K-300 Drawing; Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race

It's the fifth annual Cusk Aquim 300 sled dog race. Tonight, the mushers draw for their starting positions in the biggest field of competitors ever. Join us and some of the world's greatest dog mushers as the excitement begins. Okay, good evening, good evening. Welcome to the fifth annual Cusk Aquim 300 race in here in 1984. The mushers drawing live coming to you courtesy of KY UK for all you people who can't be here. Sitting at home and sitting there in the comfort of your home.

While we're waiting to see what in what order our mushers this year leave the shoot. In the back and in the back here we have our three race officials Dick Mackey on the far right is the race marshal. Dr. Bob Sept is the race veteran area along with Dr. Edwin who is here not here tonight. Another race vet and Joe Shimagorea from Queethlook is the other race judge this year. I'd like to welcome you all to the drawing. Before we get into the physical drawing of numbers, we have a special treat for you. I'd like to present CC Asparza, board member of TWC, Thunder Women's Coalition here in Bethel. And who? Priscilla Charles. Priscilla Charles. Sorry, thank you. They're going to be doing a special drawing tonight for a very special prize that they're offering in a rafflin town, CC. Right. As one of the, we wanted to be involved in Queethlook and 300 and also wanted to earn some money for TWC. So we had kindly gotten some prizes donated a round trip ticket to any act for two people plus a nice lodging and dinner and breakfast at the any act lodge, which was all donated to us.

And we saw tickets and we want to draw for the winner right now. Tom, would you do the honors please? Oh, if you pick yourself, I don't think I'm wrong. Sorry about sticking. I had to buy a ticket yet. Right, you did. I was forced to. John Witherby. Okay. John Witherby is the winner of this round trip ticket for two and lodging at the any act lodge. Great, great. Congratulations, John. And of course, thank you for supporting TWC, your bound to have one of the best meals on the Cusco quim up there. Especially their cheeseburgers. I've had a few of them. Well, we get right into the drawing now. I'd like to bring Dick Mackie up the race marshal here and have him stand here with us. I'll call the names and he might even have any stories.

How does the, how does the race look this year? Dick. Well, I'm a little bit disappointed in the weather. I came down here expecting to see some of the worst weather that this race has a reputation for and is beautiful. Well, only within the last couple of weeks. It was beautiful. It was beautiful brown before, about the after the first of the year. They're up to the first of the year. Why don't we go ahead and start the drawing? And the first, the first person we'll call up has been here, I guess, a couple of times before in the race. He did pretty well at the 300. I'd like to call up Rick Swinson now. Come on up, Rick. Number 61. How about number 19? Number 19, right? One past the middle, I guess, huh?

Yeah. I think this is what? 39 teams. Is that official now? 39 teams. 39 teams. Number 19. Pretty good position for you, right? Do you like that position? Yeah. Why don't you take the mic and have a few words to say? Yeah, that's all right. Good enough. How do you expect? Well, how do you expect to do? You expect to win. I'm sure. How's your team looking this year? They're looking around just fine. They all got two eyes. No. No, they look pretty good. It's a lot of young dogs. I got half young dogs in the other half. The other half, a lot of them have been down here when I was down here the last time. So it's kind of mixed. Is this the team you're going to run there? This is the team. I'm running the Cusco 300. Oh, the Cusco one at a time, I see. Oh, well, thanks a lot, Rick. Number 16 for Rick. No, number 19. Number 19. Do we have the, oh, and of course, the dog tags. Good idea. I'd like to thank my sponsor.

Quality meet company from Fairbanks who's been sponsoring me for about six years now. And big Bob's food factory in Fairbanks. He's, I think he's sponsoring guy Blankenship too. So I'm the number two food factory team. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We will repeat that. Next, we'd like to call up local Musher, who's well known around town. For his mushy nobility's Dan Branch. Dan Branch, you're here. I hope. Good. You're all number there. Number four. Good. I don't even think so. Any response? You don't have anything to say. That's a good number. Sponsors you'd like to thank. Just all the friends who helped appreciate it. Thanks. You're welcome. Get your tags over here, Dan. Okay. Moving right along, our next musher is Susie Colton-Bocker. Come on up, Sue.

