Contact: Kelley Linehan
Phone: (800) 447-4094
Email: kelley@bayfield.org
Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race 2014
19th Annual Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race is February 1st and 2nd
AISDR officials convert 8-dog class to 10-dog class for 2014
Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race – Marie Ketring Nearly 65 sled dog teams (that’s over 400 happy sled dogs), hailing from Michigan to Oregon are expected to participate in this year’s Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race, held Saturday, February 1st and Sunday, February 2nd, 2014 in Bayfield, Wisconsin.
This year, race officials have made the decision to change the 8-dog race to a 10-dog race, with the intent to make the event even more attractive for mushers and spectators alike. Volunteer John Thiel, who has been involved in the race for 18 years and manages the race course and trail preparation explains, “The addition of two more dogs cranks up the excitement of the team a bit. This race has had some of the top mushers in the country compete here and many keep coming back because it is a fun race with a great trail and excellent volunteers.” Mushers who wish to run only eight dogs are still allowed to race in the 10-dog class. All other race classes will remain the same as in years past.
Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race – Marie KetringThe Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race features a 10-dog 88 mile race, 6-dog 66 mile race, and 40 mile Sportsmen’s race, in addition to a Family run on Saturday and a Youth race (ages 16 and under) on Sunday. Races begin at 10:00am on both days, with half of the total race distance completed each day. The start/finish line is located 12 miles north of downtown Bayfield at the Echo Valley Gravel Pit on Highway 13 with the course following the Sand River Trail System of Bayfield County.
The public is welcome at the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race. All ages are encouraged to attend and experience a bit of the energy that this captivating event exudes. “The best thing about a sled dog race is that you can feel the excitement in the air!” says Thiel. In addition to being a key race operation member, he is also a local musher and owner of Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing. “The dogs love it, the mushers love it, the volunteers love it and all that energy ignites the crowd. Every year we are all drawn back in to share some of the excitement.” Visitors can mix and mingle with the mushers during Friday evening’s Meet the Mushers spaghetti dinner at the Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion from 6:00pm-7:00pm, a Mushers’ Mixer at the Bayfield Inn on Saturday evening at 5:00pm, and the awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon immediately following the races at Legendary Waters Resort and Casino.
At the race site, spectators will enjoy a warming tent with hot food and drinks available for purchase, in addition to other retail vendors. Bonfires will be ready to warm chilly toes in between watching the dog teams start the race. Spectators can also travel to multiple check point locations for race viewing. A complete race schedule will be available at bayfield.org. The Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau also offers Voluntourism packages for travelers looking to volunteer at the races while enjoying a winter vacation in the Northwoods.
Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race – NaceHagemann.comThe Bayfield area has received several significant rounds of snowfall in the last month. “This year’s winter season is off to one of the best starts in years, and may be the most snow we have had before Christmas in 20 years,” says John Thiel. “We have already had two storms with 20 inches of snow each on the race course and it continues to snow almost every day.” All this precipitation means that local dogsled trails are in excellent condition with a decent base for hooking. “The volunteers will be busy out packing the trails and getting them ready for the race!” continues Thiel. With more snow and cold temperatures predicted in the next few weeks, trail conditions for the race weekend should be incredible.
Current sponsors of the 19th annual Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race are: Master Musher Sponsors; the Bayfield Inn, Howl Clothing and Adventure, Legendary Waters Resort and Casino, National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation, Pinehurst Inn, Printing Plus/Screen Line, Seagull Bay Motel, Silverwaves Jewelry, StonehousePhoto, and Winfield Inn & Gardens, Trail Support Sponsor; CF Design, Ltd, Doggy Biscuit Sponsors; Racey’s Tasty Peanut Butter Dog Bisquits and Sleep Systems International, and Sled Dog Friends; Apostle Islands Realty and Harbor View Lodging.
For more information about the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race and 2014 Voluntourism packages, please contact the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau at (715) 779-3335 or visit the new Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race event page on Facebook.
