As told to Joy Davis, Educational Journalist- IN by Zoya Denure
Zoya with Marlin and Kayak
Busy mom, wife, musher, business owner, and former runway model all describe Zoya Denure of Gakona, Alaska. Iditarod 2011 will be Zoya’s third running of this famous race. Medical complications necessitated her withdrawal from the race in 2010. I recently spoke with Zoya and this is what she had to say:
“This year’s training is going really well. I feel busier than in the past but that is to be expected when training for the Iditarod and raising a family. Things are always hectic, a bit crazy this time of year for me with training dogs, managing the training programs, organizing the Gin Gin 200 sled dog race and keeping up with the ever-changing needs of our very busy 2 year old daughter, Jona.
Zoya and Seb Dog
I’m training a nice group of 24 dogs for the Iditarod this year. Snow conditions are very
good in Paxson. My team consists of some rescue dogs, some offspring of rescue dogs, some of our own breed and some purchased. Harley, Seba, Storey, Bligh, Dude, Peak, Sadie, Bongo and Djembe are all very experienced racers and have been my core for the past 4 years. The young and upcoming dogs are Cinnabar, Diesel, Fender, Sparkplug, Bumper, Mudflap, Slick, and Lugnut. The new dogs this year to the team are Miller, Libby, Spicy, Moon, Elwood, Fatchance, and Mulder. A few more leaders in the pack and it seems like we have a good balance between brains and speed in the team. This is a very capable team. I’m looking forward to our season; this team is a blast to be with- we’re spending a lot of time on the trail this year breaking trails out and working a bit harder in the hills than we have in the past.
The team isn’t running up and down the Denali Highway this year; instead, they are getting a better education on more challenging trails that we put in. Some of these trails are my husband’s trap-line trails and others are old hunting trails used by hunters in the fall. The dogs have to think, work harder together, and they have learned to trust because often times I am off and walking in front of them to find the best trail option.
Last year I was eager to come back to the races after having had our daughter, Jona. I had a nice team, trained hard throughout the season and worked around the clock to prepare myself for a competitive racing season, but my body had other feelings on that. I had serious physical pain during the 2009 Gin Gin 200 and had to withdraw. That was the beginning of my setbacks last year.
After many tests and doctor visits due to the physical pain, it all came down to scar tissue that had built up after my c-section. It seems that the more active I was, the more pain I had surrounding that area. Learning how to manage the issues with heat therapy and acupuncture has made all the difference in the world. I know that this is not something that you would normally talk about with an Iditarod musher, but I think it’s important for people to know. After having to withdraw from the 2010 Iditarod I received more than 100 letters and emails. Many assumed that my dogs had been sick or injured. This was not the case as they were all healthy. I am now much healthier and ready to move forward and have a seriously great season on the race trail with my team. I’m so proud of these dogs and am looking forward to showing them off a little.
This fall I signed a sponsorship contract with Eukanuba. I feel so grateful to have this opportunity. I’ve been feeding my team Eukanuba for years. The company approached me before the 2010 Iditarod and after several meetings we decided on a sponsorship. My dogs were always pretty darn happy and good looking; now they are the happiest dogs on the trail!”
I asked Zoya about her future plans and she replied, “I’m racing to make a difference in the sport, improved dog care on the trail and in the yard, positive race training that works for every sled dog, young or old. I’d like to get more families and kids involved in our sled dog rescue efforts and interactive programs year-round. Celebrating women on the sled runners, healthy lifestyles, and strong minds—we are awesome, capable, and looking forward to setting some new records!”
Follow Zoya’s adventures at these websites:
www.dogsleddenali.com and www.denalihighwaytours.com
Watch for Zoya and her Crazy Dog Kennel in “Alaska Dogs” which will air January 6th on Animal Planet. Check your local listing for the time in your area.
Safe trails, Zoya.