I'll mix it up a little bit. Sure. Up position. How about the first one out of the shoe? They call up the pole position. First one, first one, leaning the pack as they were. Good. Is this an element? I don't, we'll have to see. You'll have to tell us if it is or not, Susie. How many miles, how have you been trained this year? Uh, as often as possible. Yeah. Not often enough. Not very many miles on, but they'll do okay. Well, number one, breaking a lot of trail for them. Any sponsors you'd like to thank, Susie? Oh, I was saying Northwest title in G&M Enterprises and Kamikaze in the prizes. Very good. Good question. Susie Colton-Bocker. Drawing number one. The next person is from the Yukon, up around some town up there, St. Michael's or something like that. He's, again, another musher that's been around the 300 a couple times

and has not done too poorly. Did Jerry Austin show up tonight? Jerry Conup. Well known in Bethel here, you've been here quite a few times. What do you think of conditions this year? Or the best I've ever seen him? Oh, yeah? The best thing I've seen all year, for sure. So, compared to the Yukon, is that? Well, compared to St. Michael and the ocean and brown ground, and everything, it looks great. Looks great. Ground ground is right. Why don't you go ahead and draw your number, Jerry? We're not supposed to swap these now. No, no, it's one at a time, you want to. Just take one. Number 29. That's fairly good. Yeah, I'd like to thank Chevron USA and Barry Nair. And then I'd like to thank my wife Clara and Toby for running dodge with me, Bob and C.C. for staying here. And then I want to mention that Ernie's teasing me about gain and weight. So, I got that going against me. And I'd really like to thank the Cutsco Come 3 in our committee for giving us these hats to hide the fact that most of us are

going bald. I don't know if everyone agreed with you about that. Jerry Austin drawing number 29. Very good. We'll see what Ernie looks like when he gets up here. If he's been teasing about Jerry about gaining weight. The next mush here is, I guess we'll call the first team up, a local favorite here and defending champion of the Cutsco Come 300 last year's winner, Meyer and Anxeman. One of iron. Which is say, what do you think about conditions? I think Austin should speak. I think Austin should speak for himself when it comes to hair. Okay. Why? I'll leave my hat on. That was a bunch of go ahead and draw your number. And 36 number 36. That's right back there. Yeah.

Back in the pack. Nice smooth trail for you. Here you go. The sponsors you'd like to tell. My old friend, the dog farm, has been my sponsor for years, and they've never complained. They may not have much room to complain about. Well, good. Number 26 wasn't there. Good. We'll see you on the trail. Hope you do well, Meyer and Meyer and Anxeman. Thank you very much. And on that same list, Anxeman's old friendly dog farm number two, this year driven by Nathan Underwood. I understand Nathan. Came down from upper to drive the race this year. See what number he gets here. Number 24. Number 24. Where are you from, Nathan? Did you rush down? How was the river conditions when he came down? I see. Lots of gravel. OK. Number 24, Nathan Underwood. Very good. Congratulations.

Next on the list. Magnus and kennels. Driven by Bobby Mag coming up the aisle here. I don't know if there's enough room for him here. I'm going to impose in character. See what number he wants. Flying. Push it. Dog down. I need to do that. 16. Number 16y drill. What do you think of that position? Flying with me. That OK with you. Good. Where are you from? Where are you from, Bobby? From a grass. And I would just like to thank my sponsors and my wife and children. And, uh, baby Anderson, forgive me some dogs. And we're going to do my ski for giving me some dogs and help me handling. Bobby Magneson. Very good. You pick up your tags over there. Position. Number 16, Bobby Magneson. Leaving in very good. Next on the list. Clifton Cadzo. Is he here? Yes.

Here he comes. How are you doing? How are you doing? Cliff, where are you from? Where are you from? You can't have our conditions up there for your training. It's good. Conditions. Change from down here. What position? Number 32, Cliff draws. Fairly well back in the pack. The sponsors you'd like to thank, Cliff. I'd like to thank Mike Hartman for sponsoring me. People of Chalquets, by helping me out. Thanks a lot. If your tags are over there for your dogs. Very good. Clifton Cadzo. Very good. Number 32. Pretty quick here. Next, Toby Allen Chevron team. Who's driving to Toby Allen? Hi, what's your name? Toby Allen. It's a good name for Toby Allen Chevron team. It goes with the number eight. Position number eight. Very good. Well, I'd like to thank Jerry for having the dogs. And Chevron for getting me here.

And we're going to give it a good shot. That's all. Oh, good. Very good. Toby Allen, drawing number eight. Okay. William Dracing kennel is next. We're going to do this. I think well, pretty good. I guess I'm good training on your team before the race. We've been laid off by the weather. And we had a January late training. But they're tough. They're going to be tough to beat. You know, they usually are a pretty tough team. Walter runs go ahead and draw for your number here and see where you're starting this year's race. 28. Number 28. You're pretty happy with that position. Oh, well, I wish I was, you know,

further ahead of this number, I'd say. I have a problem passing everybody around here. Yeah. Yeah. Well, other than that, it's pretty good with our well-trained team. Very good. And I'd like to thank my sponsors. Swanson Store, City of Back yet, mom and dad, brothers and sisters, and so gun and youngest karate school. And the dogs from two dogs from Carly Cameron, two dogs from John Riley, two dogs from longest racing kennel, and one dog from most camera. And I'd like to, William's racing kennel, would like to dedicate this race to Willie Long. Well, thank you very much. Nice to see you. Willie Long, that reference Willie Long is, you know,

an accident, had an accident on the trail, and passed away in that accident. His number is going to be carried around this year. By Walter Williams, we'll be carrying in. We'll have a drawing for Willie Long's position coming up pretty soon. Next on the list, it's Long's racing kennels. And I understand his Willie Long's son, Bill, is going to draw the number for him. Thank you very much. How are you doing, Bill? How are you? Good. I'd like to dedicate this to the Kuskoo 300 Club, you know, remembrance of my dad. Thank you very much. A beautiful friend of Willie on the trail there. Bill, why don't you go ahead and draw for the number. Number two. Number two, all right.

