Monday's Musher

The first time I saw a picture of Sebastian Schnuelle, I thought, "This guy looks like a musher!"

He looks like a guy who doesn't mind hard work, being without creature comforts, and a true dog man!

Sounds like a winning combination for sled dog racing.

It must be working for him as he finished the 2008 Iditarod in 10th place, only 11 hours short of champion Lance Mackey's time of 9 days and 11 hours.

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Sebastian Schnuelle, born the 05/21/1970 in Wuppertal/Germany, grew up in Friedeberg in East Friesland/Germany, studies environment-technology after an industrial -mechanic education at Mercedes Benz. Aged 25 years, he leaves his German home and works in a national park in Ontario/Canada. In 1997 he moves to the Yukon Territory, a year after a canoe-tour of several weeks on the Mackenzie River from Tuktoyaktuk to the Bering Sea. (Blue Kennels)


He makes friends with a stray sled dog and gives him the name "Blue". Blue Kennels is named after this first dog and Sebastian, or Sab, starts mushing and participates in different races. In 1999 he fails as Rookie at his first attempt in the 1.000-Miles-Yukon-Quest and improves his skill from year to year. In 2005 he places the 9th, in 2006 the 6th and in 2007 the 7th. During these 3 years he also participates in the 1,000-Mile-Iditarod: Sab finishes 38th in 2005, 35th in 2006 , 22nd in 2007, 10th in 2008. He regularly participates in other races: Copper Basin, Knik, Kusko, Kobuk and Sheep Mountain.(Blue Kennels)

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Sab's most impressive accomplishments came during the 2007 Yukon Quest when he received 2 of the highest honors.

From Mushing Magazine:

Musher Sebastian Schnuelle took home two of the 2007 Yukon Quest top honors at the Finishing Banquet on Saturday.Head Veterinarian Vern Starks announced Sebastian Schnuelle as the winner of the 2007 Veterinarian's Choice Award.

Dr. Starks commented that many of the mushers on the trail this year could have won the award, but that Sebastian went the extra mile to ensure his dogs thrived in the frigid temperatures on the trail. 'Sebastian was the musher that spent the least time inside the actual checkpoint because he was out with his dogs, massaging them and giving them extra care in the cold weather,' announced Starks. 'He maintained their weight in the cold temperatures and finished with a great looking dog team.'

Sebastian was awarded an etched burl bowl depicting a musher and his dog and a gift certificate for $1,000 in veterinary care from a veterinarian of his choosing generously sponsored by Uncommon Journeys and Alpine Veterinary Medical Centre Ltd. both of Whitehorse, Yukon.

Fellow mushers voted to award Sebastian the 2007 Sportsmanship Award for his selfless behavior helping fellow mushers up Eagle Summit. Sebastian aided 3 other mushers up the final steep pitch of the summit after getting his dogs safely to the top. 'I shouldn't be the only one receiving this award,' said Schnuelle. 'There were 3 other mushers up there and I don't know if any of us would have made it up there if not for the others.'

But the other mushers tell a different story. 'Sebastian was an animal,' said Rookie of the Year Aaron Burmeister. 'He just kept going up that steep pitch and coming back down for more.'

Sebastian was reportedly sweat-drenched after the endeavor and was forced to stop at Mile 101 Dog Drop to dry out his clothing while the other mushers continued on to Chena Hot Springs. Sebastian humbly joked with reporters at the finish line, 'I was just soaking. It must have been all of those cheeseburgers I ate this summer.'

Sebastian received a pair of Beaver Mitts donated by the Alaska Trappers Association. The Sportsmanship Award was voted on by fellow mushers at the Post Race Mushers Meeting on Saturday and presented by Alaska Trappers Association President, Randy Zarnke.

I believe Sab has what it takes to be a champion.
Could 2009 be his year?

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Just a reminder, The Westminster Kennel Club 133rd Annual Dog Show begins today.

Monday, February 9: Hound, Terrier, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups8-9 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network9-11 p.m. (ET) live on CNBC.

Tuesday, February 10: Sporting, Working and Toy Groups, Best In Show8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network.