels) - Facebook / Instagram
25 - Katherine Lapointe (Wonder Dog Sledding) - Facebook / Instagram
26 - Lori Tweddell (Echoes Kennel) - Website / Facebook 
27 - Louve Tweddell (Echoes Kennel) - 
Website / Facebook 

Saturday, February 5, 2022

2022 Yukon Quest (Alaska Side) Musher Rosters

Oh, my, what a strange world we live in. The Quest has structured and restructured their race to make it work for the 2022 season in a world of Covid so many times the head spins trying to keep it all straight. What should be a 550 race is now a 350ish race. It's taking off and ending in Fairbanks instead of the many other starting points they expected to use (at one point my cousin's hometown of Tok was going to host the start). Because the roster is so small for the 350 I am also including the 200. I believe both are able to be used as qualifiers for Iditarod and future Quest races. Because the Quest's website was being difficult, I took the lists from the TrackLeaders site, which I believe is in bib order. As always, comment below with any thoughts about the roster, or any corrections. If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).

YQ 350

Jennifer Labarr - WebsiteFacebook / Instagram
Cody Strathe - Website / Facebook / Instagram
Matt Hall - Website / Facebook / Instagram 
Misha Wiljes - Website / Facebook
Brent Sass - Website / Facebook / Instagram
Rob Cooke - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Deke Naaktgeboren - Website / Facebook / Instagram


YQ 200

Simon Mettler (Ryno Kennel) - Facebook / Kennel Facebook / Instagram 
Matt Sprau (Dew Claw Kennel) - Facebook / Kennel Facebook 
Dylan Robins - Facebook / Instagram
Shaynee Traska - Website / Facebook / Instagram
Amanda Otto (Husky Homestead) - Facebook / Kennel Facebook / Instagram 
DJ Starr - Facebook 
Dan Kaduce - Website / Facebook / Instagram
Connor McMahon - Facebook / Instagram
Yuka Honda - Is Yuka not online?! 
Justin Olnes (Stump Jumpin Kennel) - Facebook / Kennel Facebook / Instagram
Lauro Eklund - Website / Facebook / Facebook 2 / Instagram / Instagram 2

Thursday, February 3, 2022

2022 Caledonia Classic Musher Roster

After a BIG week of races we're jumping right into the next weekend full of races. First up is a small but well loved 200 mile race the Caledonia Classic. This is a qualifier for both Iditarod and Yukon Quest. Since the roster is so small I am also doing the 100 mile roster (not a qualifier). I won't be doing a preview ahead of this race you you'll want to keep up to date with the race through their website and facebook group. Perhaps things will slow down by next year and I'll have the ability to keep up with everything a little more. Without further rambling, here are the rosters with the links. And, as always, comment below with any thoughts about the roster, or any corrections. If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).

200 Mile
Jerry Joinson - Facebook
​Krys March - Facebook / Instagram
​Anna Bolvin - Facebook / Instagram
Mayla Hill - Facebook
Aaron Peck - Website / Facebook / Instagram
​Max Berthou-Quéau - can't find an online/social media presence. 

100 Mile
Marcel Marin - Facebook
Britta Hanks - Facebook
Jody Verge - Facebook
Eric Marsden - can't find correct online/social media links.
Jeff Hill - Facebook
Silus Godber - Facebook
Megan McCullough - Facebook

Wishing "mush" luck to all of the teams this weekend!

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

February 2 is Sled Dog Day

I don't know who made it an official holiday, but today is Sled Dog Day. Figured I would celebrate the day by sharing some of my favorite sled dog shots from the last 18 years. Be warned, this will be a photo heavy post. So without further adieu (as we all know, a photo is worth 1000 words anyway) here they come:

The first sled dog shot I ever shared on my blog. Only fitting it
is the first one I share on this post. This is from the 2006? Iditarod.

To save on bandwidth and space, I'll put the rest under a cut:

Sunday, January 30, 2022

It's a 6-peat for Pete Kaiser

Peter Kaiser of Bethel, Alaska has reclaimed his title of Kuskokwim 300 Champion this morning as he crossed the finish in a fast and strongly contested race for the win. The "King of the Kusko" managed to keep 2019 Kusko Champ Matt Failor and 2021 Champ Richie Diehl behind him in the last leg of the race. Friends and roomies Failor and Diehl would duke it out for second place, with Travis Beals hot on their heels trying to play spoiler. 

Kaiser and team were met by Kaiser's daughter running up to give her dad a big hug. An enthusiastic crowd welcomed their hometown hero home. The trail this year was a fast one with very little weather issues - though Pete Kaiser's team got turned around coming into Aniak. With Pete's sixth win he is now the second most winning musher of the Kusko, with only 3 more wins to tie Jeff King's 9-time record.

Matt Failor and Richie Diehl came in 2nd and 3rd respectively with Travis Beals fourth and Joar Leifseth Ulsom rounding out the top five. Cim Smyth is the 6th musher in. Aaron Burmeister should come in soon.

