Andrea DeBoer has the smile of a champion! Andrea and her team of fast running sled dogs took first place in the CopperDog 80 sled dog race held in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
Andrea DeBoer has been mushing and racing sled dogs for eight years but has never won a race until recently.
Andrea and her team of eight Alaskan huskies finished first in the CopperDog 80 that was broken into two 40-mile stages through the Michigan Keweenaw Peninsula.
The first 40-mile leg took place Friday, February 28. Saturday was a rest day, and then on Sunday, the teams raced back to Calumet.
Andrea’s winning time was 7:12:24. She beat Lynne Witte by 3:45. Mary Manning, Hovland, placed fifth with a time of 7:38:49.
Frank Moe of Moetown Kennels placed seventh in the CopperDog 150. Frank Moe also received the sportsmanship award.
“After a very long season, it was pretty awesome to win the race,” said Andrea, who picked up $1,700 for taking first place.
Andrea, an accounting technician in the Cook County Public Health and Human Services department and her husband DJ, have 40 Alaskan huskies in their Amarok Kennel. The couple also have three children, Tanner (17), Taylor (15), and Talon (11).
“Taylor races dogs,” said Andréa. “This winter, she placed sixth in the six-dog race in Ely out of 30 teams.”
Andrea’s mom and step-dad are Robin and Greg Beall. Her stepdad started Amarok Kennel over 30 years ago in Shakopee, Minnesota. Her mother, Robin, raced sled dogs for 20 years. When Andrea and DJ decided to move to Grand Marais eight years ago to pursue their dream of starting a kennel, both her mom and step-dad helped the couple establish the start of the second generation of Amarok Kennel. And eight years later, it looks like a successful venture.
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