SHOP

HOME

CURRENT EVENTS

SPONSORS

JOURNAL

HUSKIES

MUSHERS

HANDLERS

RACES

DOWNLOADS

Dog Sledding Links

Jedeye International

Jedeye In Italy

International Siberian Husky Club

2008 John Beargrease Sled Dog Race
MCK Race Teams:

This year's Beargrease was a Great Event! Blake and Jen each took a team in the Marathon, but Jen's race was cut short before it began due to a crash in the starting gate that resulted in a broken hand. Blake and his team did a wonderful job covering the trail in some of the most incredible weather conditions possible - from temps steady around 37 degrees for the first 36 hours, to 8 hours of steady rain... 1.5 inches fell! Then on to -60 below windchills, all in 3 days!!
Arja and Phil each ran a team of young dogs in the Mid-Distance race and did a fantastic job!
MCK friends John Vitek and Dave Lundberg were also in the Mid-Distance race.
Thank you to all the supporters, sponsors, and pit crew for all your help!
It would be an impossible venture without you!

Blake's Marathon Team
Blake finished in 8th place with 9 dogs - Jodi and Mac in lead.
Good Job, Blake!

photo by Clint Austin
Blake Freking of Finland crosses the Temperance River after leaving the Sawbill checkpoint during the 2008 Beargrease Marathon. [CLINT AUSTIN/NEWS TRIBUNE]
Photo by Clint Austin Photo by Clint Austin
Photo by Clint Austin Photo by Clint Austin
Blake Wrapping Wrists after a hard trail - photo by Don Deckert Resting Dogs - photo by Don Deckert
Blake's Team through the crowd - by T&J Pospichal
Blake's Finish by Bonz

Phil's Mid-Distance Team
Phil's Team photo be Camille H

Arja's Mid-Distance Team
Arya's Team photo By T&J Pospichal
Arja Mortensen of Suomussalmi, Finland Took a team of 8 dogs, including 6 two-year olds in their very first race, through the 150 mid-distance race in beautiful form. Each succesive leg of the race their speed increased and all eight dogs finished with tons of energy, ready to go some more. Great Job, Arja!

Jen withdrew from the Beargrease Marathon due to a crash in the starting chute that resulted in a broken hand that required surgery. She's working on healing and won't let this keep her from the Iditarod!

Jen's Start

Jen at start - by Liz Busa

Jen in the Chute - by Camille Haglin

Jen's team ready to go - by Liz

Jen stepping on her brake at the start. By Camille Haglin

Jen is off - by Liz

Jen's Crash - by Lisa Berndt

Jen's Crash
- by T&J Pospichal
Jen with her hand taped - by T&J Pospichal

Jen with Broken Sled, Hand Taped, and Aires in Sled - by L. Dunlap

Jen post-surgery - by Bonz

Vet Check: 1/26/08
Phil by Liz Busa Arja by Liz Busa
Jen vet check by Liz Busa Blake vet check by Liz Busa
Bonnie by Liz Busa Jon by Liz Busa
Marilyn

NEWS COVERAGE!
Jen and Blake were featured in the Duluth News Tribune:
"Finland couple's lives revolve around racing dogs"
See the beautiful Photo Gallery - "One With The Dogs",
And the awesome Video Interview,
THANK YOU to Steve Kuchera for such a great story,
and photographer Clint Austin for the wonderful images!

Congratulations to Dave Lundberg and John Vitek
for good Mid-Distance runs as well!

Dave's Mid-Distance Team
Dave's Team - photo by Bonz Dave's Team - photo by Bonz
Dave's Team - photo by Bonz Dave & Bonnie

John's Mid-Distance Team
John Vitek's Team - Photo By L. Dunlap
John Vitek's Team - photo by Bonz John Vitek's Team - photo by L. Dunlap