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To
send a letter mail to:
Lance Mackey Mackey's Come Back Kennel
PO Box 10262 Fairbanks, Alaska 99710
Questions?
Most common asked questions:
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QUESTION:
What is your favorite part about racing in the Iditarod
sled dog race?
ANSWER: It's an honor to be part
of my team. I love being with my dogs.
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QUESTION:
What does the term "mushing" mean?
ANSWER: Mushing is a general term
for a sport or transport method powered by dogs, and
includes carting, pulka, scootering, sled dog racing,
skijoring, freighting, and weight pulling. More specifically,
it implies the use of one or more dogs to pull a sled
on snow. The term is thought to come from the French
word marche, or go, run, the command to the team to
commence pulling. "Mush!" is rarely used
in modern parlance, however; "Hike!" is
more common in English. Mushing can be utilitarian,
recreational, or competitive. Mushing as a sport is
practiced worldwide, but primarily in North America
and northern Europe. Racing associations such as the
International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS)
and the International Sled Dog Racing Association
(ISDRA) are working toward organizing the sport and
in gaining Olympic recognition for mushing. It is
the state sport of Alaska. Although dogsled racing
gets more publicity and is seen now as the primary
form of mushing, recreational mushing thrives as an
unorganized sport providing healthy outdoor form of
winter exercise for families. Mushing for utilitarian
purposes includes anything from hauling wood or delivering
milk or the mail to rural travel and equipment hauling.
Dogs have been replaced by snowmobiles in many places,
but some trappers and other isolated users have gone
back to sled dogs, finding them safer and more dependable
in extreme weather conditions.
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QUESTION:
What type of dog do you use for mushing?
ANSWER: Dogs used for mushing depend
on the particular application: freighting dogs tend
to be large and sturdy, racing dogs light and speedy,
with long legs. Breeds used for mushing include Alaskan
Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan huskies, Eurohounds,
German Shorthaired Pointers, Greenland Dogs, Canadian
Eskimo Dogs, Samoyeds, Chinooks, Seppala Siberian
Sleddogs, Japanese Akitas and miscellaneous crossbreeds.
I use Alaskan huskies for my team.
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QUESTION:
Sleddogs have different positions in the team, what
are their titles and what is their job?
ANSWER: Dog team members are given
titles according to their position in the team relative
to the sled. These include leaders or lead dogs, swing
dogs, team dogs, and wheelers or wheel dogs. Lead
dogs steer the rest of the team and set the pace.
Leaders may be single or double; the latter is more
common now, though single leaders used to be more
common during the mid-twentieth century. Exceptionally
a leader may be unhitched (a loose or free leader)
to find the trail for the rest of the team, but the
practice is uncommon and is not allowed at races.
Qualities for a good lead dog are intelligence, initiative,
common sense, and the ability to find a trail in bad
conditions. Swing dogs or point dogs are directly
behind the leader (one dog if the team is in single
hitch). They swing the rest of the team behind them
in turns or curves on the trail. (Some mushers use
the term swing dog to denote a team dog.) Team dogs
are those between the wheelers and the swing dogs,
and add power to the team. A small team may not have
dogs in this position. Alternately, the term may be
used to describe any dog in a dog team. Wheel dogs
are those nearest the sled, and a good wheeler must
have a relatively calm temperament so as not to be
startled by the sled moving just behind it. Strength,
steadiness, and ability to help guide the sled around
tight curves are qualities valued in "wheelers."
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QUESTION:
How many calories does a working sled dog need on
a daily basis?
ANSWER:The daily caloric intake of
a sleddog is roughly 4,500 calories per dog. But by
the time the dogs are racing in the Iditarod, each
dog will take in close to 10,000 calories per day!
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QUESTION:
What do you feed your sled dogs?
ANSWER: I use REDPAW dog food. It
is an excellent dog food. All Redpaw products were
created from the top down with performance as the
number one priority. You can see an increase in muscle
mass, energy, and endurance in your dogs.
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QUESTION:
How many dogs do you have in your kennel?
ANSWER: I currently have 75 dogs
right now including puppies.
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QUESTION:
What are your lead dogs names?
ANSWER: Zorro, Hobo, Larry, Lippy
are my star leaders right now, but there are many
up and coming sled dogs in my kennel that lead well.
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QUESTION:
Do you have other pets?
ANSWER: Oh yes, we have ten house
dogs.
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QUESTION:
Have you ever had hallucinations while mushing?
ANSWER: Yes, it is not uncommon for
mushers to have hallucinations. Years ago the Arctic
Health Institute did do some studies and were able
to show that hallucinations are more a function of
dehydration than sleep deprivation. Since then I have
paid close attention to that and have less problems
with hallucinations.
