News
19.12.2011
Championships
in Germany
Borken,
Germany was held the Dryland World Championships 12.-13.11. The competition had
enrolled about 500 competitors from 23 (?) countries. The competition area was a
large horse farm environment; start, finish, and stage-out area were on horse
range. The stage-out area was certainly more than one hectare.
Our
race trip began on Tuesday evening, when the ferry went to Stockholm. Wednesday
we drove by car though southern Sweden, through Denmark, and from there to the
ferry to Germany. In Germany, we stayed at gas station in the yard, and the
journey continued on Thursday, toward the racearea. We arrive before noon. On
Thursday, at noon we went to through the track by kickbikes. It was quite a
shock, when we found out that many places the track was so narrow that it will
not be able to take over in full speed. The track was still poorly marked, using
only a plain line strams. In addition, the track was also the asphalt sections,
did not be a good to dogs´ paws. Next,
we decided to walk with leaders of four dog team around the track in leash,
because the track had a numbers of tight turns and other obscure places. Odd
thing was part of the trail where a half-mile distance was two different trails
and the competitor had to choose which one to take (?!?) one
was hard, but too narrow for overtaking, the other a little soft in places, but
wide. Turns to other classes: route
signs were apparently some classes of the German national rules/language, which
did not find anyone out, so the route was self-aware (or rely on other routes
are closed). Yes, that was exactly the last time when our dogs taken to walk in
leash for longer distances, ankle and lower leg muscles began to return to
normal until Saturday, although dogs do not even pulled hard. One dog class
running Corvette was left willingly to sleep in the car and I was confident that
it knows the route anyhow.
On
Friday, we went to the track aroud again by kickbikes. In the second round of
the track seemed better, partly due to improved marking and contributed to the
initial shock of the stagnant. After all, it was still not Jämi or Ohkola the
track level, but may be runnable. During the day we manage go walking along with
the handler-photograph Suvi in city Borken near the center looking for food. To
the center apparently we got lost, but walked another kilometers to the hotel.
Eventually we turned back cause suitable place to eat was not found. Behind the
hotel - existing "walking street" finally found someone to be pizzeria
/ grill, but it was just closed for the afternoon (siesta?) So we decided to eat
a nearby bakery some sandwiches. During the day it became known that the
starting lists are published. For me, the starting points were good / tolerable,
in DS1 at the second and DR4 the seventh, so Dr4, it is very likely many passes.
Some of the categories (all?), the organizer had forgotten the seeding! Appeal
dismissed as the Finns, that we have reported too many competitors seeding per
class (can one per class be too many??). Because other countries have not made a
formal complaint, it is not done nothing (the Norwegians realized it until
Saturday morning). In the evening it was time for a team meeting with Team
Finland by getting both numbers and divided by the race organizer's
"make-up bags". Competition´s Opening ceremony, we decided to skip as
the opening ceremony took so long and went to the hotel to eat and watering the
dogs, so that everyone would be fighting fit for the next day.
On
Saturday, we got up early and head to the hotel for breakfast as soon as it was
opened at half seven. After watering the dogs headed to racing scene at eight.
Canicross classes started already half past eight. The first start for me was
single dog class shortly before eleven. To
urinate the dogs and own warm-up interspersed I had time to go
take a look at other Finnish START UPS. Classes
of the order was not for my part the best possible, because the four would be
the most important class, but in this level of race DS1 no longer be taken only
as warmup class.
I started as second to the track in DS1. Got catch team before me less than a
mile after. I managed to take over through the bushes, when overtaken the dog
took a different side than the driver. Corvette was very nearly a dip in
crossings off the track, when I brake too much, I guess it thought here we go
wrong when the pace slows down, so changed the direction ... Trail were solved
within a reasonable time, the Corvette tired a little bit before the end, but
cope, however, the finish line. In the result in lead nearly two-minute gap to
the next.
To
DR4 start was just under an hour, so after a quick refueling had to prepare for
the next start. DR4 NB-class went directly after “the floppy ears” without
any interval. The first leg went well, finding a good driving line was
difficult, when everyplace was soft sand. The first team to take over was on the
horizon before the three miles. Before the bypass, however, we took over parking
team whiteshepard-germanshepard-team. The next pass was less than a few hundred
meters after that. The first two-passes situated to the track´s the fastest
leg, which was, however, plenty of room. In the middle of the last uphill, about
a kilometer before the finish, began to appear in front of a couple of teams. I
was filled with despair, when the driver began to think about, how to go over.
During the last half-mile bypass is possible only few dozen meters. Track made
prior to the finishing line a horseshoe, before that was about seventy meters
broad asphalt road, and then dove into the narrow path almost for hundred
meters. After this, the track widened 180 degrees turn to grass field before the
finishline, distance about fifty meters. The
next pass was made at the last moment before narrowing the track, but as soon as
I was in the "chute" in front of my team was the next competitor, so I
had to slow down the speed. Wheel dogs became entangled to lines, the driver had
no time to slow down and figure out enough. Another wheel dog tried to jump on
and sort out lines and finally tipped over. When it was way up, my team took
over stopped team. In fact I could barely noticed stopped team and only managed
to take little rightway when it was already over. Would not have believed, that
in that point will be able to take over, when it seemed, that the team ahead
fills the track already. When the track widened, we were able to get around and
pass the team from the outer side of the curve. In spite of hustle in the end
and five bypass, time was a pretty good and in lead one minute faster than the
next.
Rest
of the day went by maintaining dogs, helping other Finnish and cheering. We left
from stage-out to the hotel at five, after all the classes had been driven. End
of the day consisted lot of problem refilling own energy, in the afternoon,
seemed that there is nothing standing inside. Even energygels was not able to
eat without vomiting. The next morning, I was able to eat a little better, but
still had to restrict the normal eating, so that would not have vomited.
On
Sunday, the first classes started half an hour later than the day before. The
area was settled in thick fog, and temperatures were 3-4 degrees throughout the
day. DS1 Corvette went reasonably well. Although the starting interval to
previous class was one and a half minutes, I caught a team just under one
kilometer. The previous day's hard running began to appear in the two
kilometers, and the Corvette began to slow down in kilometer-long low uphill.
Halfway of uphill I took over yet another team (any memories about that bypass
after the race). Persevere till the end, relying on the previous day's
difference is enough. Time was 23 seconds slower, but the World Championship was
won, over a three-minute gap to the next!
DR4
started just half an hour after
finishing DS1, so fast refueling had to be on my way again. I had to start in
DR4 one minute after previous day's slowest “floppy ear” team. The first
team to take over was soon almost a half kilometer after start. In fog I heard
first brake wheeze, and before I could react to anyway, was in front of
whiteshepard- Germanshepard-team in 30 meters away. The driver ran to his
leaders to take off, but I had already passed over before he got there. The next
two came to pass in two kilometer long uphill. End of the trip I was afraid that
among the mist there are more slow teams to sprout up in front of team, because
the visibility was just thirty meters in some places. The dogs seemed to run
well throughout the leg, but driver got badly jelly at the end of a long rise,
(300 m), one kilometer before the finish. Time, 14 seconds worse than on
Saturday, was a big disappointment. On trail it seemed that the dogs went well,
but the time, however, was entirely something else. In retrospect
computer´s GPS data analysis, I noticed that the second day
compared to rates were slightly lower than almost all of the rise in long-term.
