Winterfest kicks off with mushing and skijoring
Nome Winterfest launched itself into the teeth of the storm Saturday but managed to get in some events before the weather got serious. There were four-mile mushing races for teams of three to six dogs and skijoring, sponsored by the Nome Kennel Club. The idea, according to organizer Sarah Richards, is to have more events for people who have only a few dogs or even a single dog. “We’re doing like a community engagement, trying to do more community events geared for people who just have a few dogs,” said Richards. “Skijoring, bikejoring or recreational mushing. That’s the hope.”
The weather at starting time Saturday was a reasonable 6°F but temperatures rose quickly as wind and blowing snow kicked in. As a result, the weight pull event scheduled for 3 p.m. was postponed until next week. The events scheduled for Sunday, March 7 were also moved to next Sunday. They included junior sled dog races and sled dog rides.
“It only takes a couple dogs if you want to go skijoring,” said Keane Richards after finishing the skijor event. “But it takes a whole team if you want to go out and run 40 or 90 or 1,000-miles. It’s a different ballgame for people who just have a couple or a few dogs.” Richards said he likes to head out into the country and on a downhill or when he wants to explore through the willows he can turn the dogs loose to run and play on their own. Then when he’s ready to hook them back up they’re ready to skijor again. “It’s a fun way to not always be attached to the dog team,” he said.
Winterfest results for Saturday, Mar. 6
3-6 dog, 4-miles : 1) Sarah Richards 20:02; 2) Jessica Lemaire 23:38; 3) Valerie Fuller 26:19; 4) Logan Huff 27:20; 5) Garrick Fuller 29:41; 6) Sam Pollee 29:56
1-2 dog skijor, 4-mile race: 1) Tim Lemaire 23:09; 2) Keane Richards 23:26; 3) Valerie Fuller 37:45; 4) Sarah Richards 39:27; 5) Logan Huff 41:13; 6) Sara Germain 48:48; 7) Luke Henslee 48:48; 8) Neil Strandberg 1:04:15