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QUESTION:
Does it get cold in Alaska?
ANSWER: Yes, it can get very cold.
The average winter temperature where I train (Willow,
Alaska) is 15°ƒ to zero during the day light
hours and can drop to -25° in the evening. On
the Iditarod trail the temperatures can get as low
as -65°.
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QUESTION:
Why do dogs wear coats? Who makes your dog coats?
ANSWER: Alaska's extreme weather
can make some days on the trail very cold. The insulated
dog coats are designed to help hold in warmth on very
cold & windy days so the dogs burn less calories
to keep warm. On warm sunny days we use a light weight,
white reflective coat to cool down the dogs especially
the darker colored dogs so they don't overheat. My
dog coats were made by a wonderful lady by the name
of Silvia Willis (907-357-4220). They are great coats.
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QUESTION:
What are booties and why do dogs wear have to wear
them?
ANSWER: Booties, small sock-like
coverings for the dog's feet, usually made of polar
fleece or cordura material and are used where snow
& ice are sharp and granular or when the team
is traveling a long distance, to protect the pads
of the foot.
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QUESTION:
Do you offer Kennel Tours?
ANSWER: I do on offer kennel tours
once in awhile. Depending on my schedule.
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QUESTION:
Have you ever won the Iditarod?
ANSWER: Yes, in 2007, finishing the
race in 9 days 5 hours 8 minutes and 41 seconds, wearing
bib #13 on March 13th.
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QUESTION:
What awards have you received?
ANSWER:
- 1999 - Honors:
Rookie of the Year PSDRA's Claud Bradford
- 1999 Musher
of the Year Award Kenai Peninsula Sled
Dog Racing Association
- 2002 Iditarod's
"Most Inspirational Musher"
- 2005 Yukon
Quest Golden Harness Award
- 2006 YUKON
QUEST - The Golden Harness
went to Lance Mackey's lead dogs, Hobo Jim and Larry.
Each year golden colored harnesses and steaks are
given to the winning team's lead dogs in honor of
their loyalty, endurance and perseverance throughout
the race.
- 2006 YUKON
QUEST - The Dawson Award for
the first musher to make it to Dawson City, the
races mid-point, and who goes on to finish the race
went to Lance Mackey. Mackey received 4 ounces of
Klondike placer gold.
- 2007 Iditarod
- Chevron Most Inspirational Musher Award.
Lance received an engraved crystal bowl and Chevron
fuel cards valued at $1,000. This award is decided
on by the official Iditarod finishers club (fellow
mushers).
- 2007 Iditarod
- GCI Dorothy Page Halfway Award.
Trophy and $3,000 in gold nuggets
- 2007 Iditarod
Golden Harness Award
Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award Embroidered gold
colored harness for the most outstanding lead dog
- 2007 Yukon
Quest - awarded the Dawson Award
- 4 ounces of Klondike placer gold sponsored by
Joe and Wendy Fellers of Dawson City - for being
the first musher to arrive in Dawson City, and continue
to the Finish Line. Lance told the crowd he was
using some of the gold to enter another dog sled
race based in Nome next season. The sweepstakes
is a winner-take-all run to recognize the Nome gold
rush. The entry fee is a combination of cash and
one ounce of gold. Lance also said he would donate
one of the ounces to fellow competitor Aaron Burmeister
for his entry fee.
Musher Frank Turner
was not able to be at the banquet but sent ahead
a message to Lance Mackey which was read to the
crowd by Executive Director (Alaska), Julie Estey.
'In all of the years
of the Quest that I have participated in (and
unfortunately not long enough this year), there
has never been another musher who has brought
the level of enthusiasm and dog care that you
consistently have brought into play. You are an
inspiration to everyone who loves the sport of
sled-dogs,' said Turner.
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2007 Yukon
Quest Golden Harness Award
Lance Mackey's lead dogs Hobo Jim and Lippy were
awarded the Golden Harness Award which included
two harnesses crafted by Taiga Mushing Supplies
and steaks, cooked by the chef of the Westmark
and presented to the two dogs on stage.
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2008 Yukon
Quest Veterinarian’s Choice Award
Four-time Champion Lance Mackey’s emotional
response to being chosen for the 2008 Veterinarian’s
Choice Award that will stay in everyone’s
mind when the 25th Yukon Quest is but a distant
memory. Lance was his upbeat and humble self while
accepting his prize for First Place for the fourth
year in a row.
When the surprise
announcement came that Lance had been chosen by
the Yukon Quest’s team of 14 veterinarians
for his superb dog care on the trail, the man
they call “invincible” was visibly
shocked and shaken. “This means more to
me than winning this damn race,” said Lance.
