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Earl Norris Open Class Race Results
Willow, Alaska

January 26-27, 2002

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Results provided by Jean Kornmuller

Conditions:
The trail was fast, the day was cold (-15F was the official temperature), but fortunately the many volunteers along the trail were well located and provided good support for mushers when they needed it!

Day two: 0F with 5" new snow

A number of racers were trying open class for the first time ever, and many of the mushers had not raced yet this season; all adding for an unpredictable finish

The purse was $6200.00 Which is a sizable purse by any standard (I think this is the 4th biggest open class purse in the state this year!), but it is especially significant considering the size of the community to put on this event. There were close to 20 volunteers who helped each day to get teams to the start line, help teams stay on the trail, and of course the usual timekeepers, and Race Marshal

At Age 15 Max Kornmuller may very well be the youngest Alaskan to race in an open class race. In Alaska there is usually an age restriction for open class mushers to be over the age of 18. But Max, and John Shultheis (age 17) are both very experienced mushers and Race Marshal Larry Tallman and the race committee agreed to let them both race in this open class event.

On day 1 Michi got a serious frostbite on both cheeks of his face- he joked at the award ceremony that now that he has this check he can go to the hospital to get it treated. Also on day 1 two mushers lost their teams, but the trail crew helped reunite both mushers with their dogs. One of the mushers and one of her dogs got pretty banged up in the event and opted to scratch.