McCall, ID (CBS2) — Caroline Nevills, a 17-year-old musher from Middleton, Idaho, claimed victory in the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge’s Warm Lake Stage Race held January 29-30.
Nevills, who was unable to finish last year’s race due to an accident that left her with two dislocated ribs, made a remarkable comeback to secure first place.
In a surprising turn of events, Nevills overcame a 10-minute lead held by Clayton Perry of Power, Montana, the previous year’s winner. She finished the 52-mile, two-day race just 2 minutes ahead of Perry. Trace King Drake from San Angelo, Texas, took third place for the second year in a row.
Nevills’ victory was particularly notable as she competed against her mother, Liz Nevills, who finished in ninth place. Liz Nevills had sent her daughter out with the strongest of their 28 sled dogs.
The final standings for the race were as follows:
1. Caroline Nevills (Middleton, ID) — 5:21:00 total time — 10.09 mph avg.
2. Clayton Perry (Power, MT) — 5:23:00 total time — 10.03 mph avg.
3. Trace King Drake (San Angelo, TX) — 5:49:00 total time — 9.28 mph avg.
4. Craig Anderson (Enterprise, OR) — 5:52:00 total time — 9.20 mph avg.
5. Jane Devlin (Bend, OR) — 6:12:00 total time — 8.71 mph avg.
6. Kelly Barton (Bend, OR) — 6:15:00 total time — 8.64 mph avg.
7. Redman Glissen (Power, MT) — 6:41:00 total time — 8.08 mph avg.
8. Melissa Turner (Herald, CA) — 6:54:00 total time — 7.83 mph avg.
9. Liz Nevills (Middleton, ID) — 7:48:00 total time — 6.92 mph avg.
Caroline Nevills chose to compete as an adult rather than as a junior, which would have allowed her an earlier start each day.
The ceremonial start of the event, in partnership with Brundage Mountain Resort, took place at the McCall Activity Barn. Official races are set to begin on February 3, with the 100-mile race starting at 11 a.m. and the 200-mile race at 3 p.m. Both races will commence at the Lake Cascade boat ramp.
Race organizers have advised spectators to use free shuttle services and to leave their pet dogs at home to avoid incidents like the one two years ago, where a spectator’s pet caused a sled dog team to tumble. Attendance at the event is free to the public.
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