Celebrate the Spirit and Adventure of Sled Dog Racing

WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race

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WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race

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Welcome Mushers!

 We never expected to announce on November 2 the following news... all forty slots for the race are filled.  We realize stuff happens and it is four months until the race, so we do have a waitlist started.  If you are a musher that did not make it to the race lineup, please contact us below for waiting list details. 

Contact Us

8-Dog Musher Bios

Michael Bestgen

Michael Bestgen

Michael Bestgen

I came back last year, after a long absence, and loved seeing the beautiful trails of Ely.  Looking forward to seeing everyone again this year.

Frank Moe

Michael Bestgen

Michael Bestgen

We love WolfTrack and coming over to Ely to race in February. Thank you to all the volunteers who keep making this race happen. The WolfTrack is what mushing is all about, fun, beautiful trails, friends, and of course the dogs.

Ryan Miller

Michael Bestgen

Robin S. Fisher

I moved to Cook, MN in 2016 and got into mushing shortly after. I currently work as a Natural Resources Instructor at Vermilion Community College in Ely, but still get the dogs into the Boundary Waters for fishing and camping as much as possible.  

Robin S. Fisher

Robin S. Fisher

Robin S. Fisher

My husband John and I mushing for 35 years! We have 21 Alaskan huskies and four pups.  We love them BWCA camping and ice fishing on "non-race" weekends. We operate the Vermilion Veterinary Clinic and are sponsored by Northwest Mining of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Jim Ward

Robin S. Fisher

Ero Wallin

Duluth, Minnesota

Ero Wallin

Robin S. Fisher

Ero Wallin

I am a senior at William Kelly High School In Silver Bay. This will be my fourth Wolf Track Classic. I plan to go to college next year and have two simple goals in college; crush baseballs and shoot ducks! Thanks to all the volunteers who help the race.

Jody Reineccius

Jennifer Freking

Jody Reineccius

 I am running a team for Silver Creek Sled Dogs again this year. I am the Maintenance Foreman for the Town of Silver Creek. I am a motor sports enthusiast and also enjoy the serenity of running dogs. My goal is to beat Ero and when I do I hope he doesn’t cry.

Mary Manning

Jennifer Freking

Jody Reineccius

Excited to be back again to race in Ely! Thanks for hosting us!

Jennifer Freking

Jennifer Freking

Jennifer Freking

 I am a veterinarian at the Ely Vet Clinic and have been enjoying my dog sledding passion with our Siberian Huskies for over 30 years and am a veteran of the Iditarod, Beargrease Marathon, Can-Am 250, UP 200, and Hudson Bay Quest. Our family owns Manitou Crossing Kennels near Finland, MN. 

Kristen McCarty

Kristen McCarty

Jennifer Freking

My husband, Shawn, and I have a kennel outside of Babbitt. 

Blake Freking

Blake Freking

Blake Freking

It all started when Blake had the great idea of having the first Siberian Husky pull him on my skis when he was 17 yrs old. He learned about skijoring and added another dog to the team, then another. Blake & Jen own Manitou Crossing Kennels in Finland, MN. 

Erin Altermus

Blake Freking

Blake Freking

Erin and her husband Matt have 30 Alaskan Huskies and a 3-year -old and live near Grand Marais. Erin works as a nurse at the local hospital. When not training dogs and being mom, she likes to read, write, paddle, ski, and garden.

Anna Hennessy

Blake Freking

Anna Hennessy

I've been training dogs at Mush Lake off the Gunflint Trail for the past two years.  I am looking forward to the WolfTrack Lassic, my first race!  When not on the runners of a sled, you can find me working as a nurse at the local hospital in Grand Marais.

Tim Anderson

Bucky Tippett

Anna Hennessy

I am currently director of all Adventure programming at Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies.  I have been mushing dogs for eight years here in our sled dog program.  I am excited to run the WolfTrack Classic this year.

Joanna Oberg

Bucky Tippett

Bucky Tippett

Love racing dogs!!!!