Livefeed of the 2022 Kusko 300 Finish

Friday, January 28, 2022

2022 John Beargrease Race Preview

Mushing fans are getting a lot of mushing in this weekend. The Kusko begins tonight in Bethel, the Pedigree Stage Stop starts in earnest Saturday, and the John Beargrease will take off from Duluth, Minnesota Sunday morning. (There's also the Willow 300 set for Monday, January 31.) But for fans in the Lower 48, their mini Iditarod is where the action is. The John Beargrease is the premiere sled dog marathon in "the States" and has become more and more popular in recent years. The field set for Sunday is a good mix of veterans and rookies, and the weather looks to be just about perfect for the start (if not a bit warm). 

Weather predicted for the start is 10F and partly sunny. Spectators won't have to freeze to cheer on their teams. 23 teams are signed up. Several past champions are back to try their hand at another chance to win. A prominent Iditarod musher is running their rookie Beargrease this year - having recently moved from Alaska to the Lower 48. Some rookies are looking for redemption after having to scratch in previous Beargrease runs. Other teams are looking to improve their standings. All are ready to have another fun adventure with their team.

So which teams should we keep an eye on? I'll admit I am not as familiar with this race and most of these teams as I am with races and teams in Alaska. I'm still learning, but there are some sure bets if you're still working on your Fantasy Mushing team.

Blake Freking - The two-time Beargrease champion most recently won in 2019. The Freking's have an amazing program often a hybrid of Siberians and Alaskans running in their team. Look for Blake to really push to be a front runner, maybe not in the first leg, but he'll stay competitive throughout the race and can make a move when possible.

Erin Letzring - The reigning champion came as a surprise to many fans who didn't realize the musher was no rookie with winning. Erin grew up with mushing and was married to Beargrease champion Ryan Redington. Some of her team were from the kennel she shared with Ryan. When they split, they also split the kennel. Erin and Ryan battled it out for the win last year, and look for a repeat of that this year.

Laura Neese - Laura is the front running musher for Nature's Kennel and has racked up a lot of miles in the last 7 years. She is competitive, and takes great care of her crew. She is my outside chance to take the race, and it's probably a long shot with all of the seasoned champions on this list, but don't count her out. If nothing else, she should be able to get you some solid points for your fantasy team.

Nathan Schroeder - The four-time Beargrease champion last won in 2016. The DoodleDog Kennel trained hard this season and it wouldn't be surprising to see Nathan challenge for the top spot. Schroeder has better luck with the Beargrease than he does Iditarod (he's gone backwards in the standings, but hasn't run it since 2017). 

Ryan Anderson - The three-time champion is once again taking on the marathon. Ryan's last win was 2017, so he's due another win. Anderson traded wins with Schroeder before Redington started winning, so it will be an interesting battle between all of the teams. How it all shakes out will make for an exciting race.

Ryan Redington - The grandson of the Father of the Iditarod has his eyes squarely set on Iditarod 50. With no Redington having won Joe's race, the pressure has built to a substantial level for the 50th anniversary. Ryan is running this season calling it "Redington's Run" (taking from the Hobo Jim song with the same title that the balladeer wrote after Joe Sr.'s passing in 2002.) Redington was dealt a blow in training a few weeks ago when he and his team were attacked by an unknown assailant on a snowmachine (sorry, outsiders, I just can't call it a snowmobile). Time will tell how that affects his race on the Beargrease trail. Redington is a two-time Beargrease champion.

Wade Marrs - While rookie sits next to his name on this race, Wade is no rookie when it comes to sled dog races. Marrs is coming off a 4th place finish in Iditarod 2021 and a recent move to the states. Marrs is sitting out the 2022 Iditarod due to their Covid-19 Policy requiring all participants to be vaccinated, so the Beargrease is Marrs' big event of the season. Wade has trained with Ryan Redington quite a bit this season and no doubt has gleaned some info from the champion racer. Expect Wade to play spoiler for many teams in this race.

How to Follow
It's unclear if there will be a livefeed of the start/finish. Last year both QRillPAWS and local news affiliate WDIO shared the start. There is a graphic on the official website saying "watch the race - coming soon" which I would take to mean that there will be something, but clicking it just takes you to the main page of the website. I'll keep looking and will update the blog if I find anything. (I do see on another page in the website that Mushing Midwest! will supply a livefeed. When I find the link I'll post it.)

GPS Tracker
With the Beargrease being partnered with Qrill Pets as part of the Qrill PAWS, the last couple of years the race has had two sets of trackers, one through our beloved Track Leaders, and the QrillPAWS system. I'm not finding any info on QPAWS this year, but they do have the trackleaders link up and ready to go come Sunday. 

Social Media
As with most sled dog races, the Beargrease is fairly active on their facebook page and they do have a twitter account though it isn't very active. And for a few pics check them out on Instagram




Schedule of Events

Saturday, January 29
8am-1:00pm Vet Checks
3pm-ish? Handler & Musher Meetings (Bib Draw)

Sunday, January 30
8am - Musher Meet & Greet
10am - Race Start


Comment below with any thoughts about who you think are favored to win. If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).

2022 Kusko LIVEFEED from KYUK