Very good. Thank you very much, Bill. And the committee would like to thank you for the picture. Thank you very much. Again, this number will be carried around by Walter Williams. We're going to be carrying around the name and Willie's number there. Moving on. Any act dog for him? Anybody here from any act? Represented this year by who? Can act. Oh, Steve Chamberlain. Steve Chamberlain? Come on over here. Steve? Come on over here. Number 23. Did you fly down? Mushdown or what? Yes. I flew down with Harold's air from Anniac. Any other sponsors? Yeah. Anniac. We need employees. My wife and family. Connecting. Tim Anderson and Lamond Elberton.

It will help me out. Thank you very much. Good luck. Good luck. As you can see, most of the mushrooms have a lot of support for getting their teams here to the race. It takes a lot of people to run a race. Next, we have Victor Katongen from Unal Fleet. Victor here. Here he comes up the aisle. Victor got in Sunday night. See what position? Number 10. Very good one to turn around here. Any sponsors you'd like to thank? Yeah, I'd like to thank Ryan, Air, Claire, and Stuart. Got your Johnson and Larry Wilson and family. Okay. Don't forget your tags over here, Victor. And good luck to you. Victor Katongen, drawing number 10 position. Next, we have Robbie Roberts from Up River. I understand he made it down.

Come on over here. Hold it a little higher for him. Number 22. Number 22 for Robbie Roberts. Very good. I've lost my list last year. I can remember everybody that helped me out. It looks like you've got it with you this time. I've got part of it because I lost it again. This is all I can remember. But anyway, Brainerd Billards here in Bethel has put, paid my entry fee and he told me if I didn't come down, he was going to come up and get me. So I had to come. And then CJ Electronics has keep me in dog food and sleds in the last few years. It's gotten a general store. It's gotten a school kids and teachers put on a spaghetti feed and sold cookies and stuff. They get me airplane money. And then I got a one dog from Martin Wartman, two dogs from Frank Torres, and one dog from George Whiteing. And then people in my graph into cotton. And if anybody else got a rope down there, if I forgot anybody's because I lost my list. I understand you much down river from Ernie. Oh, I see.

I see. Well, thanks very and good luck, Robbie. Drawing the Robert Roberts, drawing number 22. Next, we have Paul Taylor. Starting out here. Paul, I understand, is from the Fairbanks area. Number 11 for Paul Taylor. Paul House conditions up in Howard Training conditions up around Fairbanks area. It's a little slow to start, but they're pretty good. You've got quite a few miles on your team. Probably not enough. But how many miles do you have? How do I have a curiosity? I'll focus on 500 miles. Which is about what I'll do on this race, given I don't have a lead dog. Well, good luck on the trail out there. Thank you, Paul. Paul Taylor, number 11, out of the shoot. Next, we have Andrew in Andrew. Let's see what position he draws.

Number 20, Andrew. Andrew, where are you from? I'm from Quizlook, and I want to thank the following quick look. Power plant and quick look sports store. They're subsidiary of Quizlook Inc. And Betty, Margaret, and Harry, Andrew. And to Robert Nick, who paid my entry fee, and gave me some hamburger meat. And the fifth one is an old man event. Oh, fuck. He gave me some fists just before Fries-up. And I still never run out yet. And another one is an old man. I happen. And last but not least, my parents, Nicholas, and Katherine Andrew. Thank you very much, Andrew. Good luck on the trail there. Number 20, Andrew, and Andrew out of the shoot. Next, we have... Next, we have someone who's been around...

Again, another person who's been around Bethel for a long time. And a lot of people know her. A lot of people have heard her and heard of her on the trail and off. Bev Hoffman, come on up here. The race committee member and one of the organizers of race. Number 37. Number 37. I meant to go at the end of the line. Last year I had 42. How many mushrooms are there? 39? Last year there was 44. I have a list of sponsors. I'd like to thank my mother. My brothers and sisters kept track of my son while John and I were training. All the friends who paid my entry fee on my birthday, my uncle, Dutto, gave me a lot of white fish, and he used to run the mail run years ago.