Bucky Tippett

Bucky Tippett

Bucky Tippett

Grand View, Wisconsin

Nick Vigilante

Nick Vigilante

Nick Vigilante

I was born in Atlanta and raised in Pittsburgh, and now call Ely home.  I started running dogs in 2010 guiding for the Boy Scouts.  Since then I have been guiding for Chilly Dogs.  I have also helped Nathan Schroeder for several winters and am excited to be racing some of his dogs this winter.  

6-Dog Musher Bios

Taylor DeBoer

Taylor DeBoer

Taylor DeBoer

This will be my 3rd year racing the WolfTrack! I am a junior at Cook County High School. I look forward to another great race in Ely!

Sherri Moe

Taylor DeBoer

Taylor DeBoer

Sherri and Frank Moe own Moetown Kennels. Sherri is usually running the show as handler but once or twice a year she gets on the runners and races... and always does better than Frank.

Nick Turman

Taylor DeBoer

Susan Serafini

Our team has run many races including the John Beargrease Marathon, the Beargrease Mid-grease, and the Forty, other races are the Midnite Run, the Mid-MN, the WolfTrack and the White Oak. My wife Joy and I have a kennel of 15 dogs in Two Harbors.

Susan Serafini

Susan Serafini

Susan Serafini

I've been mushing for about 20 years. I first raced the WolfTrack Classic in 2009. I like racing 6-dog class and have raced the Tahquamenon, Jack Pine 30, Copper Dog, Ironline, Apostle Island, and Three Bears. Hoping we don't need sunscreen in 2021.

Linus Meyer

Susan Serafini

Linus Meyer

I am a 25 year veteran of mushing sled dogs. I live near Meire Grove in central Minnesota. My wife, Ileta, and I live on a hobby farm with 16 sled dogs, 4 house dogs, and numerous chickens, goats, ducks, and cats. The name of our kennel is Grove Trotters.

Neal Seeger

Susan Serafini

Linus Meyer

I would like to thank ECC for continuing the event. I would like to thank the Veterinary staff for their services. I would like to thank all the volunteers and road crossing personnel helping the teams throughout the race.  Huskies Run! Peace Out!

Arlene Duff

Mark Stillwell

Scott Edgett

I have been fortunate to have some of the greatest dogs on the planet. We are a rec kennel and probably won't be winning any races but we sure do have fun. Can't imagine my life without them!

Scott Edgett

Mark Stillwell

Scott Edgett

Raced many WolfTrack races from 1st race until now! Love it!

Mark Stillwell

Mark Stillwell

Mark Stillwell

I love running and being in the woods. I love winter camping and ice fishing in the BWCA.

Elena Morgan

Ashley Thaemert

Mark Stillwell

I started mushing when I was just 4 years old, with my border collie and bassett hound. When I was 12, I got a real sled dog, Flash a Siberian Husky. He was my lead dog at the 2020 WTC. I attended Jamie Nelson's 2019 Bootcamp and learned ALOT. 

Ashley Thaemert

Ashley Thaemert

Ashley Thaemert

 I have a small kennel out of Tower, MN. This is my second time running the race and I look forward to enjoying the beautiful trail system once again with friends! 

Adam Treeful

Ashley Thaemert

Ashley Thaemert

  Looking forward to returning to this race after being away the past two years and alot has happened in those two years as well. I'd like to thank all that make this great race happen. 

Andre Duval

Joy Borchardt

Andre Duval

Merv Hilpipre, Chuck Gould, John Fisher, Marry Duval, Eddie Streeper, George Attla, Bob Lugo, and Frank Moe have all been my inspiration for this sport of sled dog racing.

Chris Kivi

Joy Borchardt

Andre Duval

Lives in Solon Springs WI with his wife and 3 kids. Started mushing when I rescued some Malamutes and they came with enough equipment  to get started. Every year we look to do something different and Ely is this year's new event.

