1. 

Melissa Mendelson, Solon Springs, Wisconsin


Kennel Name: Flight Risk Mushing
Sponsors: #uglydogs
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Husky
Lead Dog(s): Legend, Compass, Bogey, Loaf
Number of Years Racing: 7

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

Melissa grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio where she was enamored with sled dogs from a young age, first learning about them from an artist she followed online. Through two trips to Alaska, she learned about the Alaskan Husky. In 2015, she met a local musher in Ohio and discovered dryland and urban mushing, and was instantly hooked. After a season bikejoring her friend's dogs, Melissa purchased her first Alaskan husky Ziggy and the rest is history.

​In 2021, Melissa moved to northern Wisconsin to pursue her mid distance goals.
 


Where have you raced?

Tahquamenon, Copperdog, Northern Pines, Beargrease


Have a training or race experience to share?

In early 2022, my dog Flounder got deathly injured on a training run. Too much excitement and his partner jumped him and shredded his rear leg. Thanks to some amazing vet care in Minneapolis and generous friends and the #uglydogs, Flounder kept his life and his leg. I never expected him to run again, but that fall, I threw him on the line to see what would happen. And he has still been on the race team since, like nothing ever happened. His long scar snaking down his leg is just a memory for him and doesn't hold him back.

2. 

Lynne Witte


Kennel Name: Iskristall Kennel
Sponsors: Red Leaf Design Canoe Gear and dogbooties.com
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Husky
Lead Dog(s): Keetna, Prentiss
Number of Years Racing: 11

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

Enjoyed outdoors cross country skiing then began skijoring in 2004. Started handling and running young dogs


Where have you raced?

Yukon Quest 300, Midnight Run, Beargrease, CopperDog, Tahquamenon


Have a training or race experience to share?

Best memory racing Yukon along the vast Yukon River

3. 

Dinah Patten


Kennel Name: Team Trail Mix
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Husky
Lead Dog(s): Normie, Thatcher, Alva
Number of Years Racing: 8

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I was introduced to dog mushing in 2013 with the Cascade sled dog club on Mount Hood in Oregon. Looking for something to do with my two herding dogs.


Where have you raced?

I've raced in West Yellowstone, Canada and Alaska


Have a training or race experience to share?

Training dogs in the early/green years with my best friend Geneva. We could probably write a short story about a tag sledding run and all the laughter and "oh s***" moments we had that day.

4. 

Jen Thompson


Kennel Name: Lost Mile Mushing
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan husky
Lead Dog(s): Swirl, Spark, Beluga and Otter
Number of Years Racing: 4

Where have you raced?

Beargrease 40, Copper Dog 30, various sprint races


Have a training or race experience to share?

We had a 'girls day' a few winters ago and several friends not actively involved in dog sports came over and we got to run small teams together on our home trails. Super fun and rewarding introducing others to the sport & the dogs.