The 18th annual Preeceville and District Mushers’ Rendezvous was said to have been another success and proceeds are to go towards the Preeceville, Sturgis and Endeavour hall complexes.
The rendezvous featured a 10-dog race over a course of approximately 20 miles each day, and six-dog race February 4 and 5. The starting point was the Preeceville Skating Arena.
The main race, the Sturgis Kinsmen 10-dog classic, had 20 entries with winners based on the best two-day total combined time.
First place was won by Anthony Beck of Hay River, NWT. Second place went to Carl Knudsen of Porcupine Plain and third place went to Fanny Houle of St. Raymond, Que.
Other mushers who participated were: Darcy Garson of Thompson, Man.; Donny Poulin of The Pas, Man.; Johnston Garrioch of Cross Lake, Man.; Tommy Bird of Southend; Don Cousions of Crooked Creek, Alta.; Rachel Courtney of Tolstol, Man.; Blaise Bird of Southend; Robert Turner of The Pas, Man.; Dave Hochman of Carlowie, Man.; Serge Garrand of Calento, Man.; Mark Hartrum of Tofield, Alta.; Justin Fortier of St. Raymond, Que.; Jake Robinson of Bemidji, Minn.; Harry Towtongie of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut; Chris Turner of The Pas, Man.; Loretta Dykun of Thompson, Man. and Heather Stone of Carlowrie, Man..
The Preeceville Recreation six-dog race had 26 entries. Held over a two-day period, 10 miles were run each day and winners were based on a total combined two-day average. First place was won by Fanny Houle of St. Raymond, Que. Second place was won by Tamara Harvey-Coli of Calgary and third place went to Arron Campbell of Melfort.
Other mushers participating were, DJ Cantre of Loon Lake; Shelby Spry of Bemidji, Minn.; Darcy Garson of Thompson, Man.; Elaine and Fred Hems of Woodridge, Man.; Johnston Garrioch of Cross Lake, Man.; Rachel Courtney of Tolstol, Man.; Theorn North of Cross Lake, Man.; Austin Kosmynka of Loon Lake; Celina Dorion of Thompson; Claire Smeaton of Crooked Creek; Justin Fortier of St. Rymond, Que.; Curtis Morrisseau of Dauphin; Gary Cook of The Pas; Chris Turner of The Pas.; Jaclyn Fineblanket of Loon Lake; Loretta Dykun of Thompson; Trevor Merasity of Thompson; Matt Legal of The Pas and Amanda Intiri of Thompson.
The five-dog Crossroads Credit Union Challenge junior race for mushers aged eight to 16 years had five entries. The winning team was driven by Deshane Morin, Second place went to Noah Hartum and third went to Kirsten Murray of Preeceville. Other racers were Payton Poulin and Ryley Froelich. The race was approximately 10 miles long.
The Town of Preeceville one-dog race featured 10 entries. The race was open to children seven years old and under. Each participate received a certificate and prize. Mushers featured were Liam Connor, Alexis Santo, Trenley Nelson, Maddie Pole, Hayley Spray, Parker Ryczak, Ashton Roste, Mackenna Firman, Hayley Brett and Levi Maier.
The two-days of racing concluded with a variety supper and mushers’ awards at the Preeceville Legion Hall.
