February 19TH, 2005

JACK PINE 30 FEATURES SAMOYED AND ALASKAN MALAMUTE TEAM

Prepared by Miriam Moeller

MARQUETTE – This year’s competitive Jack Pine 30, 6-dog race was not only special because of perfect trail conditions and temperatures, it also featured two pure bred dog teams, a Samoyed and Alaskan Malamute team.

    Farrell Katanik from Bryant, Michigan finished 14 th with his six Samoyeds.

    “Everybody finished strong,” Katanik said. “They did well for a pure breed.”

    Katanik’s Samoyeds stem from the oldest Siberian breed in existence. Originally these types of dogs were used for hunting by native tribes in Siberia. Katanik said, when hunting, the dogs would sit and wait for a seal to show up on the surface of the water. Therefore the dogs are very patient and listen well. Unlike the Alaskan huskies that are bred for racing, Samoyeds are harder to train.

    “It’s more of a challenge, it takes a lot more training,” Katanik said. “Sometimes it’s more challenging than I can handle.”

    For instance, today’s temperature, around 15 degrees Fahrenheit, feels warm to Samoyeds.

    “They usually run in temperatures 15 below,” Katanik said.

    Katanik has raced the Jack Pine 30 for the first time and says he loved the nice long flats and the overall great layout of the trail. His goal for the future is to race in the U.P. 200 and other, longer races.

Tom Knoll from Sanford, Michigan raced in the Jack Pine 30 for the second time, finishing 24 th with his Alaskan Malamute team.

Alaskan Malamutes were originally used by native Alaskan tribes as sledge or freighting horses, similar to draft horses.

    “They’re not made to compete,” Knoll said.

As a result, the dogs require much more care and training than other sled dogs.

    “Malamutes are much more headstrong,” Knoll said. “Their survival instinct holds them back to give it all.”

Knoll said he keeps pushing the dogs’ limits, working with them individually and as a team.

Unlike Katanik, Knoll focuses on shorter races, competing in 5-7 mile races every weekend. The Jack Pine 30 is Knoll’s longest race and he loves participating in it.

“I really like the way the folks put on this race,” Knoll said. “Being able to come up here and watch the U.P. 200 makes it all worth it.”

 

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