Monday, January 22, 2024

2024 Kuskokwim 300 musher roster

We're nearly to the end of January and mushing fans know what that means! The premiere dog mushing event of the Kuskokwim Delta kicks off Thursday night with a full roster of mushers from all across Alaska. The Kuskokwim 300 is one of the most popular races with mushers seeming to race each other to the sign ups. Because of its location it also holds one of the smaller rosters of just 30 teams - many traveling to the West Coast of Alaska to attend. This year the roster filled up in less than a week, with several names on the wait list. 

As always, change happened from sign up day to the registration deadline, but the Kusko is ready to go with now twenty-three teams all highly competitive. The Kusko knows how to hold a dog race, and as the teams leave two at a time from the starting line and fireworks set off as the teams head off into the night, fans will religiously follow the trackers as the teams travel down the river. Will seven time champion Peter Kaiser rePETE an eighth time, or will the young upstart Raymond Alexie who wins just about every race he enters? With several past champions in the mix it is anyone's guess what will happen.

Bib draw isn't until Thursday, so for now we'll go with the list in order of sign ups. As with all of the musher rosters on the blog, it will be edited to reflect the bib numbers once they become available. Now, onto what you're really here for:

BibMusherKennelLinkLinkLink
1Joe TaylorMushing MalarkeyWebsiteFacebookInstagram
2Pete KaiserKaiser RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
3Josh McNealCrooked Creek KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
4Raymond AlexieAlexie Racing KennelFacebook
5Dave TurnerRacing ChaosFacebookInstagram
6John SnyderSnyder's KennelFacebook
7Hunter KeefeRedington's Mush AlaskaWebsiteFacebookInstagram
8Gabe DunhamEvermore AdventuresWebsiteFacebookInstagram
9Father Alexander LarsonLarson Kennel
10Matthew FailorAlaskan AdventuresWebsiteFacebookInstagram
11Jessica KlejkaTailwind KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
12Richie DiehlReal Diehl RacingFacebookInstagram
13Riley DycheDark Horse Sled DogsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
14KattiJo DeeterBlack Spruce Dog SleddingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
15Jason PavilaBad River KennelFacebookInstagram
16Bailey VitelloTeam BaileyWebsiteFacebookInstagram
17Dakota SchlosserSled Dog Systems RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
18Ryan RedingtonRedington MushingWebsiteFacebook
19Ebbe Winstrup PedersenPedersen Kennel?FacebookInstagram
20Jeff DeeterBlack Spruce Dog SleddingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
21Ramey SmythSmyth Racing TeamFacebook
22Isaac UnderwoodUnderwood Kennels
23Travis BealsTurning Heads KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
*Roster updated January 25, 2024 at 7:30pm to reflect final roster with bib numbers.

Who are you excited to cheer for? Who are you adding to your Fantasy Mushing Team? Predictions? Comment below with your thoughts!

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).

Monday, January 15, 2024

Brent Sass holds off Jessie Holmes to win Copper Basin

Brent Sass at finish with Ace and Slater.
Screencap from Kale Casey Live.
Brent Sass flew into the finish line a little before 3:15pm Alaska time Monday winning the 2024 Copper Basin 300. As the sun was setting along the mountain ridge fans watching in Glennallen as well as online (thanks to Kale Casey) Brent's bright parka came out through the trees and it was no doubt Wild and Free would be champion.

Sass didn't have much time for celebration under the arch, however, as Jessie Holmes came in just a minute or so later. Suddenly it meant much more sense why Brent was skipoling and running with his team into the finish. The champion crouched for a quick winner's picture with his team and the trophy before picking up and running out of the way for Jessie's to sign off the trail.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Brent would tell Kale Casey on the live feed regarding the footrace at the end against his friend and competitor Jessie.

Sass wasn't even supposed to race this weekend. The musher had announced around Christmas time that he was downsizing his racing schedule and Copper Basin was not in his plans, but at what seemed the last minute he reconsidered. Sass placed second in last weekend's Knik 200, coming in just seconds behind young phenom Emily Robinson. 

