Nome tri-weekly nugget., 1919-04-04
AVER AGAIN LOWERS BORDEN CUP RECORD

eff the grand honors in tie annual ] John Borden Marathon cup race over the Cape None course, in addition to again establishing a new speed record of l hour 53 minutes, 21-1-5 seconds,
 reducing the best previous record by | II 2-5 seconds. Owing to the ab- | sencc of Leonard Seppala and the in ability of other dog team owners to get their teams in proper shape for
 the gruellins contest, competition in | yesterdays race was reduced to the Aver team and that of Grant Jackson. The Jackson team was not in the best of shape however. and proceeded only a short distance on the outward course before coming to a halt, leaving the winner to make the journe V alone. The teams left the starting line ca
 Barracks Square twenty minutes ap- art. the Aver team leading. at 7:3O a. Ill. owing doubtless to the early hour not q great many witnessed the start aside from the race officials, and the more ardent dog fans. Promptly at the word the Aver team sped away eastward at q breack-neck pace which soon carried the flying canines out of view below the lighterage docks Ow- ing to Seppala having drawn second place in the drawing for starting places. it was 7,50 before Jackson and over the course in the wake of the l leader. Aver passed F't. Davis in re- cord time. the dogs fairly flying over the smooth trail as they passed the re- servation. Jackson's team was unable to stand the pace however, and slowed down d few miles beyond the post
 where they were overtaken by Aver on his return trip. The return to town from the turning stake. situated on the shore ice opposite Cape Nome | was accomplished at practically the same pace as the outgoing course, the well trained uOSS continuing l1ell leaping gallop with little apparent fat ! igue throughout the greater part of being practically two hours later than the start, the crowd witnessing the finish was somewhat greater than tha which watched the teams set out, and considerable enthusiasm was shown as the furry racers dashed up Front Street and crossed the line at the enl of their long trip. The stout little animals were in excellent shape and displayed little sign of fatigue. The course was the regulation Marathon distance of 2s-144iillas, 3S5 yards, desig- mated by millionaire Borden, donor of the magnificent silver cup forming the chief prize of the unique contest. Mir. Aver has now won the race three times, lowering the record in each Cf the three contests, the first of which was held in 1917. The record estab- lished by him in the first race is given on the books of the Nome Kennel Club, under the auspices of which the con- test has been held since it's inception. was 1 hour, 54 minutes and 46 seconds. In the succeeding contest last year, the Aver flyers clipped more than min ute from the first record reducing the
 time to 1 hour. 53 minutes, 32 3-5 sec- onds. The record of 1 hour 53 minutes,
 21 1-5 seconds established in yester- days race reduces the original record by 1 minute, A 4-5 seconds.
 | Mir Aver is now in line to receive the massive silver cup, which under
 the stipulation of Mir. Borden is to be
 given to the team winnig the race lthree times. It has been decided
 however, that Leonard Seppala, who was unable to return from Candle ir time to participate in the race, shal
 be given an opportunity to lower thl record after his return here. At the time of donating the cup, Mr. Borden laid down the dictum that the race was to be a speed contest designed to bring out the speed qualities of the racing dogs of this section, rather than an or. dinary competitive race. and Seppala
 who undoubtedly possesses one of the speediest teams in the territory will therefore. be given chance to sent