Call It Year Zero; Inaugural Superior Crown Ends in Tie

There was plenty of fun this weekend in Calumet, Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor. The last Upper Peninsula dog sled race finished up yesterday afternoon. And with the end of the Copper Dog race, comes the end of the first Superior Crown Sled Dog Series. The three headed competition, challenged dog sled teams to take part in each the Tahquamenon Country, UP200 and the Copper Dog races. Nine teams saw familiar faces on the trails all winter.

“I had a musher get a hold of me, and he said you can’t do it, dude. I’m like…watch this. (laughter). Because we feel justified, and we thought about it. Trust me, I’ve got a lot time and emotion into this. And I want to push it forward. We had 14 mushers sign up at the Tahquamenon Country. Nine of those mushers started the Copper Dog. Tied for First… Mike Bagsten, and Lynne Witte! (cheers)” – H.A. “Kiko” de Melo e Silva, Chief Timer, Superior Crown

Chief Timer Kiko de Melo e Silva, expressed pride in his team who worked tirelessly throughout each race to keep track of individual race times, calling them the best in the business. The superior Crown winners Mike Bagsten and Lynne Witte split the purse for the Superior Crown. Taquahmenon Country and UP200 pulled out their contributions to the Superior Crown purse due to canceling their race. de Melo e Silva said they wanted to continue on through the adversity, in hopes the Superior Crown can come back stronger and better next season. Keep an eye out throughout the coming months for more details for next year’s Superior Crown Sled Dog Series.

Find full race results from the Copper Dog this year, here.