One Week Left Notes from the Race Marshall New snow creates such a feeling of optimism and excitement! Bill Waddell, Al Palma, and John Rasmusson can be found on our trails at all times of day and night. Recently, several limited teams set foot on the trails from the traditional holding area - a first in several seasons.
Bill or John will update the website’s trail report to provide information for open teams.
 The schedule for this week is as follows:
     Sunday, February 17 Meet the Mushers Ulu Factory 2 – 5 P.M.
    Wednesday, February 20 OWC Draw La Cabana 6:00 P.M.
    Thursday, February 21 Driver’s Meeting ASDRA Clubhouse 10:30 A.M. Mandatory for driver, designated handler 12:00 Noon         Trail Tour Tozier Track Afternoon Setting of fences, Rondy trail other trail work
    Thursday 7:00 P.M. Trail volunteer meeting ASDRA Clubhouse
    Friday, February 22 Day 1 OWC Race 4th and D 10:30 A.M. Report to Avenue for marking of dogs 11:15 Driver’s Meeting             4th and E 12:00 Start of Race
    Saturday, February 23 Day 2 OWC Race 4th and D 10:30 A.M. Report to Avenue for marking of dogs 11:15 Driver’s Meeting         4th and E 12:00 Start of Race
    Sunday, February 23 Day 3 OWC Race 4th and D 11:00 A.M. Report to Avenue 11:15 Driver’s Meeting 4th and E 12:00 Start         of  Race End of Race Awards 4th and D 6: 00 P.M.
        OWC Banquet Egan Center 7:00 dinner 8:00 awards
Please build time into your week’s schedule for a couple of commitments that would make a positive difference in the quality of the race:
    1) Thursday afternoon assistance for the trail crew. Bill will have several areas that may need handwork over and above the setting of fences. Please volunteer,
    2) Radio interviews with Cary Carrigan. We will have 3 days of radio coverage of the race. Saturday and Sunday will be live coverage for the whole race. Friday will be updates every 15 minutes (this may change as the radio station shuffles some prior programming). Cary intends to obtain recorded interviews from you to use as part of the radio coverage. He also hopes to slide some of you into radio stations during the days before the race. Please contact him at cary@alaska.net . His cell phone is 301-6551 but I find he is much quicker to respond to e-mail. Safe travels getting here. See you in a few days! Janet

ORIGINAL Letter dated 2-1-2008
From the Race Marshall:

Hello to Anchorage Fur Rendezvous World Championship competitors!

In past years, I have stood with many of you on the Avenue as a fellow competitor.  
This year, I have the privilege of serving as Race Marshall of this historic
race.  I look forward to working with each of you in our joint effort to complete 
the 62nd running of the Fur Rendezvous Open World Championship Sled Dog Race! 

The race crew and I are dedicated to ensuring that each of you have the 
opportunity to run your personal best race.  We understand our responsibility for
creating a race route that is truly a world championship trail and for providing race 
support which promotes safe and competitive conditions.  In return, we expect you will 
bring race ready dogs who are conditioned and healthy, suitable equipment in
good repair, and yourself as a driver, prepared for one of the longest, most intense races 
you will face. 
  
This year, Bill Waddell will serve as Trail Boss. Bill has a daunting, if not impossible, 
task in front of him.  At this time, we do not have a runnable trail.  This situation is d
due to a combination of three factors:  1. trail construction related to the
municipal road project which extended into January, 2. minimal snow resulting in no base,
and  3. a recent chinook weather pattern with extensive wind, rain and melting.  
We will give updates on conditions so that you can know by 10 days before the race if we 
have a reasonable expectation of a trail.  

Several race procedures seem necessary to mention before the driver’s meeting.  First, 
for the 2008 race, we will hold reverse start for both Saturday and Sunday.  
Second, the race rules are very specific about the requirement for a carried dog to be
completely contained in the sled bag.  As you are making equipment decisions, please 
select a sled bag which will effectively contain any dog(s) you carry. 
A dog that is not contained in the sled bag will result in disqualification of the driver.  
Third and finally, ASDRA has asked dog drivers to refrain from using a signal whip during 
the Rendezvous.  This race is uniquely public and the club is very aware of the
impact of the demeanor and actions of world champion competitors on public perception of our 
sport.  

Let It Snow!

Janet Clarke