Mr. Wallace's 5th Grade Class at Esko, MN

What a great reception by the 5th Grade Class at Esko, Minnesota. A fun break before getting ready for the last race of the season at the Snowflake International Skijoring Classic this weekend, March 1-2.

Day 2 results: 35th Annual Paul Bunyan Sled Dog Challenge

Hello….Sunday was a very beautiful day at Bemidji but it was also warm. By the time Robb went out at 10:48 it was 36F. We were both worried since this is a very steep trail and the dogs really work hard the whole run. Well, Robb’s team was one of the few that increased their time. It was only 4 seconds but everyone else was dropping about 30-60 seconds. He held 5^th and in a 2 day combined time was only 53 seconds out of 3^rd place! This is out of 15 teams all of whom are very serious about the 4-dog Pro Class. (There were a total of 19 teams). It also turns out that it was a 5 mile trail (4.98). This was Robb’s best race and finish….I am very proud of him. We will have a fun time at Snowflake this coming weekend and then Robb will be home a week from tomorrow. Wow. I had a good run on Sunday but got bumped to 6^th. (It was 43F by then). We both have had a excellent season and the dogs are still happy and healthy. Ken

Day 1 Results: 35th Annual Paul Bunyan Sled Dog Challenge

Hello from Bemidji…..Robb & his team had a fantastic day. He is 5^th! This was the steepest and toughest trail yet. The team was in racing mode and it showed. He went out 3^rd…passing the team in front about 2 miles into the 4.5 mile course. His time is right in line with all the other’s…3^rd – 16:31…4^th – 16:40…….Robb(5^th) – 16:56…….6^th – 17:16. Out of 19. After I ran my team on the trail I will tell you that there is no way Robb could have done this race last month. He improves his dog and sled skills with every run. I finished 5^th also (out of 19) so the JDT truck is looking good for Sunday. Take care. Ken

Top: Robb with Shelby 1st place winner of the 2 Dog class

Ken and Robb

Sunbathing Minnesota style

Robb Ranked in Top 10

Wanted to let you all know that in the ISDRA points standings Robb, as of now is ranked 9th in the world out of 75 pro racers worldwide. In the top 10!! This is in the Adult 4 Dog Sled Speed Class…..you can check it out at isdra.org and go to standings, then to 4 dog adult speed. I am ranked 4th right now with a chance at a medal in the 6 dog. We will get more points at Bemidji. See you on the trail. Ken

Robb Finishes 8th at Pine River Run, Merrill, WI

Wow what a good and fun day. Sunday at Merrill was tough on everyone since it was snowing hard.

The trail was much slower and it really mattered what type of plastic or waxed runners used on the trail. Robb & I got it right this time. Robb had a downhill flying pass with Ted Wallace since Ted had not gotten the runners right. While all teams were slower most were slower by almost 2 minutes….Robb only by 1 minute. He moved up to 8th out of 24….had a very fast day time and came in feeling like a racer.

His times were Sat/15:45:85….Sun/16:57:98….the fastest day time Sunday was 15:48:40 from Beth Castaldi. This was a 4.5 mile course through Wisconsin farm land with the first 1 ½ miles up a steep hill. I also did well, only losing a minute on Sunday and moving up to 4th out of 23. Ken

First race at Pine River Run in Merrill, WI

We had a good day at the races. Robb had a clean run and is 9th out of 23. He is only 8 seconds behind Ted Wallace. There were a lot of people there…more than usual. The trail leaves out and immediately climbs a long steep hill. It’s amazing that the dogs do it so fast. The weather will be nice for the race tomorrow and most importantly we are having fun. Hope all is well at the other races. Ken (I’m 6th out of 24)

Cool Supporter in Kearney

This young gentleman showed up already to support the JDT. He was a real pleasure to meet. Thanks for coming out to see us Jonathon!

Thank You Kearney

Robb & I both wanted to Thank You all for everything. We had the best race weekend by far at your race. All the people involved from the race committee, volunteers, town people, sponsors, spectators and the mushers were fantastic. Your enthusiasm and generosity was unbelievable. All the staff were so nice and the trail people were great. We would Love to come back next year. We also wanted to Thank You for the wonderful letter and gift box. The pictures are great….a special thank you to Jeff.

From Damion Robb, Ken Davis and the Jamaican Dogsled Team, THANK YOU Kearney!!

Letter from Jeff Johnston, Mayor, Town of Kearney

Robb finishes 10th at the 14th Annual Kearney Dogsled Races

Hello….Wow what a race! We had a great time. The whole town turned out to either help or support the race. There was a lot of spectators…not sure of the number but in the thousands. Most people were very interested or had heard of the JDT. The Town of Kearney treated us like we were ‘Rock Stars’!