Joy Borchardt

Joy Borchardt

Marina Fuhrman

Learning how to run sled dogs at my age is like starting a new life, which is basically what I needed to do after having lost my only child Iner to Epilepsy. I met Steve Bergemann, now my husband, who introduced me to mushing. We run Raven Call Kennels.

Marina Fuhrman

Marina Fuhrman

Marina Fuhrman

Love dogs and outdoors! Handled dogs for Beargrease for two years and looking forward to racing first time!

Ann Stead

Marina Fuhrman

Amy Flakne

 I have had sled dogs forever! I love the sport as well as the lifestyle. Training is my focus with racing being secondary.  There is nothing finer than putting a well-trained team on the trail. It is also fun to get out and prove your training at the structured events. My breed of choice is the Sieberian Husky. 

Amy Flakne

Marina Fuhrman

Amy Flakne

 I have been mushing for 10 years, life is good with dogs! My husband Mark and I live in Maple Lake, MN, with our 3 kids, 24 sled dogs, and 2 hunting dogs. 

Dusty Klaven

Billie Diver Thompson

Billie Diver Thompson

  "It all started with one dog. That explains a lot," said Dusty when asked about her introduction to the sport. Dusty has a small kennel in northern Minnesota. This is my 5th time running at WTC! Wanderlust Essentials LLC and Barn Yarn are her sponsors.   

Billie Diver Thompson

Billie Diver Thompson

Billie Diver Thompson

 Running races since I was 7 out of Rock Creek Kennel with Richard Loucks.  Big thanks to my Mom and Richard for always handling, thanks to my husband for always making it possible for me to go train, and thanks to my girls for motivating me and cheering me on!

Eva Robinson

Billie Diver Thompson

Eva Robinson

  I'm a junior musher with a goal to run the Jr. Iditarod in 2022. I have been mushing since I was four and I own my own kennel and dog treat business called "Eva Diva Puppy Snacks" and Diva Dogs Racing.  I have raced in Minnesota and Wisconsin and look forward to running this race! 

MUSHER RULES

2021 Race Rules

Ely Chamber of Commerce

WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race

2021 Rules for Competition

MUSHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT.  PLEASE READ ALL THE RULES THOROUGHLY.  THE INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES AND PROCEDURES IN THIS PUBLICATION SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WOLFTRACK CLASSIC SLED DOG RACE AND ITS RACE MARSHAL.


ENTRY RULES

Registration closes February 153 – 8 days prior to race day which is February 21.

Entry fees  

The 6 dog entry fee is $70.00 from November 1 – December 31, 2020, and $85.00 from January 1 – February 13, 2021.  The 8 dog entry fee is $85.00 from November 1 – December 31, 2020, and $100.00 from January 1 – February 13, 20201.  Registration will open on November 1, 2020, at 12:00 pm CST and close 8 days prior to the race.  No registrations will be accepted on Saturday February 20 at musher check-in or on Sunday February 21 race day.

1. The entry fee must accompany the online registration for the entry to be considered complete.

2. The WolfTrack Classic may reject any entry for just cause.  Any sanctions to entrants by other races will be upheld for the WolfTrack Classic at the discretion of the Race Marshal.

3. As a condition of entry into the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race, mushers will be required to sign the release form.


Mushers

1. The musher starting the race shall drive the team throughout the race.

2. A change in musher must have the approval of the Race Marshal, prior to the mushers’ meeting.

3. A musher under the age of 18 must have written consent from a parent or guardian.

4. Mushers and the parent or guardian of a musher under 18 shall attend the musher’s meeting, held prior to the race, in order to compete in the race.  Roll call will be called twice during the meeting.  Latecomers who miss the first roll call will receive a $50.00 penalty payable to the Race Marshal, and those who miss the 2nd roll call will not be allowed to race.

5. Any driver disqualified at any point in the race is not eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.


Dogs

1. Only Northern breed dogs will be permitted to enter the race. “Northern breeds” will be determined by the Race Marshal and chief veterinarian.

