Sousa forced to scratch Sheep Mountain 150

The Sheep Mountain 150 Sled Dog Race was held this past weekend. Jessica Hendricks of Two Rivers took first place while Talkeetna’s Gerry Sousa received an injury that forced him out of the race. Allen Moore of Two Rivers, Hans Gatt of Whitehorse and Jon Little of Kasilof all came in right behind Hendricks and within nine minutes of each other.

Gerry Sousa of Talkeetna scratched, along with Jayne Hempstead, Kathleen Fredrick and Mike Suprenant. Sousa said he got dragged by his team about 300 yards after they pulled the snow hook. Damage to his knee was great enough that he had to scratch. He said he is disappointed and thinks this year’s team is one of the strongest yet. He hopes to recover from his injury soon and plans on running the 2009 Iditarod.

Some of the top finishers of the Iditarod were also in the race, but finished further down. Jeff King came in fifth, Ken Anderson was 11th, Ally Zirkle was 12th and Dee Dee Jonrowe was 17th.

The race started Saturday with a 50 mile run to Eureka Lodge. Mushers had a 5 hour layover, then a 50 mile loop around the Lodge and then another 5 hour layover. Sunday mushers returned to Sheep Mountain Lodge.

Hendricks was Rookie of the Year in the 2003 Iditarod. She says she doesn’t have the money to compete in either the Quest or the Iditarod this year and will focus on mid distance races.