Canadian mushers top Flathead Sled Dog Days

More than 300 sled dogs, 13 women and 19 men competed in the fourth annual Flathead Sled Dog Days over the weekend.

Canadian mushers finished in the top spots for the 12- and eight-dog races.

Top honors in the 12-dog class went to Warren Palfrey of Quesnel, B.C., Canada with a time of 7 hours, 27 minutes over the two-day race, running 40 miles each day. Charlotte Mooney of West Yellowstone was second in 7 hours,45 minutes.

Snow conditions on Saturday made for difficult travel with up to 10 inches of new snow. Teams had faster times on Sunday.

Of the 33 dog mushers who competed, five were teenagers (three girls and two boys).

Purse money of more than $4,000 was distributed to the top mushers of each class. For more information, visit www.flatheadsleddogdays.com.

12-dog class

(40 miles each day)

1. Warren Palfrey, Quesnel, B.C.    7:27:45

2. Charlotte Mooney, West Yellowstone, MT    7:45:11

3. Dave Turner, Sandy, OR    7:46:46

4. Kate St. Onge, Millville, UT    7:55:51

5. Rick Larson, Sand Coulee, MT    7:56:00

6. Laura Daugereau, Port Gamble, WA    8:40:38

7. Dena Wannamaker, Didsbury, Alberta    8:44:09

8. Rick Wannamaker, Didsbury, Alberta    8:50:18

9. Linda Clarke, Buena Vista, CO    9:01:06

10. Ron Shaw, Wainwright, Alberta    9:09:42

11. Lachlan Clarke, Buena Vista, CO    9:10:01

12. Lindsay Arthur Tamm, Buena Vista, CO    9:24:45

13. Steve Riggs, Olney, MT    9:10:01

14. Josi Thyr, Cataldo, ID    9:41:22

Eight-dog class

(25 miles each day):

1. Jake Golton, Bancroft, Ontario    3:37:54

2. Aaron Peck, Grande Prairie, Alberta    3:47:14

3. Tyler Dinsdale, Quesnel, B.C.    4:01:17

4. Brenda Birrell, Kimberly, B.C.    4:03:44

5. Aiyana Ferraro, Victor, MT     4:04:16

6. Jenny Greger, Bozeman, MT    4:09:39

7. Rob Greger, Bozeman, MT    4:17:05

8. Thad McCracken, Portland, OR    4:17:37

9. Sara Parr, Whitefish, MT    4:18:49

10. Steve Duren, Spirit Lake, ID    4:22:21

11. Roy Etnire, Seeley Lake, MT    4:24:23

12. Jean Wise, Sand Coulee, MT    4:28:13

13. Butch Parr, Whitefish, MT    4:32:18

14. Ted Mizner, Deer Lodge, MT    4:34:32

15. Rob Loveman, Seeley Lake, MT    5:04:42

Four-dog class

(4 miles each day)

1. Nicki Arndt, Darby, MT    35:37

2. Rachel Wannamaker, Didsbury, Alberta    40:32

3. J. Downs, Missoula, MT    1:02:51