Apparently the seemingly clean overtake, however, were messing up the dogs
rhythm and own fatigue (due to the shortage of energy) of the hill to the end of
the weakened considerably, even at the end of the last increase was reflected in
a small drop in speed compared to the previous day. In spite of the times, third
World Championship was won more than a minute and forty seconds of faster than
the next.
Home
trip we went on Sunday, early evening, when the relay was ran. When we arrived
from ferry to Denmark reached the customs us asking about where are we coming
and what is involved. Dogs passports looked accurately
Echinococcosis-medication, even it is not required in Denmark. The night fell
short of the Danish gas station yard on Monday morning and continued to travel
to Stockholm. Also inquired about the customs on arrival in Sweden where we are
coming, but was enough to explain to them that we were the races and the gang
goes beyond the point half a mile away if you do not point to get after it. In
the evening we arrived in Stockholm, where we stayed at the dock on the edge.
The next day was spent swedenferry and we arrived home on Wednesday, immediately
after midnight.
30.10.2011
Janakkala race was driving with the "elderly" (+ Delaware) DR4 last weekend (23.10.). Race went as expected. Just at top speed does not reach the senior team, but it's pretty satisfied with their performance can be.
20.10.2011
Jämi Championships are now behind us. Result was the Finnish Championship-bronze DR6, a huge fourth place in a fantastic time in DR4, a couple of hundred kilos of dog food Danler-Power Line Cup (second place), and a new racesled prize lottery!
DR6 dogs ran in the first day well and smoothly. On the second day after the middle was a small dip, which was evident end time fifteen seconds. The result, however, the SM-bronze fair difference in both directions (front pointers and rear Huskies).
DR4 dogs ran really well the first day, my own record in Jämi track improved 20 seconds. Raising in lead Devil worked as expected, as well Ee´s change to wheel. "Apache-old man," moving to DS2 brought a little extra speed. The second day, the dogs still ran very well and improved on the previous day's t time for a further four seconds, so your new record in Jämi track is 7:37! The result was divided into fourth place in competition with A-dog.
In DS2 my first day went reasonably well, although it was mainly a "warm-up class of" prior DS1. On the second day had to tighten a little as the difference between to the next was just a second. And it was quite successful, the final results, the difference was two seconds in my favor. The dogs ran well on both days, but it seemed like the best compression was lost at this time, would have been loose for some reason. The result, however, was eighth place after the A-dogs.
DS1 Corvette ran well on both days. The first day came two by-pass, the first of which had to be halted when the competitor pass on the same side as where we were going to pass. Another bypass was successful, then fine. On the second day we went without overtaking, but yes driver noticed that was the eighth start of two days, the rest of the press began to flow in the legs already pretty much. The resulting tenth place, a couple pointers behind the ditch.
Pictures
(c) Jutta Venhola
6.10.2011
New race season started Ohkola 1.10. Attending three classes and catch two second places and one third place. DS2 and DR4 dogs were near record pace (DS2 1s after and DR4 4s after record) and the DS1 Corvette ran a new record. Danler-Powerline Cup´s final round exciting set-up Teemu Kaivola is only a two-point lead before the last race of the SM-Cart Jämi.
Ohkola DS2 in Finishline:
Picture
(c) Kristian Törnqvist
6.10.2011
Early
autumn few dog swing in dogshows. In Valkeakoski all bred show Rudi was in
junior class excellent . Good start for shows although he hasn´t any underfur.
Siberian
huskies special show in Kannus Sembra got working class “excellent” and
Denet open class “ Excellent”. Hopefully supply of red ribbons contines in
future.
Autumn
training started in beginning of August. Racedog has reasonable training
kilometers already. In autumn there are three raceweekends, most important is
Dryland World Championships in Germany, Borken.
4.6.2011
Race Season 2010-2011 ended to Jämi last weekend. During the season, was participated ten competitions and Antti generated 22 START UPS. In competitions ran to sixteen different dogs and ten different dogs got the SM-REK-title. Our team was the best Siberian husky team in every sled race (except Janakkala Dryland race DR4 driven by Timo with second team). The result is World Championship gold four dog sprint and silver in the Finnish Dryland Championship (DR6) as well as the Finnsih Kennel Club´s race test victory for four-and six-dog sprint. So successful season.
In Spring the first race was Janakkala dryland race. This time there was included also DR4 so two teams from our kennel took part in the race. The track was a nice, exciting and fast, and it could not drive through without braking; compared to Jämi it was be a nice change. My team took a new young dog to test. Ee race performed well, the speed seemed to find and no interfere to people any way. To Timo's team we put a couple of big boys in wheel and a couple of bitches to bring speed in lead. Team was supposed to be reasonably good, and it would certainly have been, if the leaders wouldn´t ran “long” crossing. Burned a over one minute to clear the lines. I took part also DS2. Polka-elderly was very nearly the end of the pace of a fast track between. It reached Darcelect alongside only at intersections, showing the right direction when Darcelect slowed down the pace a little.
Then came Ohkola Spring Race, where I participated in three categories: DR8, DS2 and DR4. Originally the competition was supposed to run two laps, but during the day the temperature rose so high that a second round was canceled. However, in start of DS2, which was the last scooter class, the temperature was only around thirteen degrees. In DR8 I drove with six dogs, two dogs did theris first racestart. The dogs ran well, but in spite of the time was really a big surprise, 7:29 is my new own track record in Ohkola track. DR4 dogs ran reasonably well, the pace dropped slightly at the end and maybe the time was the same as Dr8. DS2 the Polka-old lady was pulled with the other, but the time was still good.
Last weekend of May it was time for races and Jämi puppy camp. The purpose was to drive the four categories. The first class was Ds2. This race, I changed Anselli from DR6 to DS2 to bring more power and speed. When sixdog´s team in Ohkola seemed good enough, I was able to take a little slower and smaller Carina as leader. Anselli Darcelect and ran quite well all the way. Corvette hurt his leg on Friday night, so I had to take polka to Dr1.Polka ran reasonably, speed wasn´t good, slightly overweight, but not bad over a 6-year-old, weighs 18 kg bitch –No more could be expected, however. DR4 dogs ran well and evenly. The time was 8:01 personal record Jämi 4.2 km of track.
Six dog-team ran well, but over a kilometer before the finish we catch team left before Passing was successful, but the rhythm of the running dogs went crazy and end of the journey does not come anymore very good pulse. The time was still good, just six seconds worse than Dr4
In the spring in test was the three young dogs, which ran a race Ee in First team DR4. Ee seems promising enough, that will almost certainly run in the future raceteam. The other two were Denet and Elite. Both ran well, but neither for the size probably run never First team.