2. All dogs are under the care and jurisdiction of the chief veterinarian and his/her staff from check-in & vet- checks until the awards ceremony.

3. The chief veterinarian may disallow entry of any team or dog for just cause.

4. Any team of dogs, which in the opinion of the chief veterinarian is unfit or incapable of completing the course, shall be disqualified.

5. Any team or dogs disqualified at any point in the race is/are not eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.

6. All dogs must be up-to-date with vaccinations for parvovirus, distemper and rabies. Proof of valid rabies vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to the race and signed by a licensed veterinarian is required.  Proof of purchase for valid vaccines must be submitted for inspection by the chief veterinarian.

7. Dogs coming from Alaska with valid certificates signed by lay vaccinators will be accepted. Manufacturer’s serial number of the rabies vaccine administered to such dogs must be available to the WolfTrack Classic veterinarian.

8. All dogs will be identified and marked by the race, all dog names, age and gender should be provided with the vaccination records.

9. The pre-race exam and check in will be prior to the musher dinner.


Size of Team

1. Teams entering the 8-Dog Race shall start with 8 dogs in harness and finish with not less than 6 dogs in harness on line.

2. Teams entering the 6-Dog Race shall start with 6 dogs in harness and finish with not less than 5 dogs in harness on line.


Disease

1. If the chief veterinarian diagnoses any dog present in the race area to have a contagious disease, that team shall be disqualified and immediately leave the race area.


Drugs

1. It is the intent of these rules that no drugs or other artificial means be used to drive any dog beyond its natural ability. A musher must have his/her team free of any drugs used.  The chief veterinarian may utilize any drugs necessary to maintain a dog’s health, however, such dogs will be withdrawn from the race.  The use of general anesthetics will not be allowed in any form unless the dog is withdrawn from the race.


EQUIPMENT

Harness and Lines

1. All harnesses must be padded around the neck and chest areas and have reflective tape and be in good condition

2. Dogs shall be fastened to the gangline in single or double file. The lead dog/dogs may run without a neck line.

3. All ganglines must be made of coated cable or have a cable core, or be made of “Iron Rope”. No bare cable.

4. No muzzles of any kind are allowed.


Sleds

1. The sled must have a brush bow, proper functioning brake bolted to the sled and a snow hook.

2. The type of sled used is the option of the driver, but must have a functioning bag the length of the sled, capable of holding one or two dogs or an injured dog and equipment. Sprint bags will not be allowed.   This will be subject to Race Marshal approval.


Required Equipment

Your race bib must be visible during pre-race preparation and during the race, and will be collected after you cross the finish line.

1. Knife

2. First aid kit with a bandage to apply pressure to a bleeding dog or musher should there be a laceration.

3. Veterinary form.

4. Axe

5. Dog booties one set per dog

6. Snowshoes.  The 8-dog race crosses Bear Head Lake; wind and blowing snow may make it necessary to break trail out in front of your team.

7. Compass

8. Trail Map

9. Cable cutter: This needs to be a cutter you know will cut your cable gang line.  A multi-tool like a Leather Man is not acceptable as a cable cutter.


Bag Check

1. Bag Checks are mandatory

2. All equipment shall be subject to the inspection and approval of the Race Marshal.

3. Mushers, teams and equipment shall be available for inspection 1 Hour prior to the start of the race. Teams are required to be in the dog truck parking area at 7:00 a.m. on race day February 23.  You must have a bag check, or you will not be allowed to race.


START FINISH RULES

1. The starting positions for the race shall be determined by order of registration.

2. Bibs will be handed out when you checkin prior to the musher dinner on Saturday, February 22, 2020.


Starting Point and Time

1. Team must be harnessed and ready to leave for the chute at least 5 minutes prior to your designated start time. There are 3 start areas: in the hole, on deck and in the chute.

2. Teams will leave the start line at two minute intervals with 6 minutes time between the 8-dog teams and the 6-dog teams.

