Whitehorse Daily Star

Image title

Photo by Whitehorse Star

A NEW LEAGUE – Musher Jon Lucas has created a new dog mushing league called the Yukon Brewing Copper Haul League for inexperienced dog mushers to try their hand at races.

Image title

Photo by Whitehorse Star

OLD BECOMES NEW – The Yukon Brewing Copper Haul League is a reprisal of the league that was held from 2004- 2010. Pictured, Alexandra Rochat mushes her team at the start of the Copper Haul Twister in March 2010.

New dog sled race introduced

Local musher Jon Lucas is organizing a new dog mushing circuit dubbed the Yukon Brewing Copper Haul League.

By John Tonin on December 1, 2020

Local musher Jon Lucas is organizing a new dog mushing circuit dubbed the Yukon Brewing Copper Haul League.

The qualifying race will be held this Saturday, weather permitting, at 11 a.m. on the Copper Haul Trail in Whitehorse, starting at the Gazebo overlooking McIntyre Marsh on the Fish Lake Road (kilometre four).

The goal of the league, said Lucas, is to get back to the roots of racing by bringing inexperienced racers into the fold.

“There didn’t seem to be many races for the new and inexperienced dogs and humans this year,” said Lucas. “An easier way to get experience is to attend a race or two where the stakes are very low, competitive edges can be relaxed, and we can all work on our trail etiquette, especially passing.

“Then, when a bigger and more expensive race comes along, everyone can be a little more confident about moving up – although it’s important to point out, we are working with animals, and the unexpected does happen.”

Lucas said before the race begins, he will spend time with each musher explaining the passing rules, some general education and safety guidelines – all the while being COVID-compliant.

“You have to accept being passed,” said Lucas. “It can be something even experienced mushers have trouble with.”

Although Lucas wants to attract new people to the sport, the League is open to all mushers.

“The races are designed for novice and experienced person alike, to race in a relaxed atmosphere where experience and knowledge can be gained by all ages with all dogs,” said Lucas. “No pressure – turn up, stay two huskies apart… there’ll be a few around to measure against.”

To make the races fair, Lucas will be implementing a time penalty based on the time a musher beats their fellow competitors.

“The League races are handicap races, times adjusted by previous performance,” said Lucas. “Supposedly slower teams will be on a level playing field with the supposedly faster teams.”

A cash prize of $30 for first place will be up for grabs during the qualifier, second and third will also receive some money. Finishers after that will receive a choice of human or dog food from local farms and processors.

Once the League begins, a points system will be instituted, first gets 10, second nine, third eight, and so on.

“The total points earned by each musher will be totalled after the third race and the League winner will be the musher with the highest total,” said Lucas.

All the races will be run at the same location. The League race trail is straight down the Copper Haul for five miles, a right turn, a short climb, a second right turn for a mile or so of bush trail before returning to the Copper Haul for the three miles to the finish.

On sleds, teams can be four to six dogs and for skijorers one to four dogs.

The League will also feature Kids and Pet Dog races. Lucas said the kids races are to get the younger generation involved earlier in the sport.

“We would like to encourage the next generation of working dog people with the Kids race,” he said.

The Pet Dog category does not include old, or not-very-fast sled dogs, said Lucas.

“The Pet Dog race is to show people all dogs can work,” said Lucas.

“You could do the race with a pug carried in your jacket if you wanted.”

Any safe mode of transport, sled, running, fat bike or skis, are accepted. The two races are three kilometres.

The qualifier Saturday is weather-dependent, and Lucas said he will be making the call on Friday.

League races will begin in the new year, in January, February and March. Lucas said he is waiting to determine the dates because he doesn’t want any overlap with any of the other dog mushing organization’s races.

Through 2004-2010, Lucas said, there was a similar league run that was taken over by the Dog Powered Sports Association of Yukon.

“We are reprising the old Copper Haul League,” he said.

Comments (1)

Up 6 Down 0

Gene Ennis on Dec 1, 2020 at 4:01 pm

Great job Jon, We need new sprinters to help keep the sport alive. Now is the time to try this amazing sport...

Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar

In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.

Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.