Trail Conditions: (for the visitor) Click on [pic] for photo.

     The first race of the 2000 season was a lot of fun! The trail was a 3 Mile Loop marked by fluorescent cones and flags from Nome’s Snake River Turning Basin to the Country Store and return. Eleven hardy teams were hooked to the front of an assortment of dog trucks parked on the ice. KNOM staff were stationed at the start line, turn around and midway covering the action. Many mushing fans turned out for the kickoff FUN run of the 2000 NKC race season. The trail was slick, polished ice paralelling Nome’s sea wall. It was chilly with a - 26 F air temperature.

     An exciting mix of enthusiastic junior and adult drivers raced to the finish line on the icy Bering sea. Junior mushers were 9 year old Melissa Owens, 13 year old Jessica Perkins, and 17 year old Chris Aningayou. In a very close finish right up to the finish line, Chris Aningayou and Jessica Perkins raced to the finish line, where Jessica’s leader crossed the finish line a nose ahead of Chris Aningayou’s lead dog. All entrants were awarded special pendants by Nome’s own Centennial Queen, Donna Morgan following the race. Congratulations to all of the teams and drivers for participating.

     Special thanks to: KNOM staff: Les Brown, Victoria Pasquantonio, Paul Korchin and Michael Warren for their excellent news coverage; Chris and Jim Rowe, Kirsten Bey, Jim Dory, Walt Peterson, Bill and Sue Buchanan, May Wendel, Linda Oxley, Howard Farley and Gary Longley for their work on the trail and as dog handlers. We appreciate the use of the Alaska DOT cones and thank Pat Johansen and the NSRA for the loan of their racing bibs.

     NKC reminds the mushing community of the next race event on January 15th at 1:00 PM at the Bypass Road starting line. It’s a 12 dog 20 mile race paying 6 positions. We look forward to seeing you there!

March 18, Nome Kennel Club Businessman's Race

Thanks to all NKC Members who brought teams, sleds and volunteered throughout the race which lasted from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. It was nearly perfect weather for spectators - but hot for the dogs. Several teams went around the course several times so the slower times toward the end reflect this. It's 'luck of the draw' for getting a fresh team!

Thanks to our snowmachine trail support who helped out with timing, bibs, collection of registrations. Congratulations to all the brave mushers who completed the race and are now official Nome Kennel Club members! Come back next year!

Thanks to all the volunteers who made this event a success!!!!

This year the Nome Council 200 was postponed for the first time in its history due to threats of severe weather, winds and subzero temperatures with wind chills to -70F. Mushers met on Friday at 5:00 pm prior to the race start and opted to reschedule the race to noon Sunday the 26th. Saturday dawned calm and sunny with minimal winds in the Topkok - Solomon - Safety blowhole extending through the rest of the weekend. Trail conditions were hard and fast with no overflow.

Congratulations to the following tough drivers and dogteams.

A big thank you to Patricia Rae of Rae’s Harness Shop for being our official Race Marshal. Thank you to Mike Owens for offering his snowmachine to the race marshal for her use. Connor Thomas, our NKC checker, race official and trail escort with his partner, Brian Timbers receive our thanks for being there and doing a tough job very well.

Thanks to David Holly for staking a great trail for us!

Pat Hahn, Todd Lovell, and Michael Warren provided wonderful ham support and continuous KNOM coverage kept us updated and prepared for the early Monday morning finish. We are very grateful for their time, talent and efforts.

Another big thanks to Nome’s own veterinarian, Derreck Leedy for supporting the teams and going to Council to keep our dogteams healthy.

Linnea.