A Interview from Paul Cech
Sebastian Schnuelle won the Yukon Quest in 2009 and starts at the “Iditarod”.
Sebastian “Sab” Schnuelle is the first German who won this year the toughest sled dog race in the world, the “Yukon Quest.”
So far, he came 4 times under Top-10 – this year he won with a new record time: His Alaskan Huskies run the 1.600 km in 9 days, 23 hours and 20 minutes.
Originally the 39-year-old German, who lives since 1997 in the Yukon / Canada, planned the race as a “camping trip” – as a training for the “Iditarod” about 1.800 km which start on 7 March. In fact, he started slowly and accompanied his student Mark Sleightholmes who stood the first time on the runner only a few months ago and finished the race in 11th position.
After halfway through the race at Eagle Summit, he helped another musher, who had problems with his dogs and “lost” a lot of time. Help and the health of the dogs are obvious for Sebastian Schnuelle.
Sab didn’t celebrate his victory yet: It’s just the halfway point: Next weekend he will start the next race.
Sab is still considering, if once again he will hold some presentations in Austria and Germany. In both countries, he has a large fan community, and many friends.
INTERVIEW SCHNUELLE SEBASTIAN – YUKON QUEST WINNER 2009
? You started the 2009 Yukon Quest totally relaxed and said before the race, this will be a camping trip – a training for the Iditarod. Was that tactic?
Schnuelle: A little bit for sure. I knew that I had a good team. But it’s also right that I only wanted to race when I was 100% sure that Mark Sleightholmes (a “student” of Sebastian, NB) will not quit the race. To emphasize the Campingtrip instead of the fact that I had a good team, was certainly not a disadvantage. So I was never observed closely.
? Before we come to Mark Sleightholmes: You were relatively early front away. Once, you were at the top, then back to the 5th place. At the checkpoints, you often drove through and then you appeared again in the front. What was your tactic?
Schnuelle: In Braeburn (1. checkpoint after the start in Whitehorse after 160 km, NB) I noticed that Mark had the right feeling and the race didn’t intimidates him. On the way to Carmacks (2nd checkpoint, about 255 km from the start, Note), I had given him the election to camp with me. It was agreed that if he camps before that would be the sign for me that I can race. Mark camped before and so: I drive the race AND go camping.
? From when you knew that you can be with the frontrunners?
Schnuelle: Actually from Carmacks. The team ran well and smoothly. However, there was a setback on the way to Pelly (3rd checkpoint, about 300 km from the start, NB), we had an accident on an icy passage. The dogs came off the trail, it was a giant tangle and some dogs were pulled into the trees. I also wanted to go through Pelly, but I had to check the whole team.
? And when did you believe that you can win?
Schnuelle: As the race progressed, the more I saw my chances go. William Kleedehn, Hugh Neff and Jon Little drove very aggressively. My schedule was tight, but didn’t include so long runs. I still kept to the schedule, always the Iditarod in mind.
Only when I was 8 hours behind the trio at Eagle Summit (mountain after halfway through the race, NB) I suddenly was aware of my chance. While the other 3 spent a uncomfortable night on the mountain, I arrived with a team of highly motivated and very rested at the top. From this minute on I changed the plan (there was another stop planned on the way from Mile 101 to Twin Bears).
? In 2007 you got in addition to the “Vet’s Choice Award” also the “Sportsmanship Award” because you helped 4 other teams at the steepest part of the Eagle Summit. This time you where with the frontrunners but you turned around as William Kleedehn had problems with his dogs. You’ve helped again, although this could have cost you the victory. How was that?
Schnuelle: When I started to help William, I didn’t know that the other two where also at the top of the mountain – they were out of sight. Only when I came with William over the last hill, I saw the two. After that I have to admit my help was very calculated. I helped William another half hour before I started the chase without him. I think he understood. After all, we were in a race. But it was a strange feeling to leave William short before the Summit.
? Eventually once – so we heard it from the Yukon – have you thought this year anytime to scratch. Why?
Schnuelle: No, never. The race was the whole time one of the nicest 1000 miles that I had ever done. The conditions were ideal. As I was camping with Brent Sass on Day 8 on the Yukon, we both said: Really a shame that in 2 days the race is over.
? Jon Little, the 3rd this year, who drove a “wild” race at the beginning, said in an interview: We could learn a lot from Sab. He have never seen a person who has such a great relationship with dogs and drives them so gently. What is your secret, to handle the dogs like this?
Schnuelle: It’s not so gently. I always call it a “tough love”. The dogs respect me. I am a hard but fair man. You know, if I ask for power, that I also expect it. There is no gray, only black and white. The other way around, at the right time, I’m as wll pampering my like pets. It only needs a very concerted balance. I let guide me by my feelings.
? As you’ve noticed that you can win the race – what was going on in your head?
Schnuelle: Any fatigue and exhaustion was blown away. There was only one goal. I MUST catch up with the 3. At Eagle Summit it was clear that William would not be able to keep up with me. When I passed Jon Little uphill on Rosebud Summit, it was clear to me that even he could not keep up. Hugh Neff surprised me with hiss high speed . He had a damn good 9-dog team.
? Have you then changed the strategy?
Schnuelle: Yes, I canceled the planned stop at the foot of Rosebud Summit. That meant it was about 16 hours non-stop driving. Actually I only wanted to make these runs in the Iditarod.
? How is the feeling when you are sitting in Two Rivers in an 8-hour break, you know that you can win – and you can not go … wait until these 8 hours are over? How cool are you in this situation?