Sass and Holmes spent most of the Copper Basin leap frogging each other, and many knew they would be close together when they finished. The trackers, as on cue, went dark just two miles from the finish so it was anyone's guess if Jessie would overtake the 2022 Iditarod Champion. Brent kept a mile between them for the last 20 miles or so, and his team didn't slow even as they came into the finisher's chute.

Next up into the finish should be Cody Strathe from Squid Acres who has a nice cushion between he and the fourth and fifth place teams - which the race for fourth will be another nailbiter between Matt Hall and Paige Drobny. Teams will continue to come through the finish tonight and tomorrow morning. 


Sass leads with Holmes and Strathe right behind

Brent Sass just blew through the final checkpoint of Tolsana Lodge on his way to the finish line. Just a mile behind Sass is Jessie Holmes. Cody Strathe is also on the chase with just a mile or so between him and Holmes. 

Behind the chase "pack" are Matt Hall and Paige Drobny.

Tolsana's about to get busy with whiplash as the front runners go in and out to chase down Sass for the finish. Another close finish is in the works.

Friday, January 12, 2024

2024 Copper Basin 300 race preview

It's a big anniversary for the Copper Basin 300 this year as it will kick off the 35th race in Glennallen, Alaska on Saturday. The "toughest 300 miles" is a popular mid distance sled dog race by both fans and mushers. It always boasts a healthy roster even with its reputation to being positively frigid temperatures (there've been a few -50F and -60F degree races over the years). 

This year is no exception, though the roster has seen some changes and may see changes all the way up to the bib draw on Friday. A combination of musher injury and illness have kept some teams home this weekend, others having issues with logistics. 

This year mushers are banking on it being a "balmy" CB300. By balmy, the forecast has it around 0F at the time of the start with a high of 7F. That's somewhat unusual - we normally see it below zero. The mushers won't know what to do with themselves. Break out the tank tops and shorts. Snow is also forecast during the day with a 76% chance. The trails are set and groomed ahead of the race (in large part due to the Valdez Snowmachine Club) but even just an inch of new snow can change the course dramatically. Sunday sees partly sunny skies and a high of 16F, though on the river it will most likely be colder. For the finish on Monday we'll see the temps dip back down to a high of 6F. 

The Copper Basin 300 is also the opening race for Fantasy Mushers to choose teams and have a go at picking the perfect 7 teams to get them to the top of the score board. As always, we're going to try and guess who some of the teams are that will take top spot to maybe give some insight into who you'll want to put on your fantasy team.

Who to Watch

Cody Strathe & Paige Drobny - The pair from Squid Acres always head up teams that show a strong finish. Not knowing which one may have the "A-team" or if they are splitting the teams up equally leaves us to just put our bets on both of them. Never count out the squids.

Dallas Seavey - This name seems familiar somehow. Hmmm. All jokes aside, the five-time Iditarod Champion must have fallen in love with the idea of running this race after following along as a handler last year. While this is most likely being used as a training run, Dallas is very competitive - so look for a solid placement. His name on the roster will definitely make things interesting. Fans, though, may only be excited for him to run the race so they can catch a glimpse of *The Sweater*.

Jessie Holmes - Team Can't Stop - can't stop racing for the top prize. The sometime reality star, but always legit musher is always in the mix for top placement in the races he enters. Holmes exceeded just about every expectation last year when he ran just a couple of months after a near death experience when a house collapsed on him. This year he's fully recovered and no longer going to be the weak link in his team. 

Matt & Elke Hall - The former Yukon Quest Champion just merged his kennel with his new bride, going from "Smokin' Aces" Kennel to "Silver Ace Sled Dogs" combining both mushers' kennel names. Like the Squids it's possible both mushers will see their teams in top position, or one could be running the A team while the other has the "puppy team" - still, their both solid picks for your fantasy team.

Nicolas Petit - Nic "tried something new" in the Knik 200 and held his team to a schedule/slower pace. His "puppy team" run by Sarah Giles had to cut their race short last weekend due to the warm temps. Is it a new strategy for this season or was it a one and done? It's always hard to tell with Nic as he posts in riddles. 

