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Deke Naaktgeboren
37 YEAR OLD YUKON QUEST Musher
Nationality:
American
Current Residence:
Goldstream, Alaska
Occupation(s):
Recreation Planner - BLM
Kennel Name:
Nautique Sky Kennel
Kennel Name Origination:
My Siberian husky in college named Nautique who showed me just what a husky could do!
Kennel Bloodlines:
Deke, Seavey, King, Gebhardt
Breeds:
Alaskan Husky
# of Dogs in Kennel:
35
Nautique Sky Kennel
Sponsors:
Aurora Animal Clinic, Chicken Creek Saloon, Individual Dog Sponsors

Musher Question & Answer

How many years have you been running dogs?
10
Tell us about your dogs, particularly some stories or facts about dogs running the 2022 race with you

Through a bunch of coincidences, my original bloodlines are from Kiruna, Sweden, which also happens to be the place I learned how to mush in 2008 as a handler 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle.  Although not a major line in my kennel, I love having a bit of a Scandinavian influence and most of those dogs also have a beautiful reddish color to them.   

How did you get started running dogs?

<p>I was out running my pet Siberian Husky named Nautique in Colorado when I came across a team of 8 sled dogs and a musher.&nbsp; I made it back to his truck before he did and wouldn't let him leave till he promised a dog sled ride.&nbsp; Rest has been history.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

What do you love most about running sled dogs?

<p>Having a well-conditioned happy team about 10 miles down the trail, just getting the edge off, and knowing that no matter what happens next I'll take care of them and they will take care of me.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Are you a member of any other organizations involved in sled dog sports?
Two Rivers Dog Mushing Association, Iditarod, Dog Powered Sports of the Yukon
Why did you enter the Yukon Quest? What are your goals for the race?
My team loves to climb hills, and there will be a lot of hills in the Yukon Quest 550. A lot so that sounds pretty fun. My goal will not be to freeze my toes off in some of the coldest country in Alaska.
What music do you listen to on the trail?
List recent sled dog races and/or best performances
Year: 2021; Race: Summit Quest 300; Finish Place: 2nd
Year: 2021; Race: Copper Basin 300; Finish Place: 10th
Year: 2020; Race: Iditarod 1000; Finish Place: 26th
Year: 2019; Race: Yukon Quest 1000; Finish Place: 16th