3. A team missing their start time will have to do so 2 minutes after the last team in their class. Actual trail time begins at the team’s actual start.  The Race Marshal may penalize a team 30 minutes for a missed start.  If a second start attempt fails, the Race Marshal may disqualify the team.


Starting Assistance

1. You will be assigned a handling crew to move you to the start area. If you have your own handlers and do not require assistance, please let us know this information.


Trail Time and Finish

Subject to compliance with all race rules, regulations and determinations of the Race Marshal, a team’s finish time is measured when the nose of the lead dog crosses the finish line.

1. All time involved on the trail shall constitute trail time.

2. If a loose team crosses the finish line ahead of its driver that team shall have finished when the driver crosses the finish line

3. Teams with equal times shall be awarded the high finishing position. The purse for the tied place and the next lower place shall be combined and divided equally.


TRAIL RULES

FOLLOWING THE TRAIL

1. A team and driver shall run the full course as established by the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race and the Race Marshal

2. The trail shall be followed as marked:

3. “Right turn” shall be indicated by a right pointing arrow.

4. “Left turn” shall be indicated by a left pointing arrow.

5. “Straight ahead” shall be indicated by a straight up arrow or painted stake on Bear Head Lake

6. Caution shall be indicated by a down pointing arrow.

7. It is the musher’s responsibility to check for traffic at road crossings on the trail. The race organization will attempt to secure the road crossings, but final safety is the musher’s responsibility.


ASSISTANCE ON THE TRAIL

ACCEPTABLE ASSISTANCE

1. All teams may receive similar assistance of any type from officials at designated points along the trail as authorized by the Race Marshal

2. A musher may not receive outside assistance during the race. In case of emergency, mushers may assist each other according to the situation.  Handlers may assist the musher at the start and finish.  Anyone may stop and secure a driverless team or loose dog.  The musher may recover their team either on foot or with another musher’s help and then continue the race.  This should be reported to the Race Marshal.

3. Outside assistance shall be allowed if a team or mushers’ lives are in danger.

4. Because of the remote location of the race trails, all dogs becoming unfit after departure shall be carried on the sled. If the whole team is unable to continue, a call for help should be made, and the Race Marshal will alert the trail boss, trail breaker and trail sweep.

5. In case of a broken sled, outside assistance maybe requested to repair or replace the sled.

6. Cell phones and GPS are permitted on the trail.

7. Ski poles are permitted but not in “NO MAN’S LAND.”


RIGHT OF WAY

1. In the “No Man’s Land” zone, no team shall have the right of way over another.


PASSING ON THE TRAIL

1. When one team intends to pass another, the passing team may request the right of way when the lead dog(s) come within fifty (50) feet of the sled of the overtaken team.

2. The overtaken team shall make way for the passing team by moving to one side of the trail and by slowing down or stopping if requested by the overtaking team.

3. Once a team has been passed, that team shall not re-pass until: such time as the leading team has had sufficient time to pull away.

4. At any lesser interval whenever both drivers are in agreement.

5. If the passing team becomes tangled as the result of the pass, that team’s driver may require the overtaken team to stop and wait no longer than 1 minute.


Should a major tangle occur, the overtaken team may re-pass with the permission of the leading team.

1. A driver coming upon one or more stopped teams may pass all such teams. The stopped team’s drivers shall make every effort to clear the trail for the moving team.

2. In a head-on passing situation, the homeward-bound team has the right of way. The exception to this rule is when the outward- bound team is moving downhill.  In this case, the outward -bound team has the right of way.


CONDUCT

RESPONSIBILITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP

1. The Musher shall be responsible for the conduct of his/her dogs, his/her designated handler and themself whenever in the race area or on the trail. Common sense and good sportsmanship shall prevail.  This is a family race, and we have many young and first- time racers.  Please be kind and helpful.

2. If the Race Marshal determines that a driver, handler or team conduct at any time in the race area or on the trail is detrimental to the sport/race, that team shall be disqualified.

