麻豆社区

Race host Darryl Sheepway spoiled Stefan Wackerhagen's chance at a three-race sweep Sunday afternoon, eking out a 15-second win in the one-mile bikejor event.

The third Hot Hounds event of the summer was held at Darryl and Katherine Sheepway's property near Annie Lake.

The three race categories included a 2.2-mile, two-dog bikejor route, a one-mile, one-dog route, and a one-mile, one-dog canicross event.

While Wackerhagen won both the 2.2-mile bikejor race and the one-mile canicross, Sheepway and his reliable husky known as Grizzly took the one-mile bikejor division.

"Me and that dog have won that race before,鈥� Sheepway explained.

"One season in the past, he went undefeated in every Hot Hounds race in the one-dog, one-mile. Grizzly likes that event, and I really wanted him to win.

"He's getting old. He's close to retirement, so I was very happy that I did win that one. This may be his last season as a competitive racer, so I really wanted him to go out and have a really good season, so that was good for him.鈥�

Bikejoring involves racing with dogs leashed to mountain bikes, while canicross involves running behind a dog.

Sheepway said the Hot Hounds events are mostly for fun, but also help keep the dogs active and racing throughout the summer months.

"I don't do a lot of training with the bicycle with dogs, but it's a means of running them in races,鈥� he admitted. "It's more of a way for the community to get together, bring their dogs, have a barbecue and a couple of drinks.鈥�

Bikejoring, the summer form of skijoring, is very common in the mushing world, Sheepway added.

"I think people everywhere in dog mushing circles around the world run dogs with bicycles sometimes,鈥� he said.

"You can get going pretty fast with a bike and a dog,鈥� Sheepway explained.

Fellow competitor Virginia Sarrazin, secretary of the Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon's board, said it has been a great summer season for the group.

"In terms of races, it's been well-attended,鈥� she said. "This one was really good. Lots of people.鈥�

In total, 17 athletes competed at the latest Hot Hounds event.

Sarrazin said while most do not train for bikejoring, it does benefit the race dogs.

"It does keep them active and you're still doing something with your dog in the summer,鈥� she explained.

Wackerhagen could not be reached by the Star for comment.

The final race of the season will take place Sept. 8 at the Takhini Hot Springs.

TOP RESULTS

Bikejoring (2.2 miles)

1. Stefan Wackerhagen (8:55)

2. Adam Robinson (9:35)

3. Cynthia Corriveau (9:45)

4. Fabian Schmitz (10:15)

5. Claudia Wickert (10:41)

Bikejoring (one mile)

1. Darryl Sheepway (4:16)

2. Stefan Wackerhagen (4:31)

3. Cynthia Corriveau (4:52)

4. Alexandra Rochat (4:57)

5. Adam Robinson (5:04)

Canicross (one mile)

1. Stefan Wackerhagen (6:05)

2. Ian Seal (6:10)

3. Katherine Sheepway (6:36)

4. Adam Robinson (6:48)

5. Simi Morrison (6:54)