Race Marshal - Sharon Nelson-Curtice
Sharon Nelson-Curtice has been involved in the world of sled dogs for over 20 years. She has owned her own dogs for the past 17 years. Sharon has experienced great success running short-mid to mid-distances races in the Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota regions.
As a young girl, Sharon’s dream was to have her own sled dog kennel and she made her first steps towards that dream by getting involved with the first UP 200 race. To her delight, Sharon became involved with a sled dog kennel and began racing teams. Three years after starting her involvement with the UP 200 and pulling her husband Pete into the sport, she own her own kennel, her dream had come true.
Sharon went on to have a very competitive kennel taking her share of first place prizes competing in the Tahquamenon, Midnight Run, Apostle Islands and Pellston Icebox. She also placed 2nd in the Beargrease 150, 5th in the UP 200, along with many other top finishes in her carrier. Although Sharon is no longer racing competitively, she still keeps a handful of dogs that keep her life and her children busy. Sharon works as a physical therapist assistant in addition to home schooling her three children.
Sharon was invited by the CopperDog 150 in 2009 to be a Race Judge at their first race. She was invited back in 2010. Sharon serves double duty at the CopperDog 150, working as both race judge and teacher, sharing her knowledge, experience and insight with CopperDog 150 planners, officials, and volunteers. Sharon’s warm and friendly personality, keen insight, and calming disposition during hectic situations makes Sharon an ideal Race Judge for the CopperDog 150.
Sharon looks forward each year to judging at the CopperDog 150, spending time with good friends, and working for a great, fun race organization.
Chief Veterinarian - Jean Wilcox, DVM
Jean Wilcox is a ’94 graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a practice in Gwinn, MI.
She has been involved in the UP sled dog races as a vet since 1995 and is excited to be involved in the CopperDog 150 race again this year…she really likes the green parka!
She tries to follow Dr. Tom around to various races like the Tahquamenon, IronLine, Beargrease, UP200 and the CopperDog.
Her interests beyond vet work include her biking, beading, horses, bird hunting with her spectacular dogs and wilderness trips to canoe and camp with her husband, Burt and appropriate critters when allowed.
Chief Veterinarian - Tom Gustafson, DVM, CVSMT
Tom is a co-owner of the Thompson Veterinary Clinic in Manistique, MI since 1994. He grew up in Escanaba and graduated from the Escanaba Area High School. Tom received his DVM degree from Michigan State University during the latter part of the 20th century. In 2002, he completed training and received certification in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy from the Healing Oasis Wellness Center in Sturtevant, WI. and incorporates animal chiropractic into his mixed animal practice.Tom is also presently an instructor at the Healing Oasis Wellness Center.
Tom became interested in sled dog medicine and races in 1994. Since then he has been involved as a race veterinarian in various capacities. Races he has been involved with include the CopperDog 150, UP 200 and Midnight Run, Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race, Seney 300, John Beargrease, Great Trails Sled Dog Race, and GM Classic. Tom is also a member of the ISDVMA.
On the home front, Tom is kept busy with 4 kids and their activities, and numerous critters.His hobbies include cross country skiing, bicycling, and building stuff
Lyle Ross - Race Judge
Lyle has been in mushing in some sort of capacity for over 25years. From Running many races over the years to supporting races in an official capacity or just volunteering. Lyle has been a race Judge at ithe CopperDog150, UP200, Taquamanon. Lyle was the Race Marshal at the Iron Line for three years.
If there is any advice that Lyle would like to give mushers it would be that after you have decided to hang it up to volunteer at races to share your knowledge. He believes that with all of a mushers knowledge of running dogs and knowing what to expect could help a road crossing, the start of a race or even a finish. He’s like mushers to know that volunteering back to these races could make all the difference
Anyone who knows Lyle knows that he’s a kind and fair guy who likes to give you a hard time. He will listen, give you great advice and coach you to the finish.
Race Director - Kelly Probst (Board Member)
Assistant Race Director - Tony Sheapard (Board Chair)
Assistant Race Director and Chief Timer - H.A. "Kiko" de Melo e Silva (Board Member)
