Blayne Streeper could have turned the final heat of the Fur Rendezvous Open World Championship into a victory parade, an easy Sunday ride through the streets and trails of Anchorage.
The Fort Nelson, British Columbia, musher started the day with a 2 1/2-minute lead over Egil Ellis, and absent a wreck of some kind, the overall victory was his.
Instead, Streeper turned the final heat into a coronation, racing around the 25-mile course in less than 90 minutes to win Sunday's race and successfully defend his Rondy crown -- and then hinted he might enter the $100,000, winner-take-all All Alaska Sweepstakes next month.
"I've got 14 dogs, and there's only a 12-dog limit," Streeper said. "They've won every race they've been in. For 100 grand, we might run that one and put some pressure on them guys over in Nome."
The Sweepstakes is a 408-mile race from Nome to Candle, first run in 1908. It is being revived this year after a 25-year absence with what is being billed as the largest winner's purse in mushing history.
But that's in the future. At the finish line Sunday, one of sprint mushing's past giants -- honorary race marshal and 10-time Fur Rondy winner George Attla -- congratulated the sport's present king.
"It's really hard to stay on top, there are so many people trying to knock you off," Attla said. "It is very hard, especially if he comes back next year."
Streeper and his 14 dogs were the only team to break 90 minutes Sunday, posting a time 88:32, his fastest heat in the three-day race. Overall, Streeper clocked 4 hours, 32 minutes.
"The team really started strong, and it's a good feeling when they start strong on the third day," the 26-year-old three-time Rondy winner said. "I was gaining all the way, and at the end they had lots of power left."
Streeper crossed the downtown finish line just seconds behind Ellis, who held onto second place with an overall time of 4:36:12.
"Congratulations to the Streeper Express ... I guess," Ellis said with a wry smile.
Bill Kornmuller, who along with Ellis calls Willow home, finished fourth Sunday and third overall (4:44:53). Ross Saunderson (4:47:54) of Fort St. John, British Columbia, took fourth and Tanana's John Erhart (5:01:24) finished fifth.
Seventeen of the 19 mushers to start Friday's heat completed Sunday's race. Israel Silas was disqualified after Day 1 and Jason Dunlap scratched prior to Sunday's start.
Streeper earned the lion's share of the $50,000 purse for his overall win and for winning each heat -- he had the fastest times Friday and Saturday as well.
"It's the second time I've done that (won all three days), but that's what a strong dog team does," Streeper said. "They go out and perform day in and day out. It's no fluke performance. It shows what our conditioning program and training is. It was a great job today by my team."
Sunday marked the conclusion of a rejuvenated Rondy. Crowds were larger, the purse was bigger and the quality of racing better than in years past.
"This is the premier event," Streeper said. "This is the one we train and breed and raise for. To come here and perform, it's what we do and what we do best, and we've been able to do it the last three times we've come here.
"Fur Rendezvous is definitely gaining momentum. (Rondy executive director) Susan Duck and her committee, they've got this thing going in the right direction, and I'm going to do everything in my power to continue that."
For Attla, 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of his first Rondy championship when he defeated Gareth Wright by almost five minutes. It was the first professional race for the 24-year-old who would come to be known as the Huslia Hustler.
"When I came here, I really didn't know (what to expect)," Attla said. "I was going to try and win. At that time, all the villages pooled their dogs. For me to go up against that, I wasn't sure. I knew I had good dogs. I was fortunate enough to come out on top."
Shown a reprint of the Feb. 1958 edition of the Daily News heralding his victory, Attla paused as he reflected.
"This is something else," he said. "A lot of time has gone by.
"I tell you what, I've had a good time this week. It's been a good experience for me."
Find Andrew Hinkelman online at adn.com/contact/ahinkelman or call 257-4335.
LEADING TITLISTS
10 -- George Attla (1958, 1962, 1968, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982)
8 -- Dr. Roland Lombard (1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974)
4 -- Charlie Champaine (1984, 1988, 1990, 1991)
4 -- Egil Ellis (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005)
3 -- Raymond Paul (1951, 1954, 1955)
3 -- Ross Saunderson (1994, 1995, 1998)
3 -- Blayne Streeper (2004, 2007, 2008)
3 -- Gareth Wright (1950, 1952, 1957)
3 -- Roxy Wright (1989, 1992, 1993)
By ANDREW HINKELMAN
ahinkelman@adn.com