Jase Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Here is an article I found on the Australian Sled Dog Association website. This bloke resides in the far north of my home state of Western Australia a place that is possibly the most polar opposite of Alaska as is possible. Cheers Jase My name is Christian Turner, I have an addiction...lucky for me its a healthy and a very much legal addiction, Dog sledding. I spend more time thinking about the sport and the dogs than anything else in my life. I spend all my money on the sport. I spend all my spare time talking to people about the sport or looking at footage or pictures of the sport. As I said, I’m addicted... Being an Australian is great! but being an Aussie that is addicted to a snow sport is tough especially when you live in Karratha WA. I have traveled to Canada to Compete in sprint races for 4 winters, while in Canada I would take tours or expeditions to fund my hobby and then venture off to shorter distance races around the country. I became competitive and raced alongside some of the larger kennels like the Steeper’s and the Cooks. As fun as sprint racing is with the speed, large teams and lightweight sled, I felt I was missing something. Adventure.. This winter I will be doing a race; This race is the epitome of adventure. I will be the first Australian in 12 years to compete, hopefully the first Australian to finish since Steve Carrick since 1998. I will be the 4th Aussie to make the attempt and the youngest. My adventure is a once in a lifetime dogsled race across Alaska. The Iditarod. The last 3 years, have been a gradual build up and preparation towards "The last great race on Earth" a 1000-mile sled race (1600km) from Anchorage in southern Alaska to Nome in North Alaska. I spent the last 6 months from October 2012 to April 2013 living in Willow, Alaska, the heart of world Dogsledding. I teamed up with the 2012 Iditarod champion, Dallas Seavey. We trained a core of 40 race dogs which I used to get qualified for the Iditarod. To qualify you must complete 3 races; two 300-mile races and one 200-mile race. I finished in the top 25% in all three races guaranteeing my 2014 qualification. I did a final race to end my season the Two Rivers 200. I entered the race as a rookie and convincingly won the race becoming the first out of Alaskan winner ever. During the races you camp in sub freezing temperatures and drive your dogs through any condition to finish these extraordinary races. The places I will see following the 1600km trail through Alaska are untouched year round and can only be accessed using dog sled. Villages of Native Americans make up the check points, the smiling faces of children seeing the dogs come powering through make this journey inspiring and more than a dream. While the Northern Lights streak across the sky, I travel over frozen lakes and rivers with a team of amazing canines striving to complete the hardest race on earth. Travel and adventure, stoicism and determination are all qualities needed by my team and me. Those qualities were proven in qualifying and will be proven again in the Last Great Race, "The Iditarod". This is my dream and I have been living it and would love to continue to live it.The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is a not for profit organisation created to maintain the history of dog sledding in Alaska and to honour the Native Alaskan Husky. Dogsledding was the main mode of transport throughout the Northern parts of the USA and Canada. Once skidoos and roads started taking over, the sled dog diminished and nearly became "extinct". The race is a way of keeping the sport and culture alive. The race is seen first hand by over 100, 000 people lining the main streets of Anchorage for the initial start. The Internet following continues to grow, especially with live GPS tracking. The Iditarod annually creates a video documentary on the race as well as newspaper articles and the Iditarod annual magazine, the media hype following this race is nothing but staggering. So please follow me in the race and enjoy the experiences with me as i bring this sport to Aussies from the other side of the world. This link is a short movie that I created after my 6 months of qualifying, please enjoy: You can also follow me on Facebook via my Dog sled page +50 to -50 (may have to access page via Christian Turner Cheers Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osinn11 Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Awesome. I will be following the race again next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 This is the most awesome event in the year. I love F1, Tour de France, the Ashes and more, but IDITAROD IS THE ULTIMATE. I can't wait to see how you get on. I take my hat off to this guy!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 seriously. . . . he should emigrate to Canada Hats off to him for his determination and tenacity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 seriously. . . . he should emigrate to Canada Hats off to him for his determination and tenacity ... and leave this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmscott Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 There's more than a couple mushers in the Southern US and I know of an Iditarod competitor in southern California. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 ... and leave this 9004981olfkarratha1.jpg images.jpeg karratha.jpg If he's that obsessed by the sled dog racing then Yes. I've been to Canada twice it's a beautiful country with fantastic friendly people. Oh, yeah, that's not the sea that's Lake Winnipeg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 ....I am not saying Canada is not amazingly beautiful, It sounds like he has the best of both worlds without needing to emigrate - then again I might just be a too patriotic of my home state Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 There's more than a couple mushers in the Southern US and I know of an Iditarod competitor in southern California. Yeah, I think I read of a Florida team and wasn't there also a Mexican team??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 ....I am not saying Canada is not amazingly beautiful, It sounds like he has the best of both worlds without needing to emigrate - then again I might just be a too patriotic of my home state I was thinking in the long run he'll save money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 I was thinking in the long run he'll save money Actually I was thinking that he must spend a bomb The Pilbara region where he lives is the heart of Iron ore mining in Australia, he could be on $180,000 (105,000 GBP) + for six months work if he has been working the mines for a while. He could be on double that if he is highly specialised. Big bucks up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Actually I was thinking that he must spend a bomb The Pilbara region where he lives is the heart of Iron ore mining in Australia, he could be on $180,000 (105,000 GBP) + for six months work if he has been working the mines for a while. He could be on double that if he is highly specialised. Big bucks up there. LOLWhere's the Aussie emigration forms. . . booking my ticket now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmscott Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 ALL mushing is expensive. lol. have to keep dogs, repair and replace gear, vet bills, travel, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted August 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 LOLWhere's the Aussie emigration forms. . . booking my ticket now LOL, yeah, I have seriously been thinking of moving up there, just hard with my young family and my elderly parents down here. Mind you, those photos show the nice bits of Karratha, it can be very hard and a pretty inhospitable climate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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