Kelim Siberian Huskies - Racing Siberian Huskies - Mid-Distance Racers

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From the slowest start to any of our seasons due to warmer temps to almost one of the snowiest Decemebers in history! It is SO nice to be on sleds! Last year we don't think we were on sleds until February! We have over 3 feet of snow and training is going very well. We have been able to get in quite a few 20 mile runs and it's becoming clear who will make what team this season. We always break the kennel into two teams, the fastest team possible and a slightly slower team. We never really split up the teams with different levels of performance because they are not as evenly matched, so we take turns running the different teams in different races.

This year we are planning to run about 7 or 8 races with two teams in each event (view our schedule). Right now we have about 3 'mid-distance' races planned and about 4-5 sprints. Generally we prefer the mid-distance races, but there are so many close/local sprint races that we are doing those as well. Plus we have improved our results in sprints the past few years so we figured why not! We really don't train too much different for a sprint or a 30, so it suits the dogs well too. The one 'big' sprint race we are entering a team in for the first time is the 79th Annual World Championship Sled Dog Derby in Laconia NH. It's quite a historical race and also very competitive. Generally you rarely see Siberian teams there anymore :(

For Kennel News, the 3 Q/Rainy boys we kept are growing up lovely! We are beyond thrilled with how they are looking! Skor's son Brady is also growing up nicely. Rainy just came in heat again, so some other girls will probably follow - actually we hope they do very quickly so they will be out or ending their cycles for the beginning of the race season!

2007/2008 first string race team:

NorthWapiti's Skor - He's doing great (as always!) and is for sure the main leader on this team.

Kelim-Thesewoods Tracker - Tracker is having a superb season and doing awesome! He's the other main leader.

Kelim-Tsuga's Quest - Quest is the back-up leader on this team, but will possibly also lead this team.

Kazlo's Flyin' Flutie - We were not sure at first if Flutie had what it take to make this team at first, but our recent runs show he does!

NorthWapiti's Lincoln At Kelim, SD - We knew Linc would make this team, he's a great team dog with lots of speed and drive.

Kelim's Dodge Viper - Still not our favorite built dog, but we can't fault his work ethic in harness! He's very consistent in his performances.

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2007/2008 second string race team:

Kelim's Super Dodge, SD, CGC - Dodge will be the main leader on this team. He is a tad behind on speed compared to the other dogs on the first string team, but can still go on that team easily and quite possibly will race a few races on that team.

Kelim's Swift - Swift is so incredible she gives us goose bumps! We really think she is the best yearling we have ever put in harness. She's also a really good leader at 13 months! She will probably switch of leading with Dodge in some races.She will race with the first string in the sprint races, but in the longer races she will go on this team just because she lacks stamina just a bit as she is young and we don't want to stress her.

Kelim's Mollywood of Tsuga - Molly is another possible leader for this team. She has a running style similar to Dodge. She's just a easy dog who does her job and never causes a problem. Another dog who could go on the main string if needed.

NorthWapiti's Rainy - Rainy is quite similar to Molly in harness and is another candidate for leading this team. She's one of our hardest working hill dogs. Another easy dog who never causes a problem. Another dog who could go on the main string if needed.

Kazlo's Stryder of Kelim - Stryder has good work ethic and is a trotter. He will be a wheel dog for this team this season.

NorthWapiti's Myst At Kelim - Myst is an excellent hill dog, but she has had some off runs lately and seems to be struggling a bit with the speed of our teams this year. She will probably be on this team the entire season.

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sprint team backup:

Tsuga's HollyWood of Kelim - Holly tires too much over distance to make the race team, but for sprints she is doing fabulous! There is a good chance she might knock Myst off the second team for the sprint races this season.

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not racing this season:

NorthWapiti's Bongo - Bongo needs another year to mature to see if she makes it as a race dog or not. She certainly is the most happy and energetic Siberian we have ever met!

December 28, 2007 - "2007/2008 Training Update" MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! From the slowest start to any of our seasons due to warmer temps to almost one of the snowiest Decemebers in history! It is SO nice to be on sleds! Last year we don't think we were on sleds until February! We have over 3 feet of snow and training is going very well. We have been able to get in quite a few 20 mile runs and it's becoming clear who will make what team this season. We always break the kennel into two teams, the fastest team possible and a slightly slower team. We never really split up the teams with different levels of performance because they are not as evenly matched, so we take turns running the different teams in different races. This year we are planning to run about 7 or 8 races with two teams in each event (view our schedule). Right now we have about 3 'mid-distance' races planned and about 4-5 sprints. Generally we prefer the mid-distance races, but there are so many close/local sprint races that we are doing those as well. Plus we have improved our results in sprints the past few years so we figured why not! We really don't train too much different for a sprint or a 30, so it suits the dogs well too. The one 'big' sprint race we are entering a team in for the first time is the 79th Annual World Championship Sled Dog Derby in Laconia NH. It's quite a historical race and also very competitive. Generally you rarely see Siberian teams there anymore :( For Kennel News, the 3 Q/Rainy boys we kept are growing up lovely! We are beyond thrilled with how they are looking! Skor's son Brady is also growing up nicely. Rainy just came in heat again, so some other girls will probably follow - actually we hope they do very quickly so they will be out or ending their cycles for the beginning of the race season! 2007/2008 first string race team: NorthWapiti's Skor - He's doing great (as always!) and is for sure the main leader on this team. Kelim-Thesewoods Tracker - Tracker is having a superb season and doing awesome! He's the other main leader. Kelim-Tsuga's Quest - Quest is the back-up leader on this team, but will possibly also lead this team. Kazlo's Flyin' Flutie - We were not sure at first if Flutie had what it take to make this team at first, but our recent runs show he does! NorthWapiti's Lincoln At Kelim, SD - We knew Linc would make this team, he's a great team dog with lots of speed and drive. Kelim's Dodge Viper - Still not our favorite built dog, but we can't fault his work ethic in harness! He's very consistent in his performances. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2007/2008 second string race team: Kelim's Super Dodge, SD, CGC - Dodge will be the main leader on this team. He is a tad behind on speed compared to the other dogs on the first string team, but can still go on that team easily and quite possibly will race a few races on that team. Kelim's Swift - Swift is so incredible she gives us goose bumps! We really think she is the best yearling we have ever put in harness. She's also a really good leader at 13 months! She will probably switch of leading with Dodge in some races.She will race with the first string in the sprint races, but in the longer races she will go on this team just because she lacks stamina just a bit as she is young and we don't want to stress her. Kelim's Mollywood of Tsuga - Molly is another possible leader for this team. She has a running style similar to Dodge. She's just a easy dog who does her job and never causes a problem. Another dog who could go on the main string if needed. NorthWapiti's Rainy - Rainy is quite similar to Molly in harness and is another candidate for leading this team. She's one of our hardest working hill dogs. Another easy dog who never causes a problem. Another dog who could go on the main string if needed. Kazlo's Stryder of Kelim - Stryder has good work ethic and is a trotter. He will be a wheel dog for this team this season. NorthWapiti's Myst At Kelim - Myst is an excellent hill dog, but she has had some off runs lately and seems to be struggling a bit with the speed of our teams this year. She will probably be on this team the entire season. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- sprint team backup: Tsuga's HollyWood of Kelim - Holly tires too much over distance to make the race team, but for sprints she is doing fabulous! There is a good chance she might knock Myst off the second team for the sprint races this season. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- not racing this season: NorthWapiti's Bongo - Bongo needs another year to mature to see if she makes it as a race dog or not. She certainly is the most happy and energetic Siberian we have ever met!

Event Journal