AIA, Richard Trotto, who was one of my people who helped train. Kaiser bought me some more mittens when I lost $100 bet to him, felt sorry for me. But most of all, I'd like to thank John Mcdonald and my son Colin who helped me through all my anxiety attacks and will help me through the next couple days. What about your boss? I'd like to thank my boss Pat Parker. I thought you might want to get in. Before you go, why don't you get your tags over here? A lot of people rooting for Bev on the trails, and a lot of people, besides the people you're hearing about, whoops. I won't have to wait too long in Laura Kalskeg, right? Not very long. Besides, you can see that all the people it takes to support a mushroom to run the race. And that also applies to the race as a whole. Behind the backdrop, people you can't see are the many,

virtually hundreds of people that help put this race on. All volunteers and the race started that way, and it stayed that way. Still a volunteer effort. And of course, we appreciate all the names, all the people, the mushrooms that took to it right away, and made this race quite a success. When we get on with the drawing, next we have half-fast racing finals, and I think Alan Matthews is here to draw for that kennel. Who's driving your team this year? Me. Oh, yeah. Oh, you finally got together, huh? No, Alan, as you know, it was rookie of the year two years ago, wasn't it? Yeah, I think I'll live with it the rest of my life. Oh, yeah. Back again, couldn't stay away from the race. Number nine, he draws. Yep, yep, that's a nine.

That's the way it goes. Any sponsors you'd like to thank? I'd like to thank Steve Bush for giving me some good dogs and Myla for all the help. I understand when the race finishes, not too long after you're getting married. The secret's out. The pressure plays. Is that one of the prizes? Alan Matthews drawing position number nine out of the chute. Man. Very good. Next on the list is spannalaska team. Ray Gothier. Ray, come on up here. Are you doing, Ray? Are you doing, Ray? Yeah. For position. Number 35 right? No, no, no. No, no, no, once there's enough right up there with Bev. I'm running not too far behind the rib. Bev. Ray, what's sponsoring you this year? Spannalaska.

Spannalaska. Carries the whole load. Yeah. I'd like to thank my wife who's helped me out tremendously, making booties the last minute, and unhooking and hooking dogs up for me and feeding them sometimes. And my next door neighbor, Gregory L. Who's helped me out tremendously? Good luck on the trail, Ray. Number 35 out. And there's your dog tags over there. Joe Chemugeria, the race judge. One of the race judges is here to help me that now. Next. Who do we have? The dog patch team. Driven this year by Buck Bakowski. Did you dry it? Did you mush up from Cheevak this year? No, never again. What were going back? A little mush back. Oh, yeah. It's going to be a new compass. Yeah. Yeah. I'd like to thank my handler, Mike Sylvester. He not only takes care of my dogs here in town.

He's made me breakfast every morning. My wife and kids were putting up with me. I haven't made for lending me dogs and for feeding them when I'm gone. Wayne Hillstore and Cheevak for giving me a deal on batteries and stove oil and other stuff. Sierra Motiv gave us a pretty substantial break on charter fare from Cheevak. My host, Teran Bethel, is the barn. And it's Susan Martin and Alan Ox here and Mary Lou Patterson. Bruce Steadman and Cheevak helped me build a sled in his shop. My mother gave me 650 bucks to fly the dogs in. She doesn't know we're mushing back. And I didn't get too many miles on my dogs this year. But I've been real busy.

This is the first 300 that my wife hasn't been pregnant. So I've been fairly busy. That's encouraging. Go ahead and draw your position there, Buck. What have you got? Number 12, he's leaving. Buck McCasky, leaving 12 out of the chute. I got kind of pressured into getting into this race. And the only reason I got into it is because my training program and Ray Gothier, my partner training program, we have disagreements. And I want to try to stay ahead on the whole race. And I leave the chute ahead of him anyway. Good luck on it. Good luck Buck. There's your dog tags over there. Buck McCasky, leaving number 12. The next person on the list, the woman that we didn't know, weren't quite sure was going to come or not. For several days, there were wild rumors flying all over town

about whether or not she was going to show up. We were hoping she would. And it turns out she did. Susan Butcher is here. Susan. Would you draw your number? Lucky number. Lucky number 34. Oh, good. A good pack of you back there. Yeah. Well, I'd like to thank my sponsor, Ray Walker, who's a realtor in Anchorage. And I'm staying with Fran Rich and Nancy Crane here in Bethel. And I'd like to thank Dave Munson for helping me train. Well, I guess I got one dog in the teamy train. Pretty good. Thank you. Susan, you came in second in the race two years ago. Wasn't it? No, first year in the race. That first year shows what my memories like. It goes first, I expect.

You just finished a 200 mile race, though. That's right. How did what position did you put it in there? Second. What was the name of that race? Kobuk 200. It's up in Cotsaboom. What did you run that as part of the I did a rod requirement? You have to have a right. Well, thanks a lot, Susan. And your dog tags are over there. Susan butcher drawing number 34. Big hand for Susan there. OK, next we have E. Banderson. Gentlemen, well known to run the race a couple of times before. Come on up, E. Number 39. In good company back there, E. I'd like to thank my sponsor Jim Pearson. Well, it's there for bringing my sled down. My family for taking care of things while I'm gone. Pay short family for putting me up here in Bethel. Doug and Gail for dogs, three dogs.

