Sled dog racing season officially began on the Kuskokwim this weekend. After two weeks of delays due to warm weatherand poor trails, temperatures plunged, ice hardened, a little snow fell, and on Saturday the Kuskokwim 300 Season Opener kicked off. Teams from Bethel and surrounding villages competed along the 35-mile trail. KYUK was there on the windy ice of Hangar Lake and brings us this audio postcard.
Sixteen teams finished the race. The Season Opener paid out $20,000 to the first 15 finishers.
1st Place: Maurice Andrews, Bethel, 2:33
2nd Place: Greg Larson, Napaskiak, 2:36
3rd Place: Mike Williams Jr., Akiak, 2:43
4th Place: Solomon Olick, Kwethluk, 2:54
5th Place: Joe Demantle, Tuluksak, 2:56
6th Place: Father Alexander Larson, Napaskiak, 2:57
7th Place: Jim George, Akiachak, 2:58
8th Place: Cori Simon, Napaskiak, 2:59
9th Place: Nicholas Ayapan, Kwethluk, 3:00
10th Place: Gilbert Phillip, Akiak, 3:01
11th Place: Jonathan Simon, Bethel, 3:02
12th Place: Lewis Pavila, Kwethluk, 3:06
13th Place: Jackie Larson, Napaskiak, 3:12
14th Place: Nate DeHaan, Bethel, 3:24
15th Place: Victoria Hardwick, Bethel, 3:27
16th Place: Cukayak Olick, Kwethluk, 3:34
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