In his earlier acceptance speech he spoke at length
about his dog team and how, “for whatever
reason they go out of their way to please me.”
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2008 Yukon
Quest Golden Harness Award
Lance Mackey's lead dogs Handsome and Rev were
given raw steak by the High Country Inn for winning
the Golden Harness Award.
Mackey’s fourth
win this year is a Yukon Quest record. He confirmed
plans to run the Yukon Quest next year with the
goal of achieving five championships in a row.
- 2008 Iditarod
- The PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award
presented to the first musher to reach McGrath.
Lance received a spirit mask created each year by
Bristol Bay artist, Orville Lind for the award and
a $500 credit on PenAir.
- 2008 Iditarod
- Millenium Hotel first to the Yukon Award,
which includes a seven-course meal prepared by the
hotel’s head chef along with an “after
dinner mint” of $5,000. Lance inhaled the
meal in Ruby, where it was awarded. He’ll
get a second chance to enjoy it at a slower pace.
The hotel serves the same meal to the winner at
a later date.
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QUESTION:
You were diagnosed with throat cancer. How are you
today and how do you cope with this?
ANSWER: Lance was diagnosed with
throat cancer after the 2001 Iditarod race and underwent
extensive surgery as well as radiation treatment.
He suffered nerve damage in his left index finger
as a result of the operation to remove the cancerous
tumor. The nerve damage caused such unbearable pain
in the finger that Mackey chose to have the finger
surgically removed. In 2002 he attempted to run the
Iditarod Sled Dog Race with a feeding tube still attached.
It proved to be too much for this determined man and
he reluctantley dropped from the race. In 2003 he
ran again and the rest is history. Lance is 6 1/2
year cancer survivor and doing well. Each and everyday
that he has with his family and dogs is a good day.
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Where
can I send letters?
Answer:
To send
a letter to Lance Mackey mail to: Lance Mackey
Mackey's Come Back Kennel PO Box 10262 Fairbanks,
Alaska 99710.
Please include a self addressed stamped envelope if
you would like a reply.
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2007/2008
SPONSORS
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PERFORMANCE
FEED FOR
SLED DOGS &
OTHER WORKING
CANINES
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Come experience the spirit
of Alaska. Alpine Lodge is a locally owned
and operated business located on the corner
of Dale Road and Discovery Drive, only minutes
from Fairbanks International Airport. Click
here
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Finish Line is a locally owned, none-franchised
company. Our goal is to provide a fine dining
restaurant served with American and Mediterranean
Cuisines. Click
Here |
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Seward Highway
1104 E 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK, United States,
99501
Phone: 907 274-1650
Fax: 907 274-1651 |
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BIG G
ELECTRIC
& ENGINEERING INC.
42005 K-BEACH RD.
SOLDOTNA, AK
99669-8229 |
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The Black Dog
Water St. Bakery
and General Store
WEBSITE
3 Water Street
Vineyard Haven,
MA 02568
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Authentic
Outdoor
Apparel since 1975
Massachusetts - USA
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SIMARD
AUTOMOTIVE
FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
We
are a full service, automotive repair &
maintenance shop serving the Fairbanks area
with many years of consistent and friendly
service. We look forward to serving you.
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Carl Brown
CB Sled
Whitefield, NH USA |
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YOUR MUSHING SUPPLIES |
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Ms
Clem
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A
very special
thank you to
K.O. BISHOP
of
Fairbanks, Alaska
for the use of
a truck when
I really
needed it!
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Salmatoff Seafoods
Kenai, Ak |
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CHARLOTTES
RESTURAUNT
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GREAT ALASKA BUSH COMPANY
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KPO
KENAI PENINSULA ORTHOPAEDICS
291 N. Fireweed St.
Soldotna, Ak 99669
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Outlaw
Body
& Paint
34140 Business Park
Frontage Road
Soldotna, Ak 99669
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FOOD
& REFRIDGERATION EQUIPMENT
1901 W Tudor
Anchorage, Alaska
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FOGTECH™
For about a nickel a day, FOGTECH™ eliminates
fogging on plastic or glass goggles, masks, shields
or sunglasses. Guaranteed or your money back!
Visit
web site |
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BEAR
KLAW
SNOW HOOKS
Howard C. Misner
The Bear Klaw
414 South First Street
Central Point, Or. 97502
541-664-1184
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ELDORADO
HOTEL
DAWSON CITY, YUKON
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COPPER
CENTER
RED SPUD
COMPANY
Copper Center, Alaska
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Dr James Julien
905 Cook Ave. Suite A
Kenai, Ak 99611
QUALITY CARE
FOR KIDS, COWARDS
AND ADULTS |
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