Ross Fraboni of Two Harbors takes top finish overall in Gichigami Express Sled Dog Race

Ross Fraboni of Two Harbors and his team won all three stages of the inaugural Gichigami Express Sled Dog Race and mushed his way to the top prize Tuesday.

Fraboni totaled 12:07 for all three stages of the race when he crossed the finish line in Mineral Center Tuesday afternoon. He and the team ran the final stage in 3:28:30 to take home the first place finisher's price of $6500.

Ryan Redington of Wasilla, AK stayed in second place throughout the day finishing the third stage in 3:28:32, just two seconds behind Fraboni on the final stage. Redington ran the complete course in 12:10 and received the $4500 second-place purse.

The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa underwrote the $25,000 total in finisher prizes. The purses will be distributed at the 6 PM Awards Banquet at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.

Keith  Aili of Ray maintained the third place post he captured Monday and finished the third leg in 3:33. The finish gave him an overall time of 12:27 for the race. Aili took home the third place $3500.

Will Kornmuller of Willow, AK moved up on Tuesday to fourth, finishing the third leg in 3:35 for a total time of 12:37. He received $2000 for his finish.

Also improving his position Tuesday was Ryan Anderson of Ray who finished in 3:33. When added to the first two stages, Anderson came in fifth with an overall time of 12:42. He and his team take $1750 home with them.

Erin Redington of Wasilla, AK finished sixth in the overall standings with a 3:41 third leg and overall 12:47 finish. She captured $1500 for her finish. She was followed by Hovland's Frank Moe whose seventh place finish was only a minute behind  Erin Redington at 12:48. Moe ran the third stage in 3:53 to earