Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by John Tonin

ON THE TRAIL – Ed Hopkins and his sled dog team round a bend during the Dog Powered Sports Association of Yukon Carbon Hill 10-mile, a six- to eight-dog race Sunday at the Mount Lorne Community Centre.

Carbon Hill brings out the mushers

The Dog Powered Sports Association of Yukon (DPSAY) held its second race of the winter season, Carbon Hill, Saturday at the Mount Lorne Community Centre.

By John Tonin on January 14, 2021

The Dog Powered Sports Association of Yukon (DPSAY) held its second race of the winter season, Carbon Hill, Saturday at the Mount Lorne Community Centre.

Nathaniel Hamlyn, a DPSAY board member and race organizer, said the races went well.

"We had a good turnout," said Hamlyn. "It was a weird situation because we didn't want too many people. Carbon Hill usually has four different races – a 36, 10, and six-mile race plus a kicksled.

"There was the issue of space for parking plus COVID-19 restrictions."

Hamlyn said DPSAY received emails from people disappointed that the shorter races were not run this year.

"It shows the demand is high, which is nice to see," said Hamlyn. "Everyone has to start somewhere, and training is what these races are all about."

On Sunday, the 36- and 10-mile races were run.

Results:

The 36-mile mushers raced with teams of eight. The category had 10 dog teams competing.

Martine Le Levier posted the fastest time of three hours, five minutes and 54 seconds. Second place belonged to Ed Hopkins, who finished in three hours, six minutes and 26 seconds. Connor McMahon rounded out the top three.

For the 10-mile race, mushers could use a sled and have six to eight dogs on line. Or, they could skijor with two to four dogs.

Jerry Joinson, running a sled, was the quickest musher, finishing in 36 minutes even. Skijor musher Virginia Sarrazin came second, only 52 seconds behind Joinson. Maria Metzen raced to the third-place position.

The next DPSAY race scheduled is the big one – the Yukon Journey 450 from Dawson City to Whitehorse, beginning Feb. 21.

Mushers have until Friday to register for either the full 450 miles or the shorter 250 and 200-mile races.

The last update on the Yukon Journey 450 registration was on Jan. 2 on the DPSAY Facebook page. There are seven mushers registered for the 450-mile race and two for the 200 miles.

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