News Release
Streeper Returns to Claim Rondy Crown: The “Canadian Express” Speeds Into Anchorage with Title in Mind
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Jan. 23, 2008 – Oh Canada! Ft. Nelson, British Columbia musher Blayne “Buddy” Streeper is heading back to Anchorage, Alaska to defend his title at the World Championship Sled Dog Races beginning Feb. 22, 2008, during Anchorage’s historic Fur Rendezvous festival.
“Since crossing the finish line in 2007, not a single day has passed without my thinking of this year’s races,” says Streeper. “I train and condition the dogs with the focus of returning and defending my title. This is the most anticipated race on my calendar.”
Streeper is a three-time Fur Rendezvous World Champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004, and taking the prize for the third time in 2007.
At this year’s race, drivers and their teams will, again, head out on the notoriously quick 25-mile course that loops through the city during three days of serious canine athlete action. The grueling route gives even the heartiest of mushers pause.
“The course is very technical,” says Streeper. “There are lots of obstacles including busy streets, sidewalks, public ski-trails, tunnels, culverts, overpasses and bridges – and that’s all in the first five miles! Having to keep all that navigation in mind, the training focus for my team is endurance at speed. All the dogs that compete in this tough race have been bred and selected for generations to develop that important combination. I’m running world-class athletes this year and we are ready to Rondy.”
The Fur Rendezvous World Champion Sled Dog Races offer spectator-friendly, high-speed dog powered sports excitement. The races are scheduled to run Feb. 22 – 24, 2008, in downtown Anchorage. For complete details, explore www.Anchorage.net/furrondy.
Anchorage, Alaska is a premiere winter destination, offering visitors a plethora of winter activities including snowshoeing, world-class skiing and snowboarding, ice climbing, glacier viewing, flight seeing and wildlife viewing. For a complete listing of winter activities or to order a free 2008 Official Anchorage Visitors Guide, explore www.Anchorage.net.
About Anchorage’s Fur Rendezvous
Feb. 22 – March 2, 2008
Affectionately known locally as “Rondy,” Fur Rendezvous is part of two outstanding weeks of festivals and winter sporting events known as the Quad ‘08. Rondy began as the brainchild of outgoing Anchorage citizen, Vern Johnson. In 1935, Johnson created a three-day sporting event timed to correspond with the return of local miners and trappers coming to Anchorage to sell their hard-won winter product.
Today, Fur Rendezvous continues to pay tribute to the early Alaskan way of life with an old-time melodrama, Alaska Native tribal gatherings, World Champion Sled Dog Races, craft markets, the Miners & Trappers Ball, outhouse (yes, outhouse) races, a fur auction and the brand new “Running of the Reindeer” event.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Anchorage Civic and Convention Center construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.Anchorage.net.
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Media Contacts:
Shelly Wozniak
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
swozinak@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax
Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
pr@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net
