Friendly rivalries emerge for Chocolate Claim Race Day

Familiar faces will be returning for this Sunday’s Chocolate Claim Race Day, but rivalries have been heating up since the first dog team pulled into the finish line two weeks ago.

Familiar faces will be returning for this Sunday’s Chocolate Claim Race Day, but rivalries have been heating up since the first dog team pulled into the finish line two weeks ago.

With last year’s Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister league champ Jonathon Lucas taking the first place in the eight-mile sled dog race at the Alpine Vet Race, those close behind him are ready to close the gap.

Third place finisher Crispin Studer has already contacted Lucas about his intentions to be back this Sunday – and to win.

“He said, ‘Oh yes, I have to beat you,’” said Lucas. “My response was, he should get a better pair of skis.”

Lucas finished the eight miles in 28:50, with Luke Twedell in second at 30:54, and Studer came in close behind at 30:55. Rounding out the top five was Trevor Braun in fourth at 33:06 and Darryll Sheepway in fifth at 33:30.

Also weighing into the pre-race discussions is Twedell.

“Luke told me this was his race,” said Lucas.

With all the determination and confidence of his fellow racers, Lucas might be in for it this Sunday.

The course will be the same as it was for the Alpine Vet Race, when the new track debuted to positive feedback.

This time an extra dog can be added to each racer’s sled team.

Lucas said he is excited to see the results, as many of the teams he beat will be adding an extra canine, while he will stay with his original team.

“They’ve got an extra dog, but I don’t,” Lucas said. He plans to change up his lead dog in an effort to maintain his lead.

This time food will be donated from the Drury’s Elk Farm and the Yukon Grain Farm. Icy Waters will again be contributing fish and fresh eggs will be available.

Prizes and cash have been donated by the Chocolate Claim, Yukon Brewing, Yukon Agriculture Association, Icy Waters Ltd, Midnightsun Alpacas, Drury’s Elk farm, Yukon Grain Farm, First Mate Dog Food, and Yukon Honda.

Also coming up for the Copper Haul Twister League is the Reach for the Sky and take the Beer Poker Run, coupled with the First Mate Extreme Freight Pull.

Lucas said that this year the Copper Haul Twister League has gotten a gambling license for the poker run after last year.

“We almost got in trouble with the police because we were running an illegal gambling den, as someone put it,” he said with a laugh.

This year the league is up to par with the law and will not be getting any attention as a “gambling den”.

The freight pull will be an exciting event to watch as well. Three categories of dogs will compete to see who can pull the most weight.

Mushers will meet at 10 a.m. and the race will begin shortly after.
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Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister results

Alpine Vet Race Day

Nov. 22

Kids race

1. Louve Twedell, 18:55

2. Laurie Twedell, 26:35

Pet dog race

1. Pippa Lawson with dog Tiramisu skate-skied in at 13:56.

2. Jonathon Lucas with dog Asha skied in at 17:37.

3. Leanne Kormos with Pongo completed the race on a GT racer sled in 39:00.

Main race

1. Jonathon Lucas, 28:50

2. Luke Twedell, 30:54

3. Crispin Studer, 30:55

4. Trevor Braun, 33:06

5. Darryll Sheepway, 33:30