3. ABUSE OR INHUMAN TREATMENT OF DOGS CAUSING PAIN OR SUFFERING TO A DOG WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

4. NO WHIPS are allowed

5. Abusive or unsportsmanlike conduct toward trail help, timers, other race officials, competing driver, handlers or spectators shall be grounds for penalties or disqualification assessed by the Race Marshal. All official decisions are final.


EXPIRED DOGS

1. Any dog that dies on the trail for any reason must be taken to the race finish. Expired dogs must be covered completely when being carried in the sled.  The driver must notify an official at the finish and proceed to their dog truck and wait for the Chief Veterinarian, Race Marshal and Race Director to investigate the situation.  At that time, there will be an interview between the driver and the race officials.  The driver may be counted as finishing the race contingent on the Gross Necropsy and/or after approval of the Chief Veterinarian and Race Marshal.

2. Any dog that dies during the race will have a necropsy performed by a licensed veterinarian according to the International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association Necropsy Guidelines.

3. Prize money will not be paid until the final results of the histopathology portion of the necropsy are returned. If it is determined that the cause of death was other than natural causes, the musher will be disqualified.  The purse money will then revert to the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race funds.

4. If the necropsy determines the cause of death to be abuse, the musher will be disqualified and barred from participation in any future WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race events.


OFFICIALS AND PENALTIES

OFFICIALS

1. The Race Marshal is responsible for the enforcement of all WolfTrack Classic race policies and race rules. The Chief Veterinarian shall be considered a race official on matters pertaining to dog care and treatment.  The Chief Veterinarian must participate in all decisions relating to these issues and will have final authority on all disputed decisions relating to same.

2. The Race Marshal and the Chief Veterinarian may appoint judges and assistants who will operate as race officials

3. The Race Marshal may detain a driver for the purpose of repairing or replacing equipment, which is deemed detrimental to the safety and well-being of the team and driver.

4. The Race Marshal or Chief Veterinarian may detain a team which is deemed in need of rest.

5. The Race Marshal or Chief Veterinarian may remove a team or dog from the race which is deemed unfit to continue the race.


PROTESTS BY MUSHERS

1. A musher may protest any action of a competitor which he/she feels is contrary to the race rules. To be considered as a legitimate protest, any infraction observed by a musher must be presented in writing to the Race Marshal no more than one hour after the race.  This written protest must be delivered to the Race Marshal, accompanied by a $100.00 protest fee.   All protests shall be logged with the Race Marshal only and shall not be discussed with any other persons, spectators or media.

2. Any driver implicated in a report of an alleged violation of the rules will receive a hearing before the Race Marshal and race officials. Such hearings will occur prior to the awards ceremony


DISIPLINARY ACTION

1. The decisions of the Race Marshal and race officials shall be final.


DISQUALIFICATION

1. Any musher disqualified for any reason will forfeit entrance fees and any purse place.


RACE AWARD AND PURSE

1. All mushers finishing the race must be present at the awards ceremony to collect their winnings. Failure to appear will result in forfeiture of any winnings.


REFUNDS

1. Full refunds will be granted to those withdrawing from the race before February 1, 2020.

2. In case of race cancellation due to lack of snow or the Minnesota DNR deeming the trail closed due to deteriorating conditions, a full refund or a rollover to 2021 race registration will be granted.


CLAIMS

1. Each musher agrees not to hold the Ely Chamber of Commerce/WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race, its members, race sponsors, land owner private and public, the Race Marshal, Chief Veterinarian, employees or volunteers individually or jointly responsible for injury or damage to himself/herself, his/her handlers, dogs or equipment.

2. All mushers registering will be required to sign a release of liability at the time of their online registration, or if registering by U.S. mail it should be included with their registration.


PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE

1. Pre-race and during the race event, each musher agrees to give the race organizers and sponsors permission to photograph or video record himself/herself and his/her teams to use for race promotion.

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Ely Chamber of Commerce

Ely, Minnesota

218-365-6123

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