August 20, 2011 (New Zealand) – The weather was outstanding as Brian McKeever won the 42k Merino Muster skate mass start race in New Zealand, with Erik Carleton finishing two seconds back in second place. New Zealander Andrew Pohl – a frequent competitor in Canada – was 3rd, just under 40 seconds back. Russian sprint star, Alexey Petukhov, (14th at the 2011 Nordic Worlds) was 4th. Justyna Kowalcyzk (POL) won the women’s race.

Brian’s Twitter comments:
Amazing day for a race….
Hard fought win for me today edging out a strong Erik C. Big ups to Andrew Pohl for 3rd ahead of Russian sprint ace Petukov.

Definitions
Muster – an organized gathering of sheep in the high country and especially the autumn; bringing the sheep to the valley floor away from the snowy mountain tops.
Straggle Muster – clever sheep try to avoid coming to the valley for summer and the musterers go out several times after the main muster to check the country is clear.
Snow Rake – if a snow fall occurs early in the season the sheep become trapped on the mountains. The farmers stamp paths in the snow to allow the sheep to walk to the lower country.

Results HERE.