A lot of people supporting new group. Anything else? OK, a lot of people wishing you luck there. Very good. E. Banderson drawing number 35, I believe. And E. Banderson from the graph. Guy Blankenship from Fairbanks is up next. An 18-year-old running the race. Good looking 18-year-old. Remarkily while preserved for 18. That's true. That's true. Yeah, not too bad. Judge of age. Did you rush down? Sure. We heard you were on the trail from Fairbanks down here. No, it was pretty slow. Crippled most of dogs. I asked for a waiver so I could start with six, but they wouldn't let me do it. Yeah, well, there were rules, of course, that you have to start with seven. Well, I guess we were able to squeeze you in the race somehow. I'm not sure I understand you borrowed eight or ten dogs from the dog pound. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, cocky spaniel.

They're not bad. They're not bad. We're related to setters. There's other setters that are running right here. That's true. That's true. Give me a number. Draw a number there for them to give you a tip on the strategy on this race. Oh, yeah. Got a good strategy. A good position for strategy. Number 38. Strategy when you draw number 38, my six-year-old son has filled me in. And I shouldn't give this out to Susan and Eap and the other people back there, but I will. He told me that the day on the phone, he said, if you're behind, he said, you go to bed early and you get up early. And if you're still behind, you go to bed earlier and get up earlier. And then he said, dad, if you're still behind on the last day, don't go to bed. That's all there is. Well, thanks for the notes. That sounds like a number. Yeah, you bed. Would you like to keep your drawing number here, guy? Guy Blankenshift from Fairbank's drawing position, 38. Would you like to do some number next? OK, I'm doing such a good job. Gee, who is. Next.

Gary McElley. I said it right, I think. Not too bad. I think you have a corridor after you're on your foot around here. Someone's trying to cripple you before you can even start the race. Where are you from? Um, Wisconsin, originally, but I've lived in Bethel, about seven years. Yeah, and you're a rookie this year, right? Yeah, I've never been in a race before. Oh, there's 300. There's definitely a good one to try your skills at. This is kind of a, what would you call it? You've got to see. You've got to see, gutsy is right, 300 miles of guts. Go ahead and draw your number there. See what position you leave. Six. Number six, right up in the front of the pack, very good. I train on the trail. So my dog's another way out of town. Oh, yeah. He trained in a pack of seven people and you're a number six all the time leaders. I'm coming back to any sponsors or people you'd like to think. Um, Sonny's contractors and I'd like to thank Tim and Lisa Carpenter for my lead dog. It's a best dog I got.

Oh, good. It sounds like a lot of people rooting for you to do a good luck on the trail. They're Gary Maccoey. Come here, we have left. Getting close to the end. Next is Libby Rittles, woman who has run the race one time before. Has it been on the trail here? Are you going to Libby? Hi, fun. You ready for the race? Yes, I've been ready for it for ages. It seems like. Have you, have you been out on the trail yet? Oh, yeah, quite a few times. What does it, what does it look like this year to you? Well, it's real fast if you can hang on for the first couple of miles you know, right? I know. I went out on a snow machine on it today and it was just all I could do to hang on to a snow machine. Libby, go ahead and draw your position there. Okay. I'll see what place you leave. Okay, I'll see what place you're here. Well, not bad. Number seven towards the front of the pack. You're pretty happy with that position. Yeah, I was hoping for my lucky number 13, but this is even better. That's not too bad. Who's sponsoring you this year? I'm sponsored by Arco Laska this year.

And there's also several people I'd like to thank. If I can remember them all. I'd like to thank Joe Gurney and Teller for loaning me several of the famous Quizitrine Altrotters for my team. And I'd like to thank Charlie Johnson and gnome, Ray Lang and gnome, Jack and Nancy, student gnome, Doug Dorlin and Kathy Connolly here in Bethel for let me stay with them. And Dave and Jolene and Teller and I think that's all. Well, good. Well, good luck on the trail. Olivia Riddle's drawing number seven. Tags are over there for your dogs. Number seven, Olivia Riddle is out of the shoot. Next we have Simon Union. Local Delta Musher here. Simon, how are you doing tonight? Where are you from? How's training conditions been out there? It sounds like the story of the Delta here is slow training.

Why don't you go ahead and draw your position there. What do you have? Number 17. Not a bad kind of in the middle of the pack there. I'm pretty happy with that position. Yeah, fine. Who's sponsoring you this year? I'd like to thank Chief at Company Corporation and especially to my wife, who's been helping me a lot before the race. I'd like to thank Sue Martin for letting my dog stay over her place. That's about it. Okay, well, congratulations. Number 17, you'll be leaving there's dog tags. That's Simon Union. Number 17 out of the shoot this year and this year is race. Next. Next is a gentleman that's been involved with the race a couple times and more ways than one, I guess. He's run at once or twice and last year he was our race marshal.

