We find ourselves in a very interesting position this mushing season. As many of the faithful SPK fans from years past know, we have dedicated incredible time, effort and resources into producing one of the very best, well respected sled dog kennels in the world.
Over the past 10 years, Aliy and Allen have built up SP Kennel to where it is today – always looking at the future as well as racing in the present. This can be seen in SP Kennel’s strategy of racing: “Give every dog a chance to race as much as possible in order to train for the future.” Traditionally, we decide what races are on the calendar for the season and then determine how many teams to enter in each. Often we raced two or three teams per event. We would choose a “winning team”, then choose a “junior varsity” team and, if possible, choose a “novice” third team. This strategy set us up to where we are today. And as we gaze out at the Alaskan Huskys at SP Kennel, we see that we have reached the future.
The dogs that we are training this 2018-2019 Mushing Season are experienced veterans and many of them are champions. 90% of these SPK dogs are Yukon Quest and/or Iditarod Veterans as well as experienced on numerous 200 and 300 mile races. Only four dogs currently in training have not competed on a 1,000 mile race team. However, three out of four of these dogs have raced in 200 and 300 mile races. This is an incredible percentage of experienced, knowledgeable, dedicated sled dogs. In years past, we have never seen such percentages. (These calculations do not consider the three yearlings who were puppies and not old enough to compete last season.)
The final 2018 -2019 Dog Roster on this website will be finalized on October 17th when the new Dog Portraits are posted. We will have a detailed Retirement Post soon after, so you will know where all the retirees now reside.
This season, the SPK strategy of racing is changing. This 2018-2019 Mushing Season we are refining and focusing. What does that mean?
All of this means that we will be focusing on just “the winning team”. We will have one team in the Copper Basin 300, one team in the Yukon Quest, one team in the YQ300 and one team in Iditarod. These four teams in four races will get all the SP Kennel focus and energy. It is an exciting change for us. We have been close many times before to “winning it all”! This season, with the incredible dog talent and focused musher dedication, we believe we have that chance in 2019!
So glad to read that you will be racing hard again this season!!!
I have a feeling that this policy will permit the best serious kind of training for all racing dogs – so that your deep bench will assure having the most ready to rumble group – when you need them!!!
2 middle distance (300 mi) races and 2 long-distance ( @1000 mi) seems to be a way to save on wear and tear for the two-legged crowd, too!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF
Is the team red? Is it black? Is it both?!?
Talent and focus. Yeehaw! So excited to see how this will play out. Looking forward to yet another awesome race season.
Start warming up the refresh fingers!
Exciting to here of your refreshing approach. As always your hard work is seen by your fans with
these fantastic dogs and talent. Anxiously awaiting the 2018-2019 Season! Go SPK!
We are so excited for SPK…..it will be this season where the “pool” of A Team prospects is large…..whoever is healthy and willing is a possibilty…in other words the SPK bench is deep…and that is AWESOME!!! SPK does it right, for the dogs as well as the Mushers….and we all look forward to the 2018/2019 season….whatever it may bring! GO SPK!
Let the cheering begin. Looking forward to the season. All the best from The Straw Ladies!
This change in strategy sounds like a good way to take advantage of all of the dogs’ experience. Best wishes this season in your focused efforts.
sounds like plan. the future is here. go for it!
I can’t wait to see the future racing team! I know they will be Champions! Go SPKennel!