The Preeceville and District Mushers’ Rendezvous hosted its 17th annual edition of the Mushers’ Rendezvous with all proceeds going towards a multipurpose pad to be used by STARS air ambulance.
The rendezvous featured a 10-dog race over a course of approximately 20 miles each day, and a six-dog race over two days from January 30 and 31. The starting point was the Preeceville Skating Arena.
The main race, the Cross roads Credit Union Classic, had 20 entries with winners based on the best two-day total combined time. First place was won by Anthony Beck of Yellowknife. Second place went to Grant Beck of Yellowknife and third place went to Tommy Bird of Southend.
Other mushers who participated were: Chris Turner of The Pas, Man.; Rachel Courtney of Caliento, Man.; Ricky Hall, Kelvin and Cassidy Hall, all of Thompson, Man.; Serge Garrand of Tolstoi; Mark Hartom of Edmonton; Danny Baeulieu of Ft. Providence, NWT.; Blaise Bird of Prince Albert; Jaden Beck of Yellowknife; Moe Ladouceur of Fort McMurray; Johnston Garrioch of The Pas; Justin Fortier of St. Raymond, Que., and Marlon McKay of Cross Lake.
The Sturgis Kinsmen challenge, which was a six-dog race, had 30 entries. Held over a two-day period, 10 miles were run each day and winners were based on a total combined two-day average.
TJ Fordy of Hay River won the two-day race, Ghislain Bolduc of Chertsey, Que. placed second and Harry George of Patuanak won third.
Other mushers participating were: Carl Knudsen of Porcupine Plain: Susan Fleck of NWT; Trevor Merasky of Thompson, Man.; Kevin Lewis of Loon Lake; Roger and Vicki Cockrum of Meadow Lake; Rachel Courtney; Dave Hochman of St. Malo, Man.; Anni Rubin of Germany; Mark Hartrum and Aaron Campbell of Melfort; Rob Turner of The Pas; Loretta Dykon of Thompson, Man.; Elaine Hems of Woodridge, Man.; Blaise Bird and Frank Mymryk of Regina Beach; Charlie Conner of Meadow Lake; Shelby Spry and Jake Robinson of Bemidt, Minnesota; Melody Rassmussen of NWT; Gary Cook of The Pas; Justin Fortier; Jaclyn Fineblanket of Loon Lake; Marlon Mackay of Cross Lake, Man., and Christian Mitsuing of Loon Lake.
The five-dog Preeceville Salvage junior race for mushers aged eight to16 had four entries. The race was approximately 10 miles long. Kirsten Murray of Preeceville won first, followed by Donavan Poulin of The Pas, Tyra Hall of Grand Prairie and Riley Froelich of St. Malo.
The one-dog pro race was held on Saturday with 11 entries. Preeceville entries were Camryn Nelson and Sarah Masko.
The two days of racing concluded with a variety supper and the presentation of the mushers’ awards at the Preeceville Legion Hall.