Robb had a fantastic run and improved is time by over a minute and a half. Caught the team in front of him and took 10th out of 22 Pro’s and total of 28 teams. This was by far the most complicated trail and not for a rookie driver. Robb did great and really learned even more….he is becoming a real professional. Robb is well liked and respected on and off the trail, even in this short time. This is very important….this sport cannot have boneheads since that is how dogs get hurt.

In my opinion this was the biggest and best race this year. Haliburton was really good but I am very impressed with how things went at Kearney. While the trail needs some changes the amount of support and enthusiasm is amazing. I would love to go back next year. Hope to find some of the trail pictures from Kearney but not sure of all the photographers. We received a wonderful letter from the Mayor of Kearney which I’ll scan and send out to you. There is also a nice little poster that will look good in the museum in JA. All I can say is that the JDT was a big hit in Kearney and Kearney was a big hit with the JDT! Thanks to all involved. Ken

Day 1 Results: Kearney Sled Dog Races

Hello… Kearney is a fun place. The race course starts and finishes in town on Main St…so it makes for interesting mushing. Robb had a awesome run going out 2^nd. He caught the team that went out in front of him early in the run…they went out 2 minutes before Robb’s team. He was coming into town when at the last corner, the trail help was surprised that he was there already and then jumped the wrong way causing the team to go down the other trail. He got back on and did indeed lose some time but the Race Marshall said it was the trail person’s fault and Robb was not DQ’d plus they took off 8 seconds off his time. He finished 11^th out of 22…all Pro’s. The team he caught and passed is Lou Serre’s 2^nd team. Robb must have been flying to still be 11^th while getting off the trail for 2-3 blocks. He handled the whole situation like a pro and impressed the Race officials. He has posed for more pictures and signed autographs then you would believe. We have been treated very well here and have been having a lot of fun. Take care, Ken

The Mercer Report -- Rick has some fun at the Haliburton Highland Dogsled Derby

Rick has some fun at the Haliburton Highland Dogsled Derby. Check out the video on The Mercer Report, Feb. 5, 2008.

One mush.

Robb Finishes 11th at Three Bear Sled Dog Races in Land O' Lakes, WI

We had a great weekend. Robb increased his time and his placement in the 4-dog Pro to finish 11th out of 23. Fantastic. His team’s day time on Sunday was right with the top 5. He is having clean runs and riding the sled better every run. I came in from doing the chores this morning and Channel 12, Rhinelander was airing their piece on the Three Bear race. Robb, Danny and myself were all on multiple times and the piece was quite good. Driving back to the Soo area today and will be heading towards Kearney, Ontario on Wednesday afternoon. Another great ‘Mush Mon’ weekend. Ken

Jamaica Dogsled Team to Compete at the Three Bear Sled Dog Races and Games

From: Three Bear Sleddog Race Committee
Date: Saturday, February 02, 2008
Where: Land O Lakes WI

Three Bear Sleddog Race

It’s not often one thinks of sled dog racing and Jamaica at the same time. But this year, musher Damian Robb from Ocho Rios, Jamaica will be competing at the Three Bear Sled Dog Races and Games in Land O’ Lakes Feb 2nd and 3rd.

At 21 years of age, Robb started racing just this past fall in dry land races, a form of sled dog racing but on a rig with wheels and no snow. He works for Chukka Caribbean Adventures Tours, an Ocho Rios based company. The company’s founder, Danny Melville, got the idea for a dog sled team while shopping for dune buggies in Canada. Robb couldn’t be more thrilled. “I’ve always loved animals, and I love working with these dogs. They love what they do. Their saddest times are days when they can’t run.”

While already placing in the top tear of several dry land races, Robb is enjoying the snow. He will be competing in two races next week in Canada before heading down to the Three Bear Races the first week-end in February. Robb doesn’t mind the cold. “Sometimes I still get too warm!”

Jamaica does not have any actual races at this time so Robb goes on tour presenting the Jamaica Dog Sled team whose official sponsor is Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville.” His team coach is Ken Davis from Twig Minnesota, who will also be competing in the Three Bear Races.

Racing action will get underway on Saturday and Sunday, February 2nd and 3rd at the Land O’ Lakes Town Hall grounds. Competitions start with the Open Class at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the six dog, four dog, skijoring and junior competitions to follow. Winter games and the Children’s Mutt Race will he held in between races. Land O’ Lakes Chambers’ Winter Festival Craft Sale and Flea Market will run next store at the Elementary school from 10 am until 3:30 p.m. Saturday evening Musher’s Ball will be held at the Vintage Inn in the historic Gateway Lodge at 8:30 featuring Brett & Frist with Mama’s Little Hippies. Races resume Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Admission to all events is free. Hot food and soft drinks will be served throughout both days, including breakfast.

For more information about the Three Bear Sled Dog Races and Game, call committee chairman Peter Schindelholz, D.D.S. at (715)547-3541. Information on the Jamaica Sled Dog team can be found at jamaicadogsled.com.