Schnuelle: Sure, you want ot go like crazy. There is also the environment playing a role. Suddenly I was surrounded by reporters, microphones in the face. There is so much energy in the air. But the Quest organisation have well-regulated. Where we look after our dogs, the media people didn’t have access and we could take care of the dogs.
I was able to sleep well anyway, after 16 hours on the sled and on Day 9 of the race it’s not difficult. The fatigue is greater than the adrenaline.
? For those who are somewhat familiar with the scene and saw the video, “it was pure goose bumps” when you hit the finish line. What’s the feeling on the last 200-400 meters, if the finish chute is lined with fans, all applauding, calling, cheering?
Schnuelle: I drove the entire last 45 miles very calculated, and started 35 minutes before Hugh Neff in Bear Twin. I drove strictly8.2 miles per hour in accordance with the GPS. The dogs wanted to run faster, but I had the foot on the brake pad. I wanted to be sure that no dog gets hurt, because I need all 10 for the Iditarod team. In between, I’ve always just tried briefly, if I really have a 2nd gear.
Short calling the team – and they are without any problems at 11 miles an hour. Quick back on the brake. When I would have seen Hugh only once on the river (before the Chena River Fairbanks, the finish. NB), I would have changed in that gear. Fortunately, the dogs didn’t need to accelerate. Amazingly, he never came within sight.
The last 5 miles, I have enjoyed very much and considered what I would do first and what I would say in the interviews, so I wouldn’t arrive totalynot quite arrive totally unprepared.
? At the finish you first gave same snacks to the dogs … I had the impression you didn’t have realized everything.
Schnuelle: The dogs are always the most important. For me it was no doubt about what I do first. Namely, what I always do first: the care of dogs. Everything else can wait … .. and have even done patiently. Again, I must say that the Quest organization was well under control and me and Hugh Neff had enough time with our teams before the media came to the series. Compliment to the organization.
? When did you really realize that you are the Yukon Quest winner? Still in the race or not until long after the finish?
Schnuelle: In the last 5 miles. “It’s Cool!” always came back in my mind. Normally patience is not exactly my strong point, and I was very happy that my strategy to digress not, or only at the end from my plan was paying off.
? How did you celebrate?
Schnuelle: I’m not the party-typ and I gone out of the way of all the partys. Not only that I’m dead tired – for me here is only the mid-term break.
Next week starts the Iditarod. Here I also want a drive a 1000-mile camping trip. So I think it’s better to have my 7 senses together – the party can wait.
? How are the dogs?
Schnuelle: They’re fit as if nothing had happened. That was the best thing for me at the races and has been noticed by other mushers like Aliy Zirkle . “Sebastian your team looks fantastic!” To hear that from the first woman who won the Quest goes under the skin. Since the race, we drove the dogs daily. They don’t get a break until the Iditarod. Short runs, but keep them moving is essential.
? On 7 March when you run Iditarod. How many dogs from the Yukon Quest Team will you take?
Schnuelle: All 10 finishers will be there. Mark finished with 11 dogs from my kennel. From these I’ll choose 6 more dogs. My entire Iditarod team will be composed of Quest finishers. I’m very proud of Mark. He drove a really good races and did follow my instrudtions 100%. He stood in November for the first time on a sled and then finished in February the Quest in 11th position, this will be hard to imitate.
? The Quest was initially “just” a camping trip in preparation for the Iditarod. Last year you were 10th at Iditarod. How do you see your chances this year – after the “training run”?
Schnuelle: You can never tell. Jeff King, Lance Mackey, and many other mushers were at the finish of the Yukon Quest. They wasn’t there to just say hello.
Not only I will have a good team. But I will again go strictly according the plan. If the plan works, we’ll see along the coast, after Unalakleet. I hope I have again the same discipline as in the Quest.
? But now once again back to Mark Sleightholmes: You have trained him – he only runs for half a year and was 11th at the Quest. Some say you have rejoiced for his 11th place as much as on your victory. How can you “build” up such a successful musher in such a short time?
Schnuelle: That’s true, I can not even grasp that he was 11th. The Mark Sleightholmes is a natural talent. More than anything, he had a sense that has saved him again and again. Above all, he had the ability to listen and implement the lessons learned. He has blind trusts in me and never questioned my instructions. The cooperation has greatly simplified and I knew I can rely on him. In addition, he was ready to go through my hard school, think only on dogs every day from 16 to 18 hours, be 100% dedicated. Since 5 October until today, well deserved after the race, it’s the first day he don’t feed his dogs by his own.
? Now many are asking: Can I also learn mushing with Sab. Can they do this? What looks a training like and what does it costs? Where can you get informations?
Schnuelle: The easiest way is to email me. The first step to go is a qualifying race. Such as the “Copper Basin 300″. It costs about $ 10,000 and you have to bring 6 weeks time. Then we both know whether it makes sense to continue for the Yukon Quest or Iditarod. For some the qualification races are a eye-opener and the interest in the Quest or Iditarod dwindle away in the light of the many work and the hardness of the preparation. The costs are also not to despise a Quest will cost approximately $ 45,000.
? Will you once again make some presentations in Germany or Austria? If yes, approximately when?
Schnuelle: That wasn’t planned, but first of all I have to finish the Iditarod, then get some sleep and then I’ll make new plans.
Thank you for the interview and “Good Mush” for the Iditarod
Interview conducted by Paul Cech / Dog Company
Read original interview in german