Brent Sass - First he was going to CB300, then he announced around Christmas time he was enjoying running his remote trails and would be downsizing his race schedule and CB300 wasn't on his list, then Friday he posted "SURPRISE!" on Facebook announcing that he is in fact running the race this weekend. He came in second place last weekend at the Knik 200 losing to Jr. Musher Emily Robinson. This race is more Brent's style, though it is promising a little warmer than normal. Expect Brent to be in front running to the finish line.

Ryan Redington decided not to run the Copper Basin and elected to give his spot to Hunter Keefe. Hunter should have a solid finish here as well. Calvin Daugherty is running a team out of Mitch Seavey's kennel and would be a good bet for fantasy mushing teams to choose as Calvin's goal will be keeping the team together and having good runs. 

But how can you watch if you aren't right there with the action? Glad you asked...

How to Follow

Copper Basin has several areas where cars cant go and satellites can't find. There's a remote checkpoint that almost no instant communication comes out of. Still, CB300's all volunteer team keep race fans well informed. Here are the ways fans can follow the race this year.

GPS Tracker
TrackLeaders.com is once again supplying all of our GPS tracking obsession needs, you can find this year's map and teams here.

Radio Broadcast
KCAM Radio will broadcast the start beginning at 10am (or shortly before). If you're in the area you can listen to the broadcast on AM 790, or online through this link.

Kale Casey LIVE
That's right, your FAVORITE live stream of any dog mushing race will be covering the action of this year's Copper Basin 300. Kale left it up to the fans to choose if he would make the long drive over to Glennallen by holding an impromptu funds campaign and hit the goal within minutes. The mushing community LOVE Kale, and for good reason. He will certainly keep you entertained and excited to watch. Be sure to catch when he goes live by following his page on Facebook! And don't forget to buy him a coffee or two. Kale plans to go LIVE at the start an hour before the first team leaves, so tune in around 9am Alaska Time (and tell him I say hi)!

Social Media
Updates will most likely be posted on the race's Facebook page, and possibly their twitter account. There may even be live video feeds, but there's been no promise that systems will work for the whole start. If you are tweeting, instagramming, etc. the traditional hashtag is #CB300.

KCAM normally posts updates throughout the weekend on the race on Facebook as well. KTUU/Alaska's News Source is always good for a recap of the races.


Schedule of Events

Friday, January 12
10am-4pm Registration and Mandatory Vet Checks
5:30pm Mandatory Handler Meeting
6pm Mandatory Musher Meeting & Bib Draw
*Rookie Meeting follows directly after Bib Draw*

Saturday, January 13
10am - Race Start

Tuesday, January 16
6pm - Award Banquet


Will you be watching? Who are you hoping takes the win? Comment below with your thoughts!

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).

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

2024 Copper Basin 300 musher roster

The "hardest 300 mile" sled dog race is this weekend and it has a healthy roster of veterans and newbies alike. While all of the mushers have many miles under their belts, there's a big gap between experiences. We have a couple of Iditarod Champions, several rookies, and all those in between. Famous family names, a couple of "reality stars" (who are more than just an Alaskan version of the Kardashians)... and all of them are gearing up for a 300 miles race known for its tough trails and frigid cold temps.

We'll discuss that all in the race preview in the coming days, but let's look at the roster as it stands. Note that if you go to the race's web page they still have withdrawn mushers listed, but this roster has taken them off - as well as two names that have announced on their social media pages that they are not planning to run after all (Brent Sass and Matt Randall). So this roster may not look like the official one, however once bib numbers are drawn we'll know who all will be racing and the roster will be updated on the blog to reflect those changes.

Without further adieu:

Honorary Musher (Bib 1) Tim Taylor
BibMusherKennelLinkLinkLink
2Daniel KleinRedington MushingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
3Jacob WitkopPiledriver KennelFacebookInstagram
4Hunter KeefeRedington Mush AlaskaWebsiteFacebookInstagram
5Nicholas PetitTeam Petit RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
6Kelsey WintersCan't Stop Racing Kennel?FacebookInstagram
7Sadie LindquistSeavey's IdidarideWebsiteFacebookInstagram
8Lara KittelsonSeavey's IdidarideWebsiteFacebookInstagram
9Cody StratheSquid AcresWebsiteFacebookInstagram
10Kristy BeringtonSeeing Double RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
11Joey SabinVOA RacinWebsiteFacebookInstagram
12Emily FordShameless HuskiesWebsiteFacebookInstagram
13Tony AngeloBella KennelFacebook
14Jessie HolmesCan't Stop Racing KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
15Matt HallSilver Ace Sled DogsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
16Justin OlnesReRun KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
17Josi ThyrThere & Back Again Sled DogsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
18Samantha LaLondeDallas Seavey RacingFacebookInstagram
19Sydnie BahlDream a Dream KennelWebsiteFacebook
20Elke HallSilver Ace Sled DogsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
21Dallas SeaveyDallas Seavey RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
22Jonah BaconNautique Sky KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
23Treven HunterDallas Seavey RacingFacebookInstagram
24Michael DolinarHappy Trails KennelFacebookInstagram
25Misha WiljesWW KennelWebsiteFacebook
26Lauro EklundSkookum ExpeditionsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
27Annette LlanesHonky Tonk KennelFacebookInstagram
28Paige DrobnySquid AcresWebsiteFacebookInstagram
29Michael ParkerNorthern Whites KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
30Sean WilliamsAlaska Mushing SchoolWebsiteFacebookInstagram
31Brent SassWild & Free RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
32Matt PaveglioWerewolf MushingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
33Calvin DaughertySeavey's IdidarideWebsiteFacebookInstagram

Edited 8:30pm January 12.

Who are you excited to see on the list? Predictions? Comment below with your thoughts and who you're cheering for!



And, as always, you can Buy me a slice of pizza to help keep the blog up and running. It's always appreciated but never expected.  

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Junior musher Emily Robinson defeats Iditarod Champion Sass

Emily Robinson with lead dogs Vickie & Urchin 
at the finish of the Knik 200.
Screencap from Kale Casey Livefeed
In a finish very few saw coming, but most hoped for, Junior Musher Emily Robinson was first into the Knik 200 finish line Sunday afternoon. The teen was all smiles as her team ran under the Knik 200 banner and the crowd realized that it wasn't the 2022 Iditarod Champion Brent Sass as expected but the kid who won the race. 

Brent Sass led on the tracker for most of the second loop, having been passed by Emily before coming into the final checkpoint - though he regained the lead shortly after. As the teams came toward Knik Lake it was evident Emily was gaining on the champion team, but was quickly running out of real estate. In her post race interview with Kale Casey the young musher said that it was a foot race to the finish with both mushers "calling up" their team to encourage a little more speed - and Robinson Racing had that speed in the last mile.

The second day of the Knik 200 saw warmer temperatures, winds blew in late Saturday night and with them temps in the low 30s. There were seven scratches by noon Sunday, several due to musher injury and at least one wrong turn. Sunday afternoon saw another scratch, the weather possibly taking its toll as many of the teams were from the interior where training has been in the negative temperatures. Still the top two teams running were also from up north and seemed to handle the conditions just fine.

Ryan Redington who ran the first loop in the lead managed to hold onto third place - a placement not many expected when he took off Saturday morning considering he was running a bunch of young dogs, but after their 100 mile loop he left a few with handlers and took a smaller team into an even more competitive run. The reigning Iditarod champion was enjoying running dogs on a sled instead of an atv and no doubt was proud to see what his little team could do. Wade Marrs, running Ryan's A team, was given the go ahead before the race started to run the team however he wanted - so he ran them conservatively out of respect for wanting to preserve the team for Ryan's racing season.

Teams will continue to come into the finish, but the top six are all in.


It's not often that junior mushers get to run in 200 mile or more races, and in the Knik junior mushers must have completed at least two 150 mile junior races and proven they can handle a team on their own. There were two junior mushers in the Knik 200 field, Robinson and Isaac Redington. Both are signed up to run the Jr. Iditarod next month.

