With –6 degrees overnight, the trails for the ADVANCE Sled Dog Challenge at Dinner Plain were set to challenge the mushers with icy conditions in some parts and grass in others. After 80 teams had hammered the trail on Saturday, mushers awoke to the news of a slightly shorter trail but tougher conditions.Â
The first teams out were 2 and 3 dogs who had a wild ride down the S bends with many struggling to keep hold of their sleds whilst the excited dogs flew down the hill. Some parts of the trail were littered with wooden sled parts however all teams made it to the finish line safely.Â
Next out were the 4 and 6 dog teams who enjoyed the cooler conditions and raced around the trails in shorter times to Saturday. Mushers said they had a ball out on the trail and the dogs really enjoyed the challenging conditions.
The winners for this years challenge in each class are:
2 Dog Class
First  Steve Blanch - Victoria
Second  Leah Saunders – Victoria
Third  Steve Bradbury – Victoria
3 Dog Class
First  Natalie McIllree – Western Australia
Second  Jessica Baker – Victoria
Third  Klause Klein – New South Wales
4 Dog Class
First  Clem Bittendorfer – New South Wales
Second  Darren Browne – Victoria
Third  Diane Baker – Victoria
6 Dog Class
First  Peter Dobbs – New Zealand (who ran Victorian dogs)
Second  Shaun Butcher – Victoria
Third  Donal McIntyre – Queensland
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Organisers Altitude 5000 Sled Dog Group Inc were thrilled with the weekend and that the snow which arrived Friday morning ensured the event continued over the 2 days. Race Marshall, Idah Hamzah said “she was pleased with mushers who showed sportsmanship on the trail and assisted each other when needed”
This was the 16th year the event has been running on the second weekend in August each year. For further enquiries please contact Sue Simmons on 0412 161 801.
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09 August 2009
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