SLED DOGS

In 1988 a group of enthusiastic volunteers assembled to work as the Ladies’ Technical Course Crew for Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. High winds and higher temperatures created huge challenges for the entire Organizing Committee and consequently crews worked around the clock to get races off. The Course Crew determined that they were being worked like “dogs”.

The analogy morphed into that of a Siberian Husky; a breed known for its loyalty, intelligence, speed, endurance and its preference for the outdoors - also its ability to work hard and haul a lot of stuff. The Sled Dogs were born and quickly defined themselves by their work ethic and their ability to enjoy the festivities and when necessary, create them.

The essence of a Sled Dog is captured in our brand. First and foremost he has a sparkle in his eye, a little bit of an attitude, confident, that “relish in the face of adversity” kind of a look. He is ready for the task at hand with his belt, drill and shovel at the ready as well a frosty beverage for the end of the day.

Today The Sled Dogs are recognized throughout ski racing circles as the volunteers corps of the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup who come together to ensure the Men’s and Ladies’ races go off without a hitch.

Being a Sled Dog is no ordinary volunteer job - work hard, play hard is the credo. The friendships, the laughs and the experience make it all worth while.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

CHEF DU JOUR - BOB

BOB FALLS
Crew Chief - Men's
Aka: B.O.B.
Hometown: Montreal, Que
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Kananaskis Alpine Racers; National Alpine Training Centre
Race Time Hangout: The Curtain
Favourite Place to Ski: Cruisers & Bumps, Panorama, BC
Lake Louise Memory: 11 Successful World Cups
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Friday, November 6, 2009

CHEF DU JOUR - DAVE

DAVE MAHLOW
Chief of Equipment - Men's
Aka: Mahlow
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Residence: Grande Prairie, AB
Ski Club: Nitehawk Alpine Ski Team
Race Time Hangout: All Over the Course
Favourite Place to Ski: Powder King, BC
Lake Louise Memory: “Live to Dye” or is it “Dye to Live” I don’t know I don’t do that job any more!!
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Thursday, November 5, 2009

CHEF DU JOUR - J LO

JIM LONG
Crew Chief – Men's
Aka: J-LO
Hometown: here - Calgary, AB
Residence: here - like above
Ski Club: Paskapoo
Race Time Hangout: Lone Pine with Helmut
Favourite Place to Ski: anywhere with snow
Lake Louise Memory: “What the fluck, over”
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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

CHEF DU JOUR - TARCHUK

RANDY TARCHUK
Crew Chief- Men’s
Aka: Papa, Tarchuk
Hometown: Banff, AB
Residence: Banff, AB
Ski Club: Banff Alpine Racers
Race Time Hangout: Floating around
Favourite Place to Ski: Panorama BC
Lake Louise Memory: Daybreak on Top of the World

ed: I don't remember that sign being anywhere near either race track at Whistler!
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

CHEF DU JOUR - MR. HITTEL

JIMMY HITTEL
Hill Coordinator – Men’s
Aka: Hitman
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Fortress Mountain, AB
Race Time Hangout: Gazebo
Favourite Place to Ski: Fernie
Lake Louise Memory: Being high speed “dragged” down Fallaway thru Gunbarrel by a giant inflated air-fence in the dark on a race day (along with five or six other unlucky fools) and not getting hurt
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Monday, November 2, 2009

MULCHING IN THE RAIN (AND SNOW)

Saturday Ocotber 24th was a very wet and cold day that found a group of 13 volunteers in the Calgary neighbourhood of Inglewood for our annual "Tree Party".

In true Sled Dog fashion the team cut, machete'd and mulched through the wind, the rain and the snow and gathered 18 BIG bags of mulch and 450+ boughs. Conditions were so bad that the chipper got to the point where it would not function properly because of all the moisture.

Other than the joy of each other's company, and the abililty to laugh off the weather, the highlight of the day came once everyone took cover to enjoy a well deserved lunch thanks to Spolumbo's.

KUDOS TO THE CREW


Ralf Walicki • Greg Randall • Kendra Fergusson • Rebecca McIntyre • Sharon Boitson • Alastair Ewen

Marty Sherriff • Judy Mair • Bob Falls • Bryan Tomlinson • Jimmy Hittel • Dan McIntyre • Mario Pehar

For more photos: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewthumb/7979174476-1256520764-20216/79791/page/1/15/

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SLED DOG T-SHIRTS

As announced last week The Sled Dogs have finally unveilled their first annual t-shirt. The piece is 100% pre-shrunk cotton, short sleeve, NAVY in colour and available in sizes Small to 2XL.

The cost is still to be determined as the final order is yet to be confirmed, however the shop estimate based on current requests is in the range of $20 per shirt. Get yours by emailing your particulars to thesleddogs@telus.net no later than THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6th.

The front of the shirt will feature the Sled Dog logo, centred at approximately 3" in size, with the caption: LET THE GAMES BEGIN and 2009 framing the Winterstart logo on the back.

Payment details to be announced once the order dealine has passed.

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SPONSOR THE DOG HOUSE


Following the lead of our friends from Whistler, The Sled Dogs have initiated the “Dog’s Best Friend” program in an effort to better support ourselves.

The goal is to improve the experience at The Dog House at Camp Canada by having non-sponsored items such as snacks and wine made available on a regular basis by raising funds from within our corps. The process is well underway locally and we are seeking your help.

Who: You
What: Sponsorship of The Dog House
Where: Lake Louise Inn - Camp Canada
When: 11 evenings available over the entire event
Why: Support of your fellow Sled Dogs
How: $100 per evening

In return for your support you will receive:

Visual recognition in The Dog House · A special thank you gift · Acknowledgement on The Sled Dog Blog
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Contributions can be arranged by contacting Craig or Mike via thesleddogs@telus.net
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CHEF DU JOUR - TOM

TOM HAVARD
Crew Chief - Ladies
Hometown: Smithers, BC
Residence: Smithers, BC
Ski Club: Smithers Ski Club
Race Time Hangout: anywhere but Air Fence (sorry Don)
Favourtie Place to Ski: Castle Mountain on a good day
Lake Louise Memory: 2008's Super G not being cancelled after all the work I thought was for naught.
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Sunday, November 1, 2009

CHEF DU JOUR - GORD

GORD MCDOUGALL
Crew Chief - Ladies
Aka: Gordo
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
Residence: Edmonton, AB
Ski CLub: Snow Vallley Racers
Race Time Hangout: Whereever I am told
Favourite Place to Ski: Red Mountain and H20
Lake Louise Memory: Just being part of it
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