Sass 20 miles from a win, Robinson hot on his heels

In a confusing morning of watching trackers, where backtracking teams made it look like they were speeddemons and winning a race they'd just restarted hours earlier, it seems most are back on track now and it's Brent Sass who leads the Knik 200. The 2022 Champion was first out of the halfway point early this morning, but just seven minutes behind was Jr Champion and superstar Emily Robinson (yes, this blog has become a full on Robinson stan). Robinson has now closed that gap to less than three minutes - and at one point early on in the run to Eagle Quest 2 was leading - with several hours of mushing still to go it isn't a sure deal who will come first.

Fans woke with confusion when they saw Ed Hopkins already heading into the finish with what the tracker said was an over 30 mile lead on Brent and Emily. What many didn't factor in was that the tracker was only going off of what the map was telling it - with a two loop race course - Hopkins turning around nearly 20 miles into the second loop caused all sorts of problems. Not to worry, however, musher and dogs returned to Knik Lake and are now showing as officially scratched. According to Kale Casey an official statement from the race will come later today.

Dave Turner, Josh McNeal, Joshua Ribbons, Matt Failor, Jessi Downy, and Sarah Giles also scratched today. No official statements out of the kennels yet as to official reasons, but with the temperatures above freezing (it's supposed to be a mix of rain and snow today now) it could be that no one is having much fun. Welfare of the team is always first and foremost.

There are still 31 teams out on the trail, and a champion should finish mid afternoon. 

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Redington first into the halfway point

Knik Lake is bustling with activity tonight as teams come charging into the checkpoint and their mandatory six hour (plus time differential) rest. First in was Iditarod Champion Ryan Redington driving a "young team". Redington was a wildcard in the race when it was revealed he was giving his A team to Wade Marrs to run while he took a "puppy" team out. According to Ryan's kennel page, the puppy team is actually a few of his young dogs combined with some dogs out of his father's kennel - so not an entirely green team... well... other than the Ryan Redington Green.

By 9pm the first ten teams were into the checkpoint - joining Redington were Josh McNeal, Ed Hopkins, Amanda Otto, Dave Turner, Brent Sass, Emily Robinson, Michelle Phillips, Eddie Burke Jr, and Travis Beals. 

Because of start order, Brent Sass should be first out of the checkpoint at 2:32 Sunday Morning, just seven minutes behind him will be Jr. Mushing superstar Emily Robinson. The junior musher has dominated many of the races she's entered both junior and combined. According to her racing kennel page this is her "biggest race to date", but it doesn't seem to have fazed her as she isn't just hanging in there with the big dawgs, she's dominating. At the start Saturday Morning fans noticed her controlled demeanor and focus. 

Teams will continue to come through the late night and should all be in by the time teams start to leave early Sunday morning. You can keep up with in and out times from the Knik 200's spread sheet.

There was one scratch today, Matt Randall was forced to scratch after sustaining a "race ending" knee injury. Randall was working on his Iditarod qualifiers, and the Knik 200 was going to complete his requirements. 

There's about five hours left before the race starts up again and takes it to the next level. Once the mandatory rest is complete the playing field will be level and it will be whoever is first across the finish line who wins. 


Redington leads Knik 200 into first checkpoint

The "puppy team" of Ryan Redington came into Eagle Quest 1 Checkpoint alongside Josh McNeal's team at 1:55pm Alaska time. At about 45 miles into the 200 mile race, it's far from a declaration of his intentions, but it still had people talking for much of the day as they watched Ryan's tracker stay in the lead or very close to it.

Ed Hopkins rounded out the first three into the checkpoint just three minutes behind. Ryan had the fastest time into the checkpoint by about three minutes when you factored in the time differential. Redington reportedly grabbed straw and plans to camp somewhere in the 55 miles from the checkpoint to the halfway point back on Knik Lake where a mandatory 6hr+time differential rest awaits the teams.

Redington's team is made up of a combination of young dogs from his kennel plus dogs from his dad's kennel as well as one from Hunter Keefe. While it's still not sure what Ryan's plans are, it looks like he'll fall back a bit once he decides where to camp on the trail. 

The front runners are at least 4.5 hours until the halfway point judging by trackers. It'll be an early morning start tomorrow for many off of their differential. 

Kale Casey LIVE at the Knik 200

Kale's uploaded the rebroadcast on YOUTUBE!



Make sure to BUY KALE A COFFEE to thank him for all he does to bring these races LIVE to us!