Ernie Baumgartner, come on up here. How did conditions look this year compared to last year? Oh, I think they were good last year and they're good this year. A little less overflow. It looks like this year. I don't think there's too much overflow out there. That's a good trail. The trail looks about the same as good a trail as we've had. You know, it's one thing I've been wondering here or maybe you can fill me in. I've been introduced to four race marshals and you've had four races. Can anybody explain that? We go through them fast at the 300. It might have something to do with the kind of talent we attract. I think that after the race he'll know. I've got some people I want to thank if I get my list open. First of all, I want to thank the Cusco 300 committee and the people of Bethel because without this race and others like it, I wouldn't have my dogs. I love them and I appreciate being able to get out and do it and this gives me the reason for it.

Also, I've got two sponsors. The main one is checkered cab here at Bethel. I was tickled to death to get a local sponsor. They're just super. They've been a real help. The other one is Ryan Air and if what happens to me this time, it happens to me again, at least I got to ride home. Then I've borrowed some dogs from Gordon Costanza, a schoolteacher in my graph. I did a rod with a team and a young fellow from Anchorage, Brent Coastal. I'd like to thank Marcus Sally Caldwell. They're putting us up and gave me their car to run around in today. Yesterday, a boy this morning, I needed it bad. I couldn't find my dog food that had been shipped in. It was lost. After running around, they finally found it. Thank goodness. Last, I'd like to thank Jim Barker. He's always last year with a tremendous help to me. This year, he has, again, helped me.

I came in in the middle of the night with a dog team after driving down from a graph. You hit this town and there's just lights all over the place. Yes, and he got me safe and sound over to the FA compound. That's another thing I want to thank the people of the compound. They've been extremely helpful. They've tied up their loose dogs. It's a big help. I want to thank all these people. Thank you very much, Ernie. Right. See what position Ernie leaves here. You can't just pick you. No. No. 18. Ernie Baumgartner draws 18 coming out of the shoe. Good luck on the trail. Thank you. Next, another local mushroom sponsored by the United Lumber Company here in Bethel. Steve Gabor, are you here? Did he show up? Steve is here.

Let's see what you get. Steve's wife is Patty. He's one of the organizers of the race on the committee. Number three. The high ones were gone. No, you can see we saved one for you. We didn't want to get that bathe lonely back there. Give her a friend to run with. I've had lots of help both monetarily and with people giving me a hand this year. My wife Patty has helped out tremendously. My sister-in-law Connie has helped out a lot. She's not only helping with the training of the team, but also helping out with pups. D. Bailey Calvin of Calco has helped me out financially. The United Lumber, of course, and we're driving the United Lumber team this year, has helped me out. Tundra Press has helped me out with fundraising. And Northwest Title Insurance Company has helped out with a brand new sled. So I thank all those people. Congratulations. What number was that? Number 30. Steve Gabor. Number 30 in the this year's KafkaCrim 300. Good luck, Steve. Next, we have several local mushrooms in a row.

Ron Kaiser, someone recognized and sprinting circles if nothing else around the delta. How are you doing, Ron? How's the training meant for you this year? Not as much fun as it can be, but I heard rumors you shipped your team up river for training. No, we drove him around a little bit. Once you go ahead and pick a number on, see what position you draw you're leaving. What position we can get rid of you? Number 26. Not a bad position. What do you think of that? Oh, that's okay. I'm just getting going. Yeah. I'm just sponsoring you. I'd like to thank a few people. First of all, my wife, Janet, who wasn't for her. I'd just about have to give it up because I couldn't afford it. And Bill Eisenbart is, we trained together and half this team's his and he's a big help to me. We're hoping we got a pretty good squad.

Let me leave this open or I'll forget what I'm doing. Mary Whitaker is also a big help. This year we're sponsored by Cole Foam, Jimmy and Henry down there and give us a thousand bucks to race with. Dick Kloot and his son Steve who make harnesses sled bags, airplane wing covers, all of that kind of stuff have helped us. He also, through Swanson's, has helped a lot of mushrooms in town getting meat for a real reasonable price. And I have some people that helped me train this year, Bob Nelson, who's a natural addict. And Bill's brother Tom Eisenbart from Oregon came up this fall and summer helped us. And Chrissy Schantz gave me some beautiful clothing to wear this year, some mucklucks and a cusp buck. And their whole family, the Schantz family helps me all year. Feeding my dogs, do this and that. And some other people who helped me during the year, John White, Jeff Sanders, Took LaRou, Andrew Andrew, Linda Warner and Kent Pollucci for fish heads and stuff like that. Quite a team you got behind you, Ron.

Good luck on the trail. We're all wishing you luck up there. Ron Kaiser, leaving number 26 on this year's race. Dean Painter is next. And Dean is from where? Granny. Power conditions up there. Good. Yeah. What did you get? Number 13. Not a bad position. You like that? Good. You have anybody, who's your sponsor this year? Well, it's their service. Well, it's their service. Okay, anybody else you'd like to think? Oh, Alvin Jr. for letting me one dog. Go. Go. Dean Painter, number 13. Pick up your dog tags over there. Real good. Next. Next, we would normally have Nick Camoroff, but he's not here. Now, Richard Goldstein is next.

Richard Goldstein, one of the local names in machine, has been activated or active in the race for a few years. Yeah. Okay. Go ahead. Talk a lot. You can talk a lot. You're going to try to take it out of the way for me. Just one number, didn't it? You're doing it in there. Oh, lucky number. Number two. Number two. I like it. Wait a minute. Sorry. Hang on. Number five. Five still good. Five still good. That's okay with you. It is. I got to thank some people first. I brought my list this time. Oh, good. Okay. Five or six pages. Five or six pages. I didn't solicit sponsorship, but a lot of people from the community, several, any health, came out of the blue and offered to help me out. Alan Oakeser doubled his sponsorship from last year. And I'm appreciative. When I was looking for $300, I was wondering whether I could afford to get into the race at all.

The staff of the Tundra drums chipped in and paid for most of my entry fee. And I'm grateful to them. That was organized by my buddy, Ric Trotto. I mean, you'll get most of the be a publicity hound on the trails. It's going to give you most of the attention. Sure. I hope so. Yeah. The wilderness experience, a firm working out of LA, has helped me out with big discounts on the camping gear. And I was able to get their top of the line sleeping bag for next to no money. And hopefully I won't freeze as I did almost the past two years. Johnny Bingley is offered to scoop me around by playing if I want to go to any races later on in the season. And I'm grateful to Johnny. Casey's carpet, the hat, note the hat, please. Casey came out of nowhere and just wanted to know whether I need a sponsorship. And of course, what Musher doesn't really laid it on. He did. I'm going to say how much Casey gave me 300 bucks at a

nowhere. And I was floored by his generosity. Thanks an awful lot. Casey. And finally, at home, Penny Panliner, without whose help I wouldn't be here. She makes the booty. She keeps me in good food and lots of love. And I'm deeply appreciative of that. And do you want to know, Tom? I'm going to die it. Or are you going to feed your dogs on the trail? I got every secret diet. The secret is the same as everybody else's liver, chicken, Iams, and everything else in between. And I got number five. Number five is what Richie Goldstein. Thank you, Richie. And good luck. Richie Goldstein, leaving number five this year's race. Next we have Blaze Tinker. Where's Blaze? Where's your hometown? Originally from Hooper Bay, but I moved to scam and about six. I lived there for six years now.

How long have you been? How long is this isn't your first race? I raced at St. Mary's last year, but just 30 miles a day. How long have you been? How long have you been running dogs since five years now? My daughter starred him off, so I've ended up here now. She's been helping you train. Good. Why don't we get you to draw your position here and see where you start out? What do we have? Number 33. Who's sponsoring you this year, please? My sponsors are Hooper Bay, Wayne of Charter Service. And David Trampdom and his family are sponsoring me here at Bethel. And I want to thank my family and my daughter for helping me. And some other people at Scammer that helped me provide me for dark food. Like Pink Meat and all that stuff for the race.

David Garlic and his family and Joseph Garlic and I killed us. Most of all, I want to thank Trampdom, so help me since I've been here. That they've been helping me with a couple of days now. Thursday, now they built fire and helped me make my dog food. Well, good. Thank you very much. Blaze, Tinker, leaving number 33. Your dog tags are over there. And good luck on the trail. Pretty good position there. Blaze, Tinker. Next, we have R&R Fish Company team. Ron Southern, are you here? Come on up, Ron. Ron, where's your hometown? Number 31. Who's sponsoring you this year, Ron? My wife, I don't tell her. Every day she's watching, we can't do much about it.

I'd like to thank Caskillian, Senior Center for their support. My daughter, R&R, and my trainer, William E. Zach. Well, good luck on the trail. Ron Southern, picking number 31. Let's give him a big hand. Next, we have another Caskillim 300 veteran. That has been here before. Some of you may recognize the name Charlie Fittka in the audience. They're calling up Charlie. Dick, what can you tell us about Charlie Fittka? We're on the air, always. Oh, you're right. That's a good position. Charlie Fittka, draw his number 25. Not a bad position, will you think of that? Well, be all right, as long as I come in first. I didn't matter where you start. Who's sponsoring you this year, Charlie? I got you. Massing.

David Anwell, Richard Westall, Mary Samelson. My wife, she takes care of the dogs when I'm gone. She feeds them all summer when I'm fishing. So, in John Riley, Willie Pitt Junior, I got borrowed three dogs from him. My son Steve, I don't know if he's around. He's been helping me train. And Jerry Dementive. I've been a lot of guys giving me dog poots, which I come and pouring in with the right. I'm going to thank everybody for that. Well, it's good to see you back here again, Charlie. Glad you're running the race again. Charlie Fittka, drawing number 25 for the spot. Next, we have Chris Alexey. Chris, come on up here. Chris, where are you from? Queenslook. The last checkpoint on the trail on the way back. A lot of people are going to be there waiting for you. Oh, will it's going to be waiting? Yeah, I'm sure they will. Chris, why don't you draw your number and see what position you leave in?

Yeah, I don't want them to wait too long. Chris Alexey, drawing number 14 spot. Very good. Who's sponsoring you this year? Copic family, sponsoring the dogs. Copic cows. So, Pat and Gly, we chipped in for the end of free. And I thought it most also my handler is back there. Hope I make it this time. I mean, make it faster this time. Okay, well, we hope you do too. Good luck out there, Chris. There's your pick up your dog tags over there. And that's Chris Alexey, leaving number 14 spot. Next, we have Blanco Wosley. Go on up, Blanco.

Acoustic equipment 300, veteran. How are you tonight? Okay. Where are you from? Blanco. I'm a small elite college party's quick. Never did it any harm. And then sponsor me here again. Has training conditions been pretty good down there for you this year? It'd be bad training back home. Sure. I thought that was only in Bethel, though. We had bad training conditions. My bad comment was raining. Don't let's not say that too loud. Blanco, let's see what position you start from here. Hard to get those last few out. Number 27, Blanco Wosley, drawing number 27 position. Who's sponsoring you this year, Blanco? And then in market, I'm doing half. Okay. Well, if we go good luck on the race this year, Blanco. Blanco Wosley, number 27 out of the shoot. Next, we have Ryan Kennels.

And I believe a local resident, Ron Parker, who's also involved with Parks Recreation here in Bethel is driving the team this year. How are you tonight? Pretty good. Hopefully give us a weight handicap and his race. Yeah. How's your training been this year? It's been pretty slow running on concrete. Then I used to snow. I hope it rains tomorrow. Yeah. Well, get back to good bear, Tundra here. Ron, draw a number and see what position you start from. Number three. Number three, lucky number three. All right. Was that where you wanted to start, right? A lot of people are going to pass me real quick. Because you time to lay back and kind of plan your strategy. I'd like to thank my wife and kids for giving me a lot of support. And Ryan's Kennels out of Kip Knuck, who was Tim Sampson, who ran it last year, had some bad luck. And so I'm kind of racing for him too. He helped sponsor me financially and with a lot of needlefish. And I'd like to thank Mike Wong's magic.

Mike Wong has helped me out financially and also my loyal electric. And all my friends that helped me out all year since I've been in motion. So you've got magic on your size. Well, congratulations. And good luck on the trail, Ron. Number three, Ron Parker. Next, we have Joe DiMantle Senior. Joe, come on up. One of the past race marshals for the Kuskakwim 300. Nice to see you back this year. Joe, as running the race this year, it's a little different to run it and then be an official, huh? Yeah. Take a ride, definitely. An easy ride. There's a couple in there. There's a couple in there. Number 15, Joe DiMantle Senior. Joe, pick up your your tags. OK, and the last person on our list,

the last drawing position, Nick Camoroff. Nick, are you here yet? Very good. Nick, what's your hometown? You've got good train out there. It's pretty good. Half an on from trail. Good trail later on. Looks like conditions have improved a little bit. Nick, go ahead and draw. Wish we had more. The last one. See what it is. You can't have the basket. Number 21. Nick, Camoroff draws. Nick, who's your sponsor this year? My folks and my sister will help train. My folks for financing the supporting. John Binkley of Northwest Navigation. Who's my last but not least sponsor? Oh, good. We hope you do real well on the trail. Nick, congratulations.

Nick Camoroff drawing position. Number 21. Thank you very much. You dog tags are over there. That about does it for the for the fifth annual Cuskakwim 300 race drawing. I'd like to thank you all out there in TV land for watching. I'd like to thank our officials, of course, for being here, helping make the show successful. And, of course, last but not least, I'd like to thank the mushers for showing up again this year. Of course, without whom we wouldn't have a race, as they say. And I'd like to, a special thanks to all the volunteers on the Cuskakwim 300 this year that have so far made this, made this a real well plan. It's been a surprisingly, a little more easy to get together this year and that I guess that brings its own worries. We're all kind of worrying isn't there more to do, but it looks like it's going to be a good race. I'd like to invite you all down to the start line. Wednesday, Wednesday, January 19th, at 12 noon at the bowling alley here in Bethel. Invites you down to see some real,

exciting, high-class dog racing. Come on down. Join us at the race. Wednesday, January 18th at 12 noon. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, KYuk and everyone else. Good night. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Thank you.