Those Official Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer Poker Run and First Mate Freight Pull results in full

FIRST MATE EXTREME FREIGHT PULL

Lightweight

1 - Zoya - Canadian Eskimo Dog - Janet Keller - 240lb

2 - Cash - Husky - Dave Desmarais - 160lb

3 - Ribs - Husky - Ray Zaidan - 120lb

Mediumweight

1 - Asha - Rottweillor - Jon Lucas - 480lb

2 - Aklak - Bouvier - Dave Desmarais - 440lb

3 - Keno - Husky - Heather Desmarais - 320lb

4 - Timber - Husky - Debbie Last - 200lb

Heavyweight

1 - Puck - Rottweillor - Laura Jane Lucas - 200lb

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer Poker Run (4-12 dog sleds)

Times

1 - Luc Tweddell - 8 dogs - 1.51.02

2 - Martine Lelevier - 8 - 1.52.09

3 - Maren Bradley - 8 - 1.59.36

4 - Marcelle Fressinau - 8 - 2.00.28

5 - Darrell Otto - 10 - 2.04.40

6 - David Mason - 8 - 2.05.34 - - - - First in the money

7 - Crispin Studer - 10 - 2.06.54

8 - Pierre Duc - 7 - 2.07.02 - - - - -Second in the money

9 - Susie Rogan - 6 - 2.09.08

10 - Ryan Kinni - 10 - 2.14.32

11 - Kyla Johnson - 6 - 2.19.34

12 - Roxanne Mason - 6 - 2.21.08

13 - Gaetan Pierrard - 4 - 2.21.30

14 - Alexandra Rochat - 6 - 2.23.00

15 - Deb Knight - 10 - 2.24.00 - - - -Third in the money

16 - Tim Currie - 7 - 2.28.10

17 - Bertrand Bellencourt - 9 - 2.28.40

18 - Claudia Wickert - 6 - 2.30.35

19 - Matthieu Renner - 8 - 2.30.57

20 - Rene LaPierre - 10 - 2.30.58

21 - Trevor Braun - 9 - 2.52.46

22 - Brian Wilmshurst - 7 - 2.57.01

23 - Harvey Van Patten - 5 - 3.06.29

A most excellent day, many thanks to everyone who volunteered, and also to the Sponsors - First Mate dog foods, Yukon Brewing, Air North, and Dryland Hot Hound Racing, we all rasied over $330 for the Dog Powered Sports Association of Yukon, who need every penny to plough into their Road Runner 100 Whitehorse to Haines Junction race 27-28th February.

Next Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister League race - Sunday 24th January at 10am Icy Waters Ltd - 2-6 dogs for the sleds, 2-4 for the skijorers and the trail (even the by-pass section) was very nice on Friday (after our small snowfalls and a good packing) when Jon skijored at and crashed a lot less than he did at the last race - which could still have been quite a lot, but at least the trail is better. The nasty, whippy willows in the new by-pass have been well trashed by the public's snowmachines :)

Remember volunteers always welcome and needed. If interested please call Jon on 667 4138, thanks!

Have a great Festive Season!

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer Poker Run photos from LONE TRAILS photography, Stefan Wackerhagen

"Phew that was a big Hill!", "Aye, and having "oh oh Mr Trevor, I've got a sore shoulder, honest," in the basket didn't make it any easier"

Trevor Braun reaches the high point of the race, just as his "passenger" remarks "Thanks Ladz, hey Trev, it's all downhill from here right? Funny thing, this shoulder feels ok now ..."

"Lovely view eh?", Stuff the view, where's that beer?"

Harvey Van Patten "and a very Merry Christmas to you, and Yukon Brewing" leaving his empty T-shirt with the Mt Mac volunteer card stop

Darrell Otto "heeey! Where's my beer?"

Congestion on the mountain top

Gaetan Pierrard and his 4 dogs marching to the top

"phew, whatta climb, worth it for the Beer though!"

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beeer photos from Clark Rodgers

Harvey Van "Santa" Patten, frosted up his beard and was the image of Saint Nick by the time he got back - thanks for getting in the festive spirit Harvey!

Pierre Duc, Carmacks Musher, takes second and $250 of Yukon Brewing and Hot Hound's money, and a $100 certificate from Air North with a Queen high flush

Claudia Wickert trades in the skis for a sled for a chance at the big hand

Martine Lelevier racing to second in time (not prizes), just 7 secs short of the fastest time set by the Echoes Kennel

Alexandra Rochat, heavily muffled

Susie Rogan "Heeey, what's this? a sled? where are the skis? That's the last time I let Hans pack for me"

Darrell Otto from Mendenhall poses for the newspaper

Tim Currie, down from Dawson for the Race

These photos were courtesy of Clark Rodgers, many thanks Clark; more Photos from LONE TRAILS photography, Stefan Wackerhagen coming soon

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer, First Mate Freight Pull, attract biggest field yet

Quick Results - 23 4-12 dog teams raced round the 22 mile firm trail Sunday, whilst 8 stalwart pullers battled it out at Icy Waters Ltd.

Winners of Air North, Yukon Brewing, and Hot Hounds Dryland Racing's cash and certificates on LL2009-123 were:

David Mason - $450 cash + $100 Air North Certificate

Pierre Duc - $250 cash + $100 Air North Cert.

Deb Knight - $100 cash + $200 Air North Cert

First Mate Freight Pull

Lightweight - Zoya the Canadian Eskimo Dog - Janet Keller - 240lb

Mediumweight - Asha the Rottie - Jon Lucas - 480lb

Heavyweight - Puck the Rottie - Laura J. Lucas - 200lb

A big thank you to the sponsors, and all the volunteers at the start/finish, and those of you standing out at the card pick-ups.

More details and photos later!

First Mate Freight Pull - ON! Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer DPSAY Fundraiser Poker Run ON!

With thanks to First Mate Dog Foods, Air North, Yukon Brewing, & Hot Hounds Dryland Racing...

...and also to all you volunteers who the racers will see tomorrow, and the three hardy trail markers and checkers this afternoon.

Probably the coldest day in December (again) will greet our 3rd Annual Freight Pull and Poker Run

The trail is good, the card stops are in place, RM Laura J.Lucas and timer Simi Morisson are all revved up and ready to go; the firepit is even in place.

8 places remain after Gaetan Pierrard and Susie Rogan signed up (swopping their skis for sleds for this one), and Rene LaPierre signed up his Malamute Heavy Brigade.

See you all at 10am - Poker Run, and 11.30-noon for the Freight Pull - km 4.2 Fish Lake rd, Icy Waters Ltd.

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer update

Marcelle Fressinau of Alayuk Adventure registers as 14th team; 11 places left on the start roster.

First Mate Extreme Freight Pull and Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer all set for Sunday 13th!

First Mate Extreme Freight Pull

Meet 11.30-Noon at Icy Waters Ltd; Heavyweight 100lb+; Mediumweight between 60 & 100lb; Lightweight 0-60lb.

No treats (food or other items deemed to be unfair by the judge eg clickers, targets etc) - at any time whilst your dog is competing.

Start may be slightly delayed until the last of the Poker Run teams have left, please be patient.

Prizes in all categories 1st = 6 bags First Mate Extreme dog food; 2nd = 4 bags; 3rd = 2 bags.

Entry fee $20.

Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer Poker Run (Lottery Licence 2009-123)

Meet 10am Icy Waters Ltd. $20 Entry Fee, all proceeds to DPSAY.

4-10 dog teams. 4-6 dog teams planned to leave at 11am; 7-10 dog teams will leave 10 mins after last 4-6 team leaves.

Purse $800 cash (Yukon Brewing and Dryland Hot Hounds) and $400 Air North Flight Certificates.

Trail to be checked and flagged on Saturday 12th.

Volunteers for dog yard and start line urgently needed - and you'll thank them for getting to the start line so press gang some friends and relatives. Everyone who helps gets some delicious Arctic Charr fillets!

One card given out as follows:

Start line

Jackson Lake (Brian and Tanya)

Sunshine Valley Ranch (Wendy, Rock, and Ingabritt)

Sky High Wilderness Ranch (Jocelyn, Gary)

Guillaume will ensure you get off Fish lake - but he isn't a card stop

Shoulder of Mt Mac - the High Point - Jessica and Mike Simon - card and T-shirt

Finish Line

All cards embossed with Icy Waters Ltd seal

Make the best 5 card poker hand and make sure the Timer/RM agrees and notes it down when you finish.

We will be timing, but prizes are awarded to the best 3 poker hands only. All finishers receive an Arctic Charr dog food block, courtesy of Icy Waters Ltd.

This is an unsupported race, there is no snowmacine support, sweeper, or cover over the 22 miles.

And...the 13th is predicted to be the coldest day in Decmber - wrap up warm!