Newsletter
The Future
We are more motivated now then ever. We refuse to walk away without completing our goals. Although we may have to modify the time frame, we still have a top 30 and a top 10 race to work towards. Our kennel is still young. Most of the dogs in the team this year were 2 and 3 year old dogs. We also have eight really nice one year old dogs who finished a 350 mile race this winter and twenty puppies to work with this spring.
My good friend Kris Hoffman is willing to help me train again next season and Tami is also excited about doing some racing. We can now add Greta and Leona to the Double T Kennel dog jockey roster. They both ran their first races in February. A first place for Greta and second place for Leona. I look forward to doing camping trips with the whole family. Having Kraig Kidwell be our dog handler during Iditarod made things so much easier. He is wonderful with the dogs and a true friend. He would love to run a 200 mile race and has already offered to handle for next years race. If I want to compete with the professionals of dog sledding I need help and the ability to train more dogs effectively. Dog care will always be first. However there is a lot to be said for numbers and we have the athletes, many of them young. Ideally Kris and I will each run a team in Iditarod 2011. Our competitive goal and race schedule would be based on the age and experience level of the dogs selected to race. In addition I feel it is imperative to go to Alaska in early January and run as many 200 and 300 mile races as possible. Lots of cold weather and difficult trail training. This was the plan this year but because of financial constraints it did not work out.
Tami and the girls are on board. There are no do-overs in the Iditarod. We must wait another year. This will also give me time to strengthen my skills as a musher and better prepare myself and the dogs for next year’s challenges.
What our plans are for next year are contingent on support from our current sponsors and reaching new ones. We are going to have to raise almost all of the money for Iditarod 2011. Last year we spent almost $50,000 and raised $16,800. That is a great start but there is a long way to go. By running in Alaska next winter and adding a second team in the Iditarod we could easily add another $25,000 in cost.
Between now and the middle of June I must acquire enough commitments to move forward. If we reach the sponsorship goal of $50,000 then I will go up to Alaska for 2011 Iditarod sign-up in late June. If we raise more than we can look at adding a second team. At this time if any of you feel you can help contribute or know someone who has the means we would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Again, currently we are not looking for any money, not until our plans are final. We are now looking for financial commitments. Feel free to either call or email if you think you can help. For all of you who cannot financially contribute there are other ways to help. I am going to need around 100 small burlap bags to send out my frozen whole meat and fat next year. Do you know the most affordable way to purchase them? Information is also very helpful. However it may be that you support us, we want to thank you all.
Tom, Tami, Greta, Leona and of course the dogs
