Nik Takes Second Place! We are a Proud Kennel!

2017 Bogus 150 Niklas Wikstrand – 2nd Place

Team Kaiser takes second place in the 2017 Bogus Creek 150! As a Team we couldn’t be more proud of this young man from Norway. A bundle of nerves at the Starting Line, he overcame the rookie jitters that all young mushers experience and ran a beautiful race. I told him personally at the Line to just have fun and run his race– All of the rest would fall into play. He had over 1000 miles on the runners and with those beautiful, experience dogs, he just needed to play it smart. Well that he did, and much more!

Nik Wikstrand comes to Team Kaiser from one of the closest places to the North Pole in the world. He is from Norway, but has been working in a place called Svalbard. Svalbard is one of the most northern inhabited places and only about 800 miles from the North Pole. (Like from Bethel to Barrow). Nik may be a rookie completing his first race, but he is very experienced with dogs and dogteams. He has been running tourist sled dog expeditions in Svalbald for the last couple of years. We are so proud of him and Team. The Team was barking and ready to go as they crossed the Finish Line. Congratulations Nik!

 

Share

The Kings are Re-Crowned!

In the sport of Dog Sled racing you hear names, King, Butcher, Swenson. In Kuskokwim 300 lore, we tell of King, Swingley, and Kaiser. But in the hard fought Bogus Creek 150, the unique 150 mile, no holds barred, dash to the finish challenge, you hear of two names time and time again– Pavila and Olick.

Lewis Pavila dashed across the Bogus Creek 150 again for his 4th victory. I asked Max Olick, “How many is this, Max?” Grinning ear to ear as he worked on the dogs, he said, “7 or 8.” The Crown of the Bogus is held in very high regard and some Teams are content to remain running this great event. This year Jackie Larson, another great 150 Champion, is running the Kuskokwim 300. It will be interesting to see how he likes it 🙂

Team Kaiser congratulates both Lewis and Max on another great win. Our rookie handler from Norway, Niklas, was hot on their heels, but in the end it was another trophy for the Kwethluk Team.

Here are the Winner Photos from the Bogus Creek 150-

Share

Out of Kalskag – Back in Action

After a 4 hour break in Kalskag, Pete and the Team were out at 8:57 in 5th position on the trail to Aniak. This year’s race will send the Teams out onto the flats and through Whitefish Lake and then into Aniak. This couldn’t be a better year for this 50+ mile of trail as conditions are clear and calm. Yes, it’s cold, but the lack of wind and sometimes blizzard snow conditions that can make this section a challenge will make for a pretty ride. Teams will get a beautiful view of the sunrise over the mountains into the Aniak area.

Here are the Stats so far and this latest Kalskag report:

Share

Video- Pete’s K300 Pre Race Interview

As we wait for Teams to reach the Finish Line in the Bogus Creek 150, here’s a conversation Pete and I had just before the Start of the K300. KYUK is reporting -40 at Tuluksak as well. Just to give fans an idea of Finish Line, Teams are just into Akiak in the Bogus Creek 150. On the way up with fresh dogs, the fastest Team from Bethel to Akiak was 2 hours 30 minutes, so a finish around 11am should be doable.

Don’t forget the mass Start of the Akiak Dash at 2:00pm this afternoon! Go Team Kaiser!

Share

Cold Night – Competition Heats Up

 


Good Morning Race Fans! It’s been a cold night out there on the trails, but the action is heating up for a great weekend of racing!

Temperatures on the Trail are as close to as low as we have ever seen. -40 this morning in Kalskag has Teams hunkered down and taking layover time in that checkpoint. Teams began arriving after 4am this morning with Pete and the Team checking in at 4:47 in 4th position.

The weather prediction for today is calling for cold temps, but sunny skies and calm wind, so it will warm a bit as the sun takes hold for today’s trail. Mushers are taking this into their race strategy making the Kalskag break a good move for this year’s race.

Meanwhile in the Bogus Creek 150, Teams are making their way down the Trail towards the Finish Line having taken their layovers last night at the Bogus Pit Crew campsite. It’s been a cold one for Mushers, Teams, and Pit Crews alike, but for the Bogus Teams, today will mark a new Champion and a warm bed, Kusko Mushers will have to endure!

Niklas and the Kaiser Team are doing a GREAT job for his first race! The Bogus Creek 150 is traditionally a shootout of Village Teams bent on keeping the trophy in their Kennel. Each year the Teams of Kwethluk, Akiachak, Akiak, and Napaskiak, shoot it out and make for a real exciting race. This year is not different, and Nik is in the heat of the fight.

Time to make a bit of coffee and get ready for the day. Remember to dress warm!

Go Team Kaiser!

Share

Cold, Colder, Tuluksak

Teams are into Tuluksak on the trail up the Kuskokwim. Pete and the Team are making good time, but temperatures on the trail are dropping slowly as mushers move further inland. Memories of the Starting Line and -23 earlier this evening will feel balmy compared to dropping temperatures near -36 in Aniak.

Iditarod Mushers on the Trail who experienced the Huslia loop a couple of years ago are definitely going to have a deja-vu moment for sure!

Nik and the Bogus Team will surely be looking forward to the Pit Crew who surely have a grand fire awaiting his arrival shortly. Mushers haven’t seen this kind of cold since the first race in 1989.

 

Share