by Greg Lincoln
Raymond Alexie of Kwethluk mushed his Alexie Racing Kennel team to a first place finish at the Season Opener dog race held on New Year’s Day last week. His race time was 2 hours 18 minutes. The race is sponsored by the Kuskokwim 300 Race Committee.
Coming in second was Mike Williams Jr. of Akiak. He finished the race in 2 hours 20 mintues. In third place was Pete Kaiser of Bethel. His finishing time was 2 hours 31 mins. Jason Pavila of Kwethluk and Michael Larson of Napaskiak rounded out the top five.
A total of 20 teams took part in the 32-mile tundra race which began in Bethel at the Charles Family Lake. Mushers headed out on the Atmautluak Trail to the turnaround at the village of Atmautluak, and then back to the Charles Family Lake on the outskirts of Bethel.
The race began with a mass start at 11am sharp. The race had an 8-dog limit set for the teams and a $25K purse that was paid to the top 15 finishers. The weather was nice with clear skies.
This is the first race in the K300 Race Committee’s third annual Delta Championship Series. The top ten finishers will receive points according to their finishing place which will be tallied with the results of a total of 5 races over the course of the season.
Alexie has won the Delta Championship Series the first and second years, and now the third season is underway.
K300 Season Opener Race Results
January 1, 2025
Place/Musher/Time/Prize
1 Raymond Alexie, 2:18 $3,200
2 Michael Williams Jr., 2:20 $2,900
3 Pete Kaiser, 2:31 $2,600
4 Jason Pavila 2:37 $2,400
5 Michael Larson 2:39 $2,200
6 Schouviller Wassilie Jr. 2:40 $2,000
7 Maurice Andrews 2:44 $1,800
8 Byron Pasitnak Sr. 2:45 $1,600
9 Charlie Chingliak 2:45 $1,400
10 Spyridon Chaney 2:54 $1,200
11 Lewis Pavilla 3:00 $1000
12 Robert Charles Jr. 3:02 $800
13 Ataat Henry 3:05 $700
14 Tory Fitzpatrick 3:06 $650
15 Darren George 3:08 $550
16 Leighton Wassilie 3:15
17 Kenneth Snyder 3:15
18 Solomon Olick 3:16
19 Buster Hanson 3:21
Alexie Snyder withdrawn
