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Seeley Lake 50/100/200 Mile Dog Sled Race
Seeley Lake, MT

January 25-27, 2003

Return to USA West Results

Results provided by Norman Lee
www.blackfoot.net/~slk3016

50 Mile | 100 Mile | 200 Mile

Conditions:

THE 2003 SEELEY LAKE DOG SLED RACES FEATURED A FIELD OF 28 TEAMS FROM SEVEN STATES AND TWO CANADIAN PROVINCES

The Seeley Lake Dog Sled Races were a great success despite heavy rains, a very soft trail, and warm temperatures. The field of 28 dog teams came from seven states and two Canadian Provinces. Race entrants ranged in age from 16 to 82. The race was moved to the West Side Trailhead north of Seeley Lake because of the lack of snow in Seeley Lake. The rain on Saturday night and Sunday resulted in some deep water in the "moguls" and there were comments that we should have required life preservers. The race started on Saturday at 3:00PM with teams leaving at two-minute intervals. The first 100-mile team finished at 4:19 AM on Sunday. The winner covered the course at an average speed of about 12 miles per hour. Jason Barron, from Lincoln, MT, and his wife Harmony, finished first and second. Jason's father, John, finished fourth. Scott Smith, from Dubois, WY, finished third. Seeley Lake musher, Cindy Gallea finished sixth. Erik Pack, from Condon finished ninth. The veterinarian staff selected Erik for the Best Cared for Team Award. The dog mushers awarded the Sportsmanship Award to Mark Ibsen from Helena for his assistance to other mushers and in caring for an injured musher who lost his team.

Alana Schlang, from Battle Ground, WA, was the youngest musher in the race at 16. She used this race as a primer for the 180-mile long Junior Iditarod in Alaska that she will compete in next year. Dave Armstrong, from Helena, was the oldest competitor at 82.

Ten teams were scheduled to continue on after the 100-mile race for another 100-mile race. This 200-mile race is then used as a qualifier for the 1,150-mile Iditarod Dog Sled Race in Alaska. Only five teams were able to finish the second portion of the race because of the weather conditions. Rick Larsen from Sand Coulee, MT won this race and Bill Smith from Deer Lodge, MT came in second.

Numerous volunteers were on hand at the start, turn-around, and finish line. A special thanks goes to all the businesses that supported the race, the Lions Club for the Saturday breakfast, Race Marshall Terry Hinsley from Oregon and Race Judge George Geotsalitis from Illinois. Norman Lee from Seeley Lake provided the administrative support services for the race.