Musher wins Sheep Mountain 150 for second time

Dec. 19, 2006

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - Lance Mackey never let up during the Sheep Mountain 150 sled dog race, leading nearly the entire way before claiming the top spot Sunday morning at the Sheep Mountain Lodge.

Mackey grabbed the lead Saturday afternoon by making the run between Sheep Mountain and the Eureka Lodge in 3 hours, 46 minutes. Saturday night, Mackey stormed off into the darkness with the lead, and was the first musher to complete a loop that went out to the Little Nelchina River before returning to Eureka. Following a second 5-hour layover in Eureka, Mackey then raced the original trail back to Sheep Mountain.

&#8220And he actually did his last leg one minute faster than his first one,” race director and lodge owner Zack Steer said by phone from his lodge Sunday afternoon.

Jessica Hendricks of Two Rivers arrived in Sheep Mountain 21 minutes behind Mackey to claim second place, followed by Whitehorse's Gerry Willomitzer 15 minutes later. Sebastian Schnulle of Whitehorse finished in fourth, five minutes ahead of Hans Gatt of Atlin, B.C. in fifth position.

For his efforts Mackey, a two-time Yukon Quest champion from Kasilof who now lives and trains in Fairbanks, received a $1,750 check and a new 2006 ERS mid-distance GATT sled designed by Hans Gatt.

Steer said Mackey's team looked practically unbeatable as the race wore on, and when Mackey finished the race, his 11 dogs looked nearly as fresh as when they started.

&#8220They looked like they could do another one,” Steer said.

Steer said he was happy with how this year's race turned out, with good weather and a trail that featured a good, hard packed path.

&#8220Overall it went well,” he said. &#8220The weather cooperated, we had a little snow and a fast trail.”

Steer said he thinks the race accomplished its goal of giving mushers a good taste of early-season competition as they prepare for some of the bigger races of the year.

&#8220They got their money's worth,” he said. &#8220It was a good weekend.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at

352-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com.