11.4.2011
Dryland Season was restarted after a week break! Route can be found again, at least one point, where can test Is there a team, "rabid" dogs, when the water flowed into a couple of meters wide creek across the road. The third team, which was seven last- rest dogs, was found first, which slowed down the pace and are looking for a drier-crossing points. During the spring, would be to three races, and at least one team to test the new young dogs in race situation.
11.4.2011
Some pictures from WC
20.3.2011
Norja, Hamar
World Championship Sp4 NB - class
Finnish international team pages
http://www.sleddog2011.no/article.jsp?id=659
World champion race team: as leaders McAhon Apache, McAhon Dakota and wheeldogs McAhon Arapaho, Wintry Sembra
14.3.2011
Ohkola´s traditional winter competition was held
in unnormal from the end of the season as two-day competition. Four
dog class was also Finnish kennel Club´s Finnish Champion race test for sled
dogs. Trails
were Ohkola race history in the best shape and the weather nice and warm and
sunny. Only
the strong winds caused some problems. And
with the tradition of our team did not this time either overcome without the
"accident".
I
took part, Sp4 and Sp6. First
came the six-dog class, which we started five dogs. Early
tour of field leg was a little loose snow, wind blown snow drifts, but it didn´t
significantly slowed down the pace of the dogs. Leader
"Polka-elderly" had considerable trouble staying up with the pace and
it was pulled by other leader dog, so it would not have missed the other's feet.
A
little half-way after I got past over the team . It
went without a problem and the next team was passed about in five kilometers. Also,
it managed without any problems. About
a half mile before the finish a little bend with turn dogs slowed down for some
reason, a little momentum. And
when pulling was off, rocketed
Danler straight down the bend. In
fact, I had no time to slow down enough and the weight was too much dot the
outer curve side of the sled runner hit the little point and the next I found
myself on my side on the site. Team
stoped few meters away by hitting
the tree, when the sled was trying to go to a different side of the tree as a
musher. After
a quick goggles straightened up and lifted the sled and journey continued (GPS
showed a stop was about seven seconds). Sled
runner had come off the front of the clip, but I did not bother to stop and
correct it when it didn´t affected sled's maneuverability. I
lifted the rest of the way the bow of the sled with rope to the anchor, and
passed yet another team. At
the finish had to begin to explore the damage to the sled before the start of
the four dog class. Sled
had no other noticeable changes, like fixing plates that were position the
anchor. After
a small fixing we got holder closer to the correct position to put anchor in
place.
Four
dog class went to the dogs briskly moving, but the rate fell after a few miles. Throughout
the rest of the expenditure was really tacky. Further
intensified the wind slowed down considerably and the dogs go by the beginning
of arable leg of the track had accumulated more snow, which took the dog forces
early in the trip and was part of the dogs cautious. Some
of the clearly slowed down the pace of 'soft' points last weekend, after bad
experiences. The
dogs were not returned at the end of preceding week's heavy race. Sled
seemed quite normal, just a little "looser" than before, which had to
take into account the corners with a slightly different behavior. The
end of the day got to consider to start or not the next day? Which
one is more useful and harm from either the World Championship race point of
view? I
finally decided, however, start in on Sunday, because the track would probably
be even better and the dogs would run around the track in top condition, without
fear of sinking the line through it.
On
Sunday, the track was still in better shape than a Saturday, but the wind still
pretty tough. In
six
dogs -class dogs ran well. As leader moved
Darcelect coped well and in the middle situtated
Polka had not a problem with the
pace. Time
improved in 50 seconds from the previous day. Four
dog- class went very well. It
took a very fair rate of six kilometers up. After
the second cycle acids in dogs began to press the legs, it continuously until
the finish, however, reasonably, although the rear legs seemed to be approaching
the time to paint powerless. Time
improved on Saturday and more than a minute. The
dogs ran on Sunday a lot more energetic and competitive running until the end
seemed the right response.
Before
the World Championships race dogs get plenty of rest and now they have done a
few shorter speed training.
4.3.2011
Competition season continued in
informal competition in Ohkola 13.2.
Now reached the first team to run the whole race and even got on the track in
good condition. Average speed 6.7 km of the track was 30.04 km / h. Out of the
first team would begin to be found on a little momentum. During Jeris race
rehearsals the time were still cautious and second team even faster. Rest of the
season in the first team was selected: as leaders Apache and Dakota, as wheel
dogs Ara and Sembra. Dog teams from the average weight would increase by a few
pounds the past, which can effect more power.
In Rautavaara competed the four dog class Finnish championships last weekend.
Position and average speed were not so special as an extra length (9 km) and
heavy trail is not really suited to Siberian Huskies (compered in mix-dogs). Dip
into some places the track was part of reason the dogs ran carefully and start
of the trail went uphill stiffer than the rest of the way downhill. The first
day was equal thick pulling. In the middle of the trail a second wheel dog sank
a bit through the groove spacing and more tired of the other dogs, all were able,
however, reasonably finish. On the second day the dogs started to be more
cautious. Before the middle we saw the team which has left before our team. Dogs
ran the track's longest uphill sharply and catch the team. Our team took the
downhill slower pace because of the second wheeldog put on the "brake",
cause fear of sinking.. So had to
stand on brake carpet, even though my dogs would have been able to run maybe a
little louder. Finish area at the beginning I tried to go over again, but the
dogs had already taken all and not been able to increase speed. Finally arrived
at the finish line with a couple of almost exhaustd dogs.
9.2.2011
Winter season´s, first Finnish Championship raceis behind
us. The result was in Sp6
Championship ninth place and at the
same time (Finnish Kennel Club´s) registered sled dogs Finnish
Champion-competition race test victory. For the first time in many years, I was
very unsure the dogs condition and ability to run a competition. "Six dogs"
distance had been driven only a few times throughout
during the season and the speed hasn´t been very fast. Almost
all the six dogs had run the New Year- and a week after safari and before that
the same training as four dog racing team (about 8 km distance), so this event
has training time only a month and preparing had
to start with extension of
distance. So, high-speed training had little time left. A couple of quick
strokes dogs were digging out the best possible condition of the rehearsals and
in competition the dogs got out of almost everything.
This time the track was hard and wide. The first day of the first
two miles were a little softer due to the wind transported to the snow, which
was packed. The following days the track was hard and "pure" loose
snow cause Juha Laine built a packer, thanks.
Track (12.8 km) the first two kilometers of ice, the next one and a half miles
in the woods, and while a couple of miles on the ice. At the end we had a few
kilometers before the finish will be accounted for. The trail has a pair of
sharper rise and fall and mostly fairly flat (the average Middle-Finnish point
of view).
The first day I did not trust the dogs condition , so I dropped
speed with brake carpet to pace near the training speeds for the first two
kilometer. Thereafter, dogs were allowed to run at their own pace. When the dogs
appeared to survive a very affordable trip, I ventured to the next few days to
give them full run from the beginning. Every day for the last two miles were
painfully long. Dogs saw very well that they have been trained eight kilometers.
The rate fell below 25 km / h after ten kilometers, and the last day a little
bit in the past (well not within eight kilometers of a split began about a mile,
an increase just gone over the entire time 25 km/h). The first day with the
exception of the average speeds were reasonably good (more than 27 km / h),
considering that it was indeed a 'second-team. "
start in Saturday
28.1.2011
Winter´s race season opened in Robur Sprint 8th-9th.January in Toivakka. Raceteam got new rising "star" Dakota as leader. Young boy got into raceteam cause first Leader Apassi broke a nail after Cristmas. Dakota manage well, athough some crossings directions was totally lost. Anselli did her job fantastic and draw Dakota to right direction. This time trails was quite heavy, because of previous day´s and night´s snowing (ca. 10-15 cm) that can not pull off the trail.
First day dogs were able to run quite well four kilometres. Last few kilometres speed got unnecessary down. Second day dogs started sharply, but speed got stedily down after few kilometres. Avg speed wasn´t remarkable, because trail was heavy, weather was warm after long cold period - it took off the sharpest speed. Training to race wasn´t satisfactory: Speedtraining by only one short run. Seasons goal is in March, so dogs dont´t have to be in shape in January yet.
Next weekend was Finnish international team´s camp. Participants wasn´t many, but feeling was good. Camprace with passing training was good training to dogs. Musher got valuable information about skier´s traning to apply in training program in future.
Next aheading Jeris-Race, meanig to take part in six-dog sprint
20.12.2010
6.11.2010
For WC-race season had to improve camera and get new better objective. For a week intencive hunting and compering "It" foud: Canon EF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM. After few test pictures "It" seems to be very suitable and actually good.
Pictures morning training cloudy, grey weather about 9 o´clock:
At twelve 0´clock in sligh snow:
20.10.2010
Dryland season is over. Next race is in January 2011.
In sebtemper in Kausala siberian husky special show Apassi got "very good", Komanssi did not enjoy judge to touch him - he lied down, so " not be judged".
First race in autumn was Pekolan Pakolliset. Unofficial rigrace partiticipated with junior team - testing young dogs. As result was fastest time in race avg speed 27,78 km/h. Dogs in team; as leaders: Polar Speed Polka – McAhon Delaware and wheeldogs: McAhon Devil – McAhon Dakota.
In Ohkola continued 2.10.2010 Danler-Powerline Cup. This time Antti participated in four diffirent classes and for first time to six dogs rig - but only five dogs in team. Dogs ran quite well. Main goal is in Jämi Finnish chamionship - so trainig was not optimal to Ohkola race, witch is seen in speed. DR1 Corvette gave all he can. In finish dog´s head was covered with scum. In DS2 ran smallest dogs, Carina ja Darcelect and they ran quite well. In DR4 ”team number 1” ran quite well, Anselli has overweight and cannot ran same speed as others, but time was reasonable. (One second more than in Ohkola spring race).
Next was VUL´s camp for juniors in Räyskälä (Antti was one of tutors). Racedogs got power- speedtraining for weekend.
In Jämi arranged L-SVU´s traditional autumncamp and Dryland FC in scooter- and rig-classes. Race was biggest dryland race in Jämi ever. Antti partcipated to three classes: DS2, DR4 and DR6. In DS2 ran Corvette and Darcelect, cause they can not yet ran in this time of season for full speed six kilometres (distance in DR2 and DR4 was 4,4,km). Both dogs ran well in both days. Corvette was, as usual, covered with scum in finish. In DR4 dogs ran unsatisfactorily. In both days Anselli did not cope with the speed. Position in race was meaningless, but final time was disappointment. Biggest reason to poor time was Anselli´s overweight - she was not got put off the weight - even we tried to do it. In DR6 dogs ran also quite well. Distance was bit too long compared to training, but it did not show for freezing -actually only in last uphill. Afterwards thinking it might been vice to leave Rocet off the team in second day. But the time benefit has then been few seconds - so, no change to final position.
As result in DR6 silver medal (and only 10 seconds behind gold medal)
Danler-Powerline Cup position finally second with 74,5 points [races: Ohkola springrace (16,5 points), Jämi springrace (20), Ohkola autumnrace (26) and Kärry-SM Jämi (12)].
Look more details here
Pictures from Jämi DR6 (photo Kauko Ruokolainen):
26.8.2010
Dog´s training started bit over week later than previous year. Finally in the end of August was temperature in the early morning (about six o´clock) under 15. Now in racetraining is 12 dogs and rest of the dogs run train to safaries. In winter only 6 dogs are selected to race team - so half of the training dogs are racing only dryland.
In sunday 22nd of august we find ourselves in dog show: Carina was shown by showhandler Kirsi and got "very good". Few dogs are also participating special show of siberian huskies - so have to continue showhandling practice.
18.7.2010
Rudi and Sembra out on the field 2.7.
12.6.2010
In thursday (10.6) we got new member in our dogteam: Lecibsin Grudolf. Rudi is four months old really brisk puppy, brave and keen to contact Mittel Spitz ( German spitz, midle size). Rudi was just in friday " Arctic Crowd-puller" in Finninsh Siberian Husky Club´s stand in Hunting Exebition Riihimäki.
Jämi Spring-race arranged 22.5 with traditional puppy camp. It was one part of Danler Powerline Cup. Meaning was to participate four classes, but six dog´s rig was loan rig and the owner couldn´t come at all - so Antti participated (only :) ) three classes.In 6 dog´s rig class was ment to test young dogs in race for next season and get those experience. Wheather was warm so race moved to late evening and distance shorten to 3,3 km in small classes. Trail was really soft. Result was as expected. In DS1 Corvette ran quite well in warm wheather ande position was 5th. In DS1 Polka and Cherokee also ran quite well, position second. In DR4 dogs ran well half of the trail and then they bit freeze. Time was still reasonable 8:44 (last autumn in same trail time 8:12) position second.
In Danler-Powerline Cup position after two races second half point before thrid position.
Season
09-10
Season was good to our kennel. As result: two Scandinavian Championships (4S C, 4SS C), Finnish Championships: Gold medal (Sp4 C) and Silver medal in 2R and two bronze medals 4R, Sp4 C. In autumn dryland races went well. Dryland Finnish Championship race in Jämi all dogs ran exellent and same speed continued in Ohkola dryland. In winter´s first races running condition was incomplete.Running was quite blocked( obstructed) in Robur sprint, cause hard speed training was difficult to do in our trailconditions. In middle of January Ara hurt his paw(toebone broken ) and his raceseason was over.Luckily in this season at first time there was really good spare dog - good enogh. In Ohkola first round went well with both dogteams. Dogs find speed in spite of soft trail. Second round got jelly: dogs been trained to run 8 km per day ( two rounds for same day was too much) Two weeks after Ohkola was Metsäkartano Sprint( in Rautavaara). Dogs got good rest before race. In Rautavaara trail was soft - in first day had to brake whole round. Second day dogs begin to warn and slowen the speed in soft parts of the trail. In spite of softness main speed was better than in Robur sprint month before, where was good, hard trail. A week after Rautavaara in Ohkola arranged unofficial race. Trail was excellent, so we got brilliant trainig for SOC. In Norway Scandinavian Open Championship ( SOC) frist day went well. Trail profile was very suitable to our dogs and trailconditions was excellent. In second day dogs ran excellent. Third day was bad in Olympic model, mass start went poorly, dogs were thired and running was difficult for all those mix-ups. In late March Oinakka-ajot dogs had lost top condition. Running was really forced, trail extemely soft. Spring dryland races went quite well. Dogs aren´t yet in top condition, but ran still well.
Timing the top condition succeeded. Top was in SOC, which was the main goal of the season. Domestic races was more and less succeeded "training", dogs didn´t ran perfectly in any race.
14.5.2010
Ohkola Spring race arranged 8.5. Antti partisipated in three classes: DS1,DS2 ja DR4; all together six roundsin same day ( each class two rounds in same day with two hours break. First started DR4. Dogs ran quite nicely. Time was good. Stil seemed that they did not go in their best. Wheeldogs ran like unbalanced. We choosed Corvette in DS1. Corvette was right choice, he ran very rough working whole round. In the end part of the trail he saw competitor started before - so in finish Corvette was almost "half dead". DS2 started Polka and Cherokee. Start was poor. Dogs started to run propely after half kilometre. End of the round went without problems - so position 5th after first round.
Musher got under 2 hours break for second rounds to all classes. DR4 dogs ran better time got better 6 seconds.Positon stayed the same; third one and half minute behind the winner. DS1 Corvette ran again well, but rough working in first round made hin seem thired in last part of the trail. Position shared third place almost two and half minutes after winner.DS2 Polka and Cherokee ran in full speed whole round so time got better 15 seconds. Final position fourth bit over one and half minutes behind the winner.
Next race was in Turenki (13.5). This time participated only in DS2 class with Apassi and Anselli. Weather was bit too warm to dogs. Trail was good, hard but speed wasn´t good enought. Position third.
Last race of the season is Jämi and puppy camp. Then is whole season 09-10 over.
Few pictures from Ohkola:
DR4: Sembra, Anselli, Komassi ja Apassi
DS1: Corvette
DS2 Cherokee and Polka
5.4.2010
Off snow season started with ATV again. Some pictures from the training:
Leaders Apassi and Anselli
Carina and Polka
Corvette and Cherokee
Sembra and Komanssi
Biloxi and Rocet
4.4.2010
We ended winter season in Oinakka ajot 2010 20 - 21.3. In this time two teams participated in four dogs class. Second team stated the race almost straight from sleddog safari. Only couple higher speed training before race.Warmer weather and new snow made our trails poor and soft - so last two weeks training had to drive slow speed in deep snow. This took sharpness away from race team, witch was on top in Norway.
Oinakka ajot first day trail was really sinking. Dogs wade almost belly in snow.In results first team was first and second team was third. Diffirence to A-class first Teemu over 7 minutes!
In second day the trail was harder. Teams kept their standings (and diffirense to Teemu was only 3 minutes). First team ran avg speed 25,6km/h, but still best sharpness was gone. Second team ran 22 km/h avg speed,witch is safari team´s normal training speed. Result: Sp4 C –class Finnish Championship and FC bronze medal.
Race season continues in dryland races with rig in may.
Some pictures from Oinakka ajot, pictures © Kari Yliräisänen
12.3.2010
SOC
Text about Scandinavian Open Championship bit later ( in translation )
Two gold medals to our team: Sp4 C and Short Sprint 4-dogs ( Olympic Model, mass start) We are so proud!
At home from Norway. Next to do
is to get ready to new race. I got two golden medals in Nordic Open
championship.
Race trip started on Wednesdays
afternoon. First we drove to Hauho. There we transfered dogs to Micke´s and
Erja´s trailer. So we contined towards Turku with two cars and one trailer.
Then ferry Silja Europa to Stocholm. Silja Europa was only ship in that night,
witch wasn´t got stuck into ice. Still we dodged Mariehamn cause Finnlink
blocked the harbour.Luckily ferry arrived to Stocholm on schedule. Journey
continued throught Sweden to Norway and we were in Hamar about 5 o´clock.
Hanler-Aija left with Micke and Erja to musher´s meeting as representative.I
stayed with Riku and Pasi to prepaire sled´s runners ready to competition.
Friday morning cold and clear
weather in centre of Hamar was -26°C , but uphills in competition area
only -16°C. Four dogs class started at ten o´clock. My own handler centred to
photos (as result about 800 photos during weekend), so Micke and Erja had to be
handlers to my team. Start went well, but in second turn dogs fell beside the
trail into half metre snow - leaders can not see the trail - so they straighten
the turn too much. Leaders got up and going quicly, but lines got mixed. So I
have to stop. After 200 metres I noticed that leader´s neckline is under
hardness so I had to stop again to clear the lines. It took almost one kilometre
to get good running rythmn. Rest of the trail went without problems. I passed
few dogteams. As result best time of the day 44 seconds before next
competitor and avg speed 28,7 km/h. Rest of the day I helped othes Finnish
competitors to start and waiting them to come to finish. Runners
I left to team´s waxer´s problem.
Ensimmäisen päivän lähtö
Lauantaiaamu oli lähes yhtä kylmä kuin perjantai ja sää oli edelleen aurinkoinen. Nelosilla oli vuorossa takaa-ajolähdöt. Ensimmäisenä autoin matkaan Teemun joka lähti sekunnin ennen Norjan Lena Boysen-Hillestadia. Sitten aloin valmistautua omaan starttiini, joka oli 17 minuuttia myöhemmin. Oma valjakko suoriutui tästä päivästä varsin hyvin. Matkalla tuntui ettei kaikki koirat oikein kulje, mutta vilkaisu gepsiin kertoi kyllä jotain muuta. Maaliin tullessa eroa seuraavaan oli kertynyt kokonaisajassa jo yli kaksi ja puoli minuuttia ja keskinopeudeksi toisena päivänä tuli 29,9 km/h. Pyöräkoirat olivat maalissa aika väsyneitä ja hapoilla, mutta kohtuuhyvin ne palautuivat seuraavalle päivälle. Loppupäivä meni samaa raataa kuin edellinenkin. Illalla kävimme porukalla syömässä Hamarin keskustassa ja sieltä suuntasimme palkintojen jakoon Rica hotelliin. Majapaikkaan lähdettiin PM-kulta takataskussa (kaulassa).
Toisen päivän lähtö ja maaliintulo
Sunnuntai oli aamusta lämpöisempi kuin muut päivät, mutta aamupäivästä taivaalle alkoi kertyä pilviä eikä lämpötila noussut enää juurikaan. Nelosissa ajettiin erillisenä kilpailuna short sprint (lyhyt sprintti) yhteislähdöllä. Matkana oli n. 3 x 2,3 km. Lähtöalueelle sopi rinnakkain kuusi valjakkoa, joten niitä jouduttiin laittamaan useampaan riviin. Lähtösuora oli noin sata metriä pitkä, mutta lähes puolet siitä meni ”lähtöloosseihin” seuraavaksi olikin sitten luvassa pari loivaa kaarretta noin 4 metrisellä uralla. A-koirien yhteislähdössä olin handlaamassa Teemun tiimiä. Olihan se melkoista meteliä kun 17 valjakkoa odottaa lähtöä muutaman aarin alueella. Handlereille yhteislähtö useasta rivistä on hieman vaarallista, mm. viereisen ruotsalaisvaljakon molemmat handlerit teilattiin tantereeseen takaa tulleen valjakon toimesta. Ensimmäisessä mutkassa osa valjakoista ajautui ulos radalta ja seurauksena oli melkoinen sotku. Kaikki valjakot taisivat kuitenkin selviytyä radalta hengissä takaisin.
B- ja C-koirat oli yhdistetty samaan lähtöön, kun muuten olisi tullut aika pienet massalähdöt. Omalta osaltani lähtö ei tälläkään kertaa onnistunut ongelmitta. Oma valjakkoni lähti uran toisesta laidasta, pari metriä edellisen päivän lähtöuran vierestä. Koirat päättivät, että toinen lähtöura on parempi ja hyppäsivät matalan lumipenkan yli sinne. Handleri-Riku kahlasi lumihangen läpi kääntämään koirat oikealle uralle. A-koirilla tässä kohtaa oli aita, mutta järjestäjät siirsivät sen pois ilmoittaen ettei näin hitaat koirat tarvitse sellaisia! Siinä sitä sitten lähdettiin takaa-ajoon melkein viimeisenä. Koirat olivat tosin sotkeneet liinansa joten täytyi pysähtyä niitäkin selvittelemään. Noin kilometrin ajon jälkeen sain kärjen kiinni. Toiselle kierrokselle lähdettäessä edellä ajavien valjakot pysähtyivät maalialueen reunaan. Olin juuri ohittamassa toista valjakkoa kun sen johtajat vaihtoivat vähän juoksulinjaa ja tulivat omien johtajieni eteen jotka reagoivat normaaliin tapaan esteeseen eli hyppäsivät yli. Siinä sitä sitten selviteltiin valjakoita. Suomalaisista Mikael Bäckman selviytyi hässäkästä kunnialla ja siirtyi kilpailun kärkeen toiselle kierrokselle lähdettäessä! Itse selviydyin kolmantena uralle. Kierroksen alun ylämäki osuudella ohitin edellä olleet valjakot ja kolmannelle kierrokselle lähdettäessä oma valjakkoni oli kilpailun kärjessä. Sitten koirat ajautuivat/kääntyivät yleisön sekaan ja takana tullut valjakko pääsi ohi, tosin sen valjakon keula hyppäsi uran sivuun parin kymmenen metrin jälkeen. Yleisön (ja ylituomarin) avustuksella valjakkoni saatiin oikeaan suuntaan. Pyöräparin vetoliina oli tarttunut reen jalaksen kiinnityskohtaan ja reki alkoi puoltaa ja lähestyi uhkaavasti rinnalla ajanutta valjakko. Siinäpä sitten hyppäsin korjaamaan liinoja juuri ennen kuin reki olisi törmännyt toisen valjakon koiriin. Kolmas kierros meni sitten ilman sen enempiä ongelmia, takana tulevat pysyivät koko kierroksen ajan tasaisesti reilun sadan metrin päässä. Viimeisen kilometrin koiratkin tulivat jo normaaliin tapaan ja eroa takana tuleviin kertyi lisää. Maalissa eroa oli yli puoli minuuttia. Kokokilpailun ajan koirilla oli vaikeuksia päästä juoksurytmiin, kun kokoajan oli ohituksia ja pysähdyksiä.
Kolmannen päivän maaliintulo (yhteislähtökisa)
Maaliintulon jälkeen pari IFSS:n toimitsijaa tuli ilmoittamaan, että toinen johtaja joutuu dopingtestiin. Seuraavaksi tuli tieto, että ruotsalaiset olivat tehneet pari protestia. Dopingtestiin joutuva koira juotettiin ja laitettiin boxiin odottamaan testiä. Tunnin kuluttua menimme hakemaan toimitsijat valvomaan testiä. Anselli suostui lopulta viiden minuutin kyttäämisen jälkeen tekemään tarpeensa ja osa osui vielä purkkiinkin (90 ml). Tämän jälkeen menimme jakamaan näytteen A- ja B-näytteeseen ja pakkaamaan kuljetusta varten. Dopingtestin jälkeen mentiin sitten selvittelemään jurylle protesteja. Ruotsalaiset olivat tehneet kolme protestia: yhden kiilaamisesta ja kaksi hyökkäilevästä koirasta. Agressiivisesta koirasta oli laitettu saatteeksi, että sama valjakon vasemmanpuoleinen pyöräkoira on jo useamman vuoden ajan käyttäytynyt agressiivisesti kilpailuissa. Pientä hilpeyttä aiheutti se että ko. koira juoksi kolmatta kisaansa koko elämässään ja ikääkin on jo 2,5 vuotta, eikä se ole koskaan nähnyt ulkomaista huskyvaljakkoa! Koira oli kisan aikana parissa ohituksessa tuijottanut ohitettavaa valjakkoa, mutta jatkanut juoksemista aina omaa linjaansa hyökkäilemättä minnekkään. Tuomarineuvosto päätyi lopulta kahteen erilliseen varoitukseen, jotka ilmeisesti lievenivät suullisiksi huomautuksiksi koska niitä ei annettu kirjallisina eikä merkitty tuloksiin.
Kilpailupaikalla oli koko viikonlopun ajan todella avoin ja mukava tunnelma. Kaikki suomalaiset kannustivat ja auttoivat toisiaan minkä omalta suoritukseltaan ehtivät. Kilpailun järjestelyt toimivat kohtuullisesti, tosin jonkin verran jäi vielä parannettavaa ensivuodelle MM-kilpailuihin.
Kotimatkan aloitimme vasta maanantai aamuna. Ruotsin puolella pysähdyimme tutustumaan yhteen "pommi kenneliin", melkoinen lauma erivärisiä pieniä karvapalloja siellä olikin. Laivalla Tukholmasta Turkuun olikin sitten matkustamassa useampi suomalainen. Niinpä tarjosimme Lehtomäen V-P:n kanssa laivan ravintolassa kakkukahvit (omakustanne hintaan) kaikille paikalla olleille suomalaisille valjakkourheilijoille.
-Antti-
17.2.2010
Raceweekend in Rautavaara Metsäkartano Sprint- race. In Sp6 ja SpU -classes Finnish Championship and in Sp4-class arranges Finnish Kennel Club´s Finnish Champion race-test. Our team participated to Sp4-class. In Shoutern Finland there is plenty of snow, but in Rautavaara and Eastern Finland there have been lack of snow. Metsäkartano tralis have first been made on the lakes, on the ice . Few weeks before race also Rautavaara got snow and trails can be made in woods. Unfortunately two weeks is not enough to make hard basis to trails. On the ice raised water - so original tralis became impossible to ride. Tralis were soft - as you can see times.
First day our team started quite beginnig of the class. Sp6 had their race before Sp4 - on the trail was full of holes and soil was soft. Dogs running has to take slowly - brake almost all the way to avoid injuries. In sloping hills coudn´t dare to kick speed to maintain steady pulling to dogs. Time was reasonable in spite of braking and position third 20 seconds behing second position.
In second day the trali became harder, but still soft on some parts. It was ment to get cauht racer before, but dogs desided that trail is too dangerous to running - so they sloved the speed in downhills and became watchful.Time got better 20 seconds, but othes ran faster. Position third. Dogs got Champion -title and REK1 result.
Dogs in team:
SM-REK4-07 SM-REK4-09 SM-REK4-10 McAhon Apache
SM-REK4-09 SM-REK4-10 McAhon Anselli
SM-REK4-10 McAhon Comanche
SM-REK4-10 Wintry Sembra
31.1.2010
More than interesting race day in Ohkola Talviajot: In the morning car´s engine doesn´t start.( accumulator empty although it was loaded day before.)Luckily in garage there was one tractor´s accumulator ready to use - so , we got engine started. Near Lahti one " birdhouse" cliced yellow ( automatic speed control) and now we wait for postman. During the journey to Ohkola watercanister fell and 10 liter water was on the floor inside the car. Lid was badly turned on.
Ohkola´s trail was really interesting, unfortunately soft for weatherconditions. Curly fieldtrail was funny and really nice, challenging to drive. Good training to dogs - it seem that dogteams are going in all directions,
First roud was really good, no any problems.. Timo´s team made fastest roud time of all siberianhusky-teams (Sp6 + Sp4 -class). While going to second roud, just when Timo opening the fastening rope , got mainrope broken- no dogs connected to sled!. Happily near was enough hadlers to help taking the loose team catch. We loaned new lines ( Thanks to Jenni Lautakatto for loaning lines to race!). This all happend three mitutes before start. How quick we all were, we couln´t change dogs to other lines fast enough: result was late start and 3 minutets time penalty and new stating time lastest of the class. So dogs waited almoist 20 minutes in lines. Timo passed several slower teams on the trail. Dogs got tired end of the round, cause distance was half longer than we have trained them to run (2 x 8 = 16 km in same day). Antti´s team started same time while, Timo was still on the trail (- no hanler - no GPS). Part of the dogs went totally jelly in end of the second roud, they even didn´t got exited of passing team. Last kilometer was almost sightseeing.
Result of the day was REK1-result ( first price of racetest) to all 10 dogs and reasonable postition in race. Timo´s team was third siberianhusky team and eight total results and Antti´s team was fastest siberianhusky team and fifth in total results
Next race is after two weeks Metsäkartano Sprint. There is also Finnish Kennel Club´s Finnish champion racetest in four dogs sprint. Only one of our dog teams takes part to the race.
Six-dog team coming to finish, roud one.
28.1.2010
Ohkola winterrace is coming. Ara´s injury put the raceteam mixed. Komanssi was a spare dog, but now he has to take Ara´s place in the first team. We already planned to test Komanssi in raceteam insted of Sembra in some races during winterseason. Now he takes part every race. To Ohkola goes two teams: "first team" (Antti) participates Sp4 and "secondteam" (Timo) Sp6.
Few pictures today´s training and few pictures two weeks ago
16.1.2010 "Second team" ( but Sembra insted of Corvette)
Antti tries to ride new sled
28.1.2010 Second team and driver gets ready to Ohkola
Second round goining on
Timo exercises Bewe driving with team "number One"
Kenneltrainee Jenni drives puppyteam
28.1.2010
Ara operated today: toe´s bone fixed with plate and from femoral bone tranferred bone to fasten bonegrowth. Paw is in gypsum 2 weeks.
20.1.2010
Unfortunate accident to Ara; one toebone was broken week ago and dog´s race season is over. Paw is in support bandage two weeks and new x-ray should be taken after 5 weeks. So dog is in rest till then.
14.1.2010
Last weekend started winter´s raceseason Robur sprint in Toivakka. Kimmo Hytönen had made brilliant tails - good to race. Hopefully there is elsewhere also so exellent trails.
Our team went moderate. As result: first place in class C ( siberian husky and fourth place in total results Sp4). You should be saticfated, but dogs wasn´t in their best at all. Main goal was to get routine in competiting to dogs and to driver routine to handle Danler sled. Driving was really diffirent to Bewe sled. In saturday going was obstructive and not relaxed. Speed wasn´t even in steady parts over 28 km/h and in passing one of the wheeldogs bungled so whole running rythmn got lost. In sundays dogs running was more sensitive and time got better half minute. Whole weekend the driver couldn´t steer the sled propely in turns and passings. Danler didn´t turn easy and fast. Hopefylly one can fix the driving problems by training more.
Next race is after a week Euro-Cup in Rautavaara also pre race to SOC. There is higher golas, but main goal is in March. Trying to find to dogs sensitive and speed and the driver learnig to drive the new sled.
Pictures copyright © Mikael Bäckman
19.12.2009
7.11.2009
Puppies -pages: added puppy-news.
3.11.2009
Dryland season is over. Only two official races this autumn; both had plenty of competitors. Our dryland season was excellent, look the results. Now is time to look ahead: winterseason, next winter and to new year. Golal seem to be in Hamar, Norway Scandinavian Open Championship -race (SOC).Year 2010 SOC is prerace to year 2011 WM-race, also in Hamar Norway.
here pictures from Ohkola 31.10.2009:
13.10.2009
Finnish Dryland Championship in Jämi was maybe biggest race of the whole season in Finland; 80 competitors. It is great to notice that dryland is going strong and get more and more intrest to participate. In every class is plenty of competitors. Also there is more rigs and rollers available - so there is better and real race between competitors.
Race was succeed to our kennel: much more than we expeted. 2R-class silver medal and the time was plesant suprice. ( we expected that mean speed 25 kh/h is possible, result was: 29,95 km/h) 4R-class bronze medal was really positive. Own pesomal record to that trail got remarkable better (time 8:35 => 8:12). Our second team ran their own level, but now it was not better than 9th place.
Pictures Finnish Dryland championship" Pawtrekker SM Jämi 2009" -race is here: http://mcahonkennel.net/kuvagaleria/main.php
Here few pictures from Jämi:
4.10.2009
Only week to Finnish Dryland Championship. Race team1 has over 30 trainig rides , other teams has a bit over 20. Distances has been short, weather is still too warm.
In Pekola, Hattula arranged 27th September "Pekolan Pakolliset" -event. Main part of southern Finland's sleddogsportmen gathered together to unofficial rollerrace.
Mcahon kennel´s second team ( Timo) won the race and kennel´s first team ( Antti) was second.
("team 1" is built uniform and homogenous with same performance to sledraces in 4S sprint races. Dogs are same size, not too small, with capacity to work same rough speed. "team 2" Dogs varies in size, still fast enogh, rough working. Diffirence between those two teams is in power. They are similar in speed and speedendurance)
Dogs in team:
Team 2:
leaders: Polar Speed Polka - McAhon Carina
wheeldogs: Polar Speed Rocet - McAhon Comanche
and team 1:
leaders: McAhon Anselli - McAhon Apache
wheeldogs: McAhon Arapaho - Wintry Sembra
Here some pictures from Pekola race ( copyright Tomi Niemi)
-Antti-
11.8.2009
As we looked the calendar, we almost got panic: Finnish Dryland Championship and only two moths left. So we had to start trainig, altough the weather is far too warm ( almoust like summer). Early in the morning is chilly enough to run dogs with ATV. Dogs seem to be in better shape afterthis summer - so we expect good results for dryland races. Only our male raceleader has put on weigh one kilo. He is on diet now.
14.6.2009
Finnish Siberian husky club elected in 4-dogs class
"Year 2009 sled-driver" McAhon kennel´s Antti Mäkiaho.
5.5.2009
In Ohkola arranged 3.5 unofficial rollerrace. McAhon kennel´s 1. team (Antti) was third; tme 8:22 and 2. team (Timo) was fifth; time 9:02, distance was 4,1 km.
Dogs in team 1:
leaders: McAhon Anselli - McAhon Apache
wheels: McAhon Arapaho - Wintry Sembra
Dogs in team 2:
leaders: Polar Speed Rocet - McAhon Carina
wheels: McAhon Biloxi - McAhon Comanche
Carina and Komassi ran their first race.
1.5.2009
31.3.2009
Polar Speed Polka had second litter today. Six puppies was born. Three males and three bitches. Dad is Wintry Sembra.
29.3.2009
Something about race season 2008-2009
In race season 2008 – 2009 we participated 3 ”rollerraces” and 7 ”sledraces”. Our kennel´s team1 was fastest siberianhusky team in every race. Also team2 went well in those races, where we partcipated with two teams.
Difference to Finnish best mixed-breed raceteams stayed stabile whole winter season. Difference was 4-5,5 minutes time in four dogs sprint distace when trail was hard and in softer trail diffirence was about. 5,5-7 minutes. Biggiest difference to mix-raceteams comes in uphills and in soft trails. Our teams strenght compared to mix-raceteams is fast flat trailparts and downhills. Our meaning in future is to narrow the difference in speed to mix-raceteams by training, still we want to take care of that our siberianhuskies are inside breed-definition.
Compared to previous season there is huge developmet seen. Mistakes in training was taken to learn - you can see it in results. We changed few dog in team to make it more balance and bit faster...
We try to develop training in next season. More training with uphills and also with speedendurance.
Dogs in team 1 : Apassi (McAhon Apache) is brilliant race leader,who is leader in races as long as he is retired. ( not for a long time) Apassi has something that you can´t explain in words. Anselli (McAhon Anselli) developed to good raceleader in rollerraces last autumn. She is now taken her place in team one. Ara (McAhon Arapaho) continues stedy work as wheeldog. Excellent teamdog, who goes and goes and goes. Sembra (Wintry Sembra) ran super first season in raceteam. Sembra is really promising young dog . We wait a lot about him also in future.
Next autumn we test our youngsters in rollerraces. They seem to be promising. Propably in next winter raceteam 1 is the same, but to second team is comig dogs from our c-litter. Maybe we also take part to six dog´s class with the second team...
This season continues with few rollerraces. We try to fight places on the top. Also we try to improve our own record in Jämi trail.
Antti Mäkiaho
23.3.2009
Oinakka ajot 2009 Finnish Championship race and Breedclub´s Finnish champion race-test. Result in race 6/29 and dogs got race champion title: SM-REK4-09 cause the team was fastest siberian husky team in four dogs class.
SM-REk4-07, SM-REK4-09 McAhon Apache
SM-REK4-09 McAhon Anselli
SM-REK4-07, SM-REK4-09 McAhon Arapaho
SM-REK4-07, SMREK4-09 Polar Speed Rocet
Pictures © Hannu Rauhamaa
15.3.2009
Preparing to Finnish Champiship is in finsihing line, Next week is Oinakka Ajot 2009 It seems to be main race of the seanson, cause in SOC was so few Scandinavian competitors.
Prepairing has gone variable, but hopefully last traning sessions make dogs to top mood. Long racing season makes own challenges to training. Long pauses between races are difficult. Also we had difficulties to train the race dogs cause also race dogs run in safaris
Few changes to race team: Wintry Sembra is off the team because of mystic shoulder injury. So Polar Speed Rocet is second wheel dog. We`ll see how big boy can run? Rocet has ran only 2 races in this season and he is not in his best if the soil is soft.
Distance (8 km) in Finnish champinship is best to our team. We have noticed that dogs can run maximum speed 7 kmand after that will be bit slower before final spurt. So, if dogs are in shape, they will be able to run maximum speed whole race.
Antti Mäkiaho
1.3.2009
In Triathlon race Koskenpää arranged 28.2.2009 2 x 10,5 km sprintrace. There was 2 starts in same day. McAhon kennel participate at first time in six dog´s class ( 6S)
Result 3., fastest siberian husky team
In team: leaders: McAhon Anselli - McAhon Apache, speedpair: McAhon Arapaho - Wintry Sembra, wheeldogs: Polar Speed Rocet - McAhon Biloxi
Polar Speed Polka is expecting puppies and no longer in workteam . We expect puppies to be born in week 13, daddy is Wintry Sembra
16.2.2009
Scandinavian open championship - race is over. Unfortunately swedish competitor did not start in the race - so there was no official SOC-championship title to won. We have done all dog training and work with dogs to reach Scandinavian championship in class C"siberianhusky" Antti won the C-class but not in the way he wanted.
About the race: First day in race wasn´t gone well. Route was soft and dogs started to run too slow. At home it is not possible to train dogs in soft snow, because it is only 10 cm snow here. Dog´s paws don´t sink in 10 cm snow. Second day was good. Dogs ran brilliant and time was 1,5 minutes faster than saturday.
2.2.2009
Racing season started in Jongunverranajot 24-25.1.2009 Lieksa. Antti drove 2 teams. He had stomachache in second day´s morning and couldn´t eat anything. Between first and second team was 30 minutes to change dogs. At the first trips end on ice he felt dizzy and he almost fainted. Of couse we foget to buy sportdrinks! So in hurry we feed him with chocolate.
When comig home our car started to have odd noise. At home we did´n find any problem. So we manage to drive to Ohkola, but then frontwheels´s bearing stopped going. Antti hitchiked with dogs, sled and other stuff , to Kirsi´s car to Ylämaa Kasarin salpasäpinät ( results here)
18.1.2009
McAhon Safarit started sled dog rides to customers in New Years Season at Laukaa, Varjola. Our purpose is to arrange sleddog rides mainy at home kennel in our own routes. It is possible to arrange sledride also in customer´s place if there is safe route.
Goal of the season is still racing: Scandinavian Open Championship in Rautavaara, Finland
Few pictures taken in Varola:
Corvette and Biloxi:
Polka and Anselli
Apassi:
Corvette and Biloxi:
