What pandemic?
On Jan 30 & 31, nearly one hundred
gathered to celebrate their love for
their dog and a sport known as
skijoring, an obscure winter sport
with roots in Norway and Alaska,
that has found a home here in
Minneapolis.
The City of Lakes Loppet is an annual ski festival weekend attracting thousands to participate in dozens of events. One event however, while not the largest, is most definitely the most popular spectator sport. But not this year….
City of Lakes Skijoring Loppet weekend, Jan 30 & 31, 2021
Not your usual Loppet but nearly 100 teams registered for this wildly popular event. Starting format changed a bit to conform to Covid protocol required to hold this event. Skijorers are nothing if not adaptable and everyone did beautifully. Sadly, no spectators were permitted so this usually lively event seemed a bit subdued. Not subdued in the least was the competition and fun had by the skijorers and their mighty dogs. The weather was cooperating and the ski trails were pristine and fast.
The City of Lakes Loppet hosts the One Dog National Championship and Two Dog National Championship as well as a recreational 5K and 3K for the brave beginners.
Saturday
Saturday 10K Chuck & Don's One Dog National Championship is run on the world class, expertly groomed trails of Theodore with which has previously hosted the Nordic Masters World Cup and was the selected site of the 2020 FIS Cross Country World Cup. If only…
26 teams completed 2 laps on the 5k trail allowed to use one dog competing for the One Dog National Championship title.
Congratulations to Niina Baum your 2021 Women’s One Dog National Champion!
1 Niina Baum from Rhinelander WI
2 Melissa Omernick from Gleason WI
3 Ally Anderson from New Brighton MN
Congratulations to Rich Kisseloff your 2021 Men’s One Dog National Champion
1 Rich Kisseloff from Algonquin IL
2 Will Bomier from Mahtowa MN
3 Tyler McKean from Maplewood MN
Chuck and Don’s Skijor Loppet 5K
25 skijor teams took the same trail as the 10K One Dog National Championship but went straight to the finish after 5k. Many skijorers with a taste for competition get some experience in this event and some even move up to the join the competition in the 10k.
Chuck and Don’s Skijor Loppet 3K
30 Skijor teams hit the world-class Wirth trail with some of the greatest varieties of dogs and skiers for that matter. Many just starting to learn, but none-the -less came to join the fun and see what kind of animal they have is lying in wait for just this kind of event.
All race results for Saturday Skijoring events are posted on
Sunday
Sunday 10K Chuck & Don's Dog Skijor Loppet and Two Dog National Championship
10 teams registered for Sunday’s point to point event that started this year on Wirth Lake and finished at the Trailhead in Theodore Wirth. Over the years this event has had many looks as dictated by weather, snow conditions and this year by covid. However this year’s early start avoided the warm up expected later in the day making for a solid and fast trail. This race allows a skijorer to use one or 2 dogs. One might think 2 dogs an advantage, but as even the most experienced skijorer will tell you tell you, two dogs can be four times the trouble. Plenty of challenges today for the top teams that still turned in impressive times.
Congratulations to Niina Baum your 2021 Women’s Two Dog National Champion
1 Niina Baum from Rhinelander WI
2 Ally Anderson from New Brighton MN
3 Cynthia Osterling from Minneapolis MN
Congratulations to Dennis Curran your 2021 Men’s Two Dog National Champion
1 Dennis Curran Plymouth MN
2 Rich Kisseloff Algonquin IL
3 Tyler McKean Maplewood MN
Race results for Sunday’s Two Dog National Championship are posted on
Finally, in recognition of the hardest working skijor teams on the weekend we have the 2 Day Combined National Championships
Congratulations to Niina Baum your 2021 Women’s 2 Day Combined National Champion
1 Niina Baum from Rhinelander WI
2 Ally Anderson from New Brighton MN
Congratulations to Richard Kisseloff your 2021 Men’s 2 Day Combined National Champion
1 Richard Kisseloff from Algonquin IL
2 Tyler McKean from Maplewood MN
3 Jayson Pereira from Minneapolis MN
4 Aidan Windebank from Longville MN
Race results for 2 Day Combined National Championships are posted on
Special thanks to the Loppet Foundation, the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival who have supported Skijoring at this event for 15 years and Chuck and Don’s who have a been longtime supporter of Skijoring and this event including the crazy things we did during the Super Bowl when it was down-right chilly, they were always there.
On a personal note, I want to thank the K9 Powered Sports team that stepped in and ran the event like clock-work in my absence. Jonathan Thompson, Nicole Reynolds, Dallas Johnson, Frances Wise and Kris Zellmer did an outstanding job in making this event happen. From the outside it likely looks pretty straight forward, but in fact there are many moving parts to keep track of. It’s comforting to know we have the people we need to make it happen.
This is the event that started it all. We now have Skijoring at all the major Ski festivals in the Midwest including the Rennet, the Vasaloppet, the Birkie and the Noque in upper Michigan. Interested in joining us? Contact Kevin Murphy @ kevinmmurphy@comcast.net.
Thanks
Kevin Murphy
K9 Powered Sports
