DIAVIK 150 Canadian Championship Dog Derby

2007 Mushers

MUSHERS	PROFILE
Grant Beck YELLOWKNIFE, NWT	Grant Beck has been running dogs since he was a young boy. He ran and won his first race at 9 years of age. Today, Grant has a kennel of 160 racing dogs and he has raced hundreds of races in Canada, the US and Europe. Some of the highlights of Grant's racing career include winning: The Pirena Sled Dog Race in Spain in the Prynese Mountains, winning many stages of the Alpirod Sled Dog Race in Europe (France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria), Placing 3rd in inaugural La Grande Odyssee in 2005. He has also won the World Championship Dog Derby, The American Dog Derby, The Seeley Lake Montana 200, Le Defi De Lac St. Jean in Quebec, Elkford, British Columbia Sled Dog Derby and many other races during his career. Grant is a 4 time Canadian Champion Dog Sled Racer and was ranked 2nd in the International Federation of Sleddog Sports Mid Distance World Cup Program in 2005. This year Grant won the Mancos Mush Sled Dog Stage race in Colorado and also won the Caledonia Classic Sled Dog Race in Fort St. James, BC. Grant operates the largest Sled Dog Tour operation in the NWT. Grant was one of the founding members of both the Yellowknife Dog Trotters Association and the NWT Dog Sledding Association. Grant is looking forward to racing in the 2007 Canadian Championship Dog Derby in his home town.

Carol Beck YELLOWKNIFE, NWT	Carol began running dogs with her brother Gary in 1981 in Yellowknife. She met Grant Beck in 1983 and the rest is history! She has now "gone to the dogs" full time. Carol has raced for the last 26 years in many races in North America. Some of her accomplishments include: 2nd Mancos Mush Stage Race (12 dog), Colorado, USA 2007 3rd Caledonia Classic 12 dog Sled Dog Race, Fort St. James, BC 2007 2nd Elkford Wilderness Classic 10 dog Sled Dog Race, BC 2006 3rd American Dog Derby 6 dog race, Idaho, 2006 2nd La Mastigouche 6 dog race, Quebec Other races in the NWT that Carol has ranked in include: Rae Dog Derby - 10 dog Yellowknife's 30 Miler - 10 dog Yellowknife's Christmas Race - 10 dog Fort Resolution NWT Championship - 10 dog Fort McPherson - Womens Race Carol is a very active dog sled racing volunteer. She is presently the Regional Director, representing Canada for the International Federation of Sled Dog Sports, she also chairs the Nomination Commission. She is also the Vice-President of the NWT Dog Sledding Association and has served many terms with the Yellowknife Dog Trotters Association. Carol and her husband Grant are co-chairing the 2008 Arctic Winter Games Dog Sledding Committee. This will be Carol's first time racing the Canadian Championship Dog Derby. Carol is sponsored by Beck's Kennels and Sport North and will be racing her leaders Molina and Lariat during the 2007 Canadian Championship dog derby.

John Beck YELLOWKNIFE, NWT	First Race: 1975 Dogs in Kennel: 40 Handlers: Heather & Trista Beck Best Finishes this year: 1st Walliston SK 1st Yellowknife 30 Miler 2nd The Pas MB World Championship Championship Notes: John won the Canadian Championship in 2002 and placed second in 2005.

Sam Perrino YELLOWKNIFE, NWT	First Race: 1991 Dogs in Kennel: 40 Handlers: Petra and Quinn Perrino Best Finishes this year: 5th in Jacksonhole, Wyoming Championship Notes: Sam has battled for top spot in the Canadian Championship almost every year he's entered.

Brent Beck YELLOWKNIFE, NWT	First Race: 1985 Dogs in Kennel: 25 Handlers: Fred Lafferty, Rocky Lafferty Best Finishes this year: 6th The Pas MB World Championship Championship Notes: Brent loves to have fun in front of his hometown crowd, and is known to do whatever it takes to win a race. He is currently undefeated on days he wears a dress with purple flowers.

Trevor Lizotte YELLOWKNIFE, NWT	First Race: 1995 Dogs in Kennel: 40 Handlers: Adrian Lizotte & Wynter McQueen Leaders: Shark and Snow Best Finishes: 1st in the 20 miler Dec, 2006, 1st in the 30miler- Jan 7, 07, 5th in the Diavik 150 March 2006. Sponsors: Northern Lites Motel, Arctic Express, Sombe Ke Enterprises, Moskegon Consulting Trevor was born in Hay River and has spent most of his life here in Yellowknife. He was inspired to be a dog musher because of his grandpa Danny McQeen 5 time Champion of the 150 miler. He continues to run dogs in memory of his grandparents Doris and Danny McQueen. He hoes to keep the family tradition alive.

Julian Landry KAKISA, NWT	First Race: 1994 Dogs in Kennel: 20 Handlers: Henri Landry Races per year: 8 Championship Notes: Julian has been a fan favourite for many years in Yellowknife. Winning the Red Lantern has become an annual tradition for this NWT musher.

Richard Beck YELLOWKNIFE, NWT	First Race: 1969 Dogs in Kennel: 40 Handlers: Monica Woods Best Finishes this year: 2nd in Woboden MB Championship Notes: Richard has been one of the top mushers in this event almost every year he's entered.

Oggie Pelov

Wendy Davis	Wendy began mushing in 2000 in Oregon. It was during a race in Oregon that she and Lloyd Gilbertson met and decided to join forces. Wendy has been running Lloyd and Mary Gilbertson's dogs, who are based out of Michigan, since 2003. Wendy is from Lander, Wyoming and works for the National Outdoor Leadership School leading climbing expeditions. "I got into dogs through guiding, and moved into racing after 2 years. I much prefer racing over guiding. I particularly enjoy the dog care that goes on during race season. Although, my favorite part of running dogs is the dogs themselves and the relationship that grows between dogs and musher".

Dave Poitras	It took me until 1977 before I won two races and came in 2nd in another. In 1978, 79, 80, 94 and 2005 I ran the Canadian Championship (Diavik 150). Believe it or not I finished 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th in each succeeding year. Going in the wrong direction!! This year I hope to reverse that trend and move in the other direction. Our kennel has won races in Fox Creek, Alberta, Fort Simpson 2 X, Kakisa Lake, Fort Smith 3 X, Pine Point, Fort Chipewyan, and we have numerous 2nd and 3rd place trophies. We have rarely placed 'out of the money'. This past weekend my son won the ten dog race in Fort Simpson and came in 2nd in the six dog. I was born on the trapline and so I have been around dogs all of my life and it has become a lifestyle. Without strong family support we could not continue to compete. My son and me operate a 30 dog kennel that consists of dogs bought from Lloyd Gilbertson, Terry Streeper and our own bloodlines. We usually have around 20 adult dogs to work with. Our sponsor is Salt River First Nation from Fort Smith, NT. Without their support it would be very difficult to travel. My handler will be my son Matt and leaders will be Cass and Deanna.

Craig Houghton	I grew up running dogs for trapping, recreation, etc., but I have only been racing for the past 11 years. I have run a variety of races from sprints races to 300 miles continuous format. My house has numerous red lanterns scattered throughout but I am hoping that I do not bring one home from Yellowknife. I run dogs because I love the dogs and enjoy developing the potential of each dog. My leaders names are Grissom and King. I have 20 dogs in my Kennel. My team sponsors are my wife and my parents. My handlers name is James Waddell.

Warren Palfrey	From:Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Age :31 Warren Palfrey has been running dogs since he was 11 years old. He and wife Kate operate Northern Star Kennels, home to 60 Alaskan huskies all powered by FirstMate dog food. Both Warren and Kate and their sons, Sam, 13, Peter, 9, and Jesse, 7, are all passionate about dog mushing. Warren has been racing professionally since 2001 finishing the Iditarod, past IPSSSDR, the AttaBoy300, The Canadian Championship 150, La Pas just to name a few races. In 2005, Warren was the first musher to be awarded the Seppala Heritage Grant. This year's highlight was Warren and Kate being awarded the "Best Cared For Dog Team" Award at the 350 mile Race to the Sky in Montana after his second place finish. Warren and Kate give kennel tours and do educational talks wherever they can. Sponsored locally by UpHere Magazine.

Dave Hochman	Dave Hochman is from St Malo, Manitoba. He has been racing dogs for 28 years and is 44 years old. Dave is married with two children. Mushing is part of his French Canadian heritage. Dave placed 2nd in this year's World Championship Dog Derby in The Pas, Manitoba, he also placed 2nd in the Cross Lake, Manitoba sled dog derby. He has raced many races over the years including placing 2nd in Laconia's World Championship dog derby in 2004. He was 10th in the Rondy in Alaska in 1998 and has also raced in Minnesota, Wisconsin and across western Canada. Dave is sponsored by Tuffy's Dog Food, Prairie Dog Supply and Zin Pro. This will be Dave's first attempt at the Canadian Championship Dog Derby and he is looking forward to it very much.

Anna Anderson	Age: 25 Started running dogs in 1988. I am from Ray Minnesota a small community located an hour south of the Canadian Border. My husband and I own and operate a 45 dog kennel. Some of the races I have competed in are the UP 200 (Michigan), Grand Portage Passage (Minnesota), and John Beargrease Sled Dog 150 (Duluth, Minnesota). I really enjoy training my own dog team and watching them excel in the job they love. Racing in the Dianvik 150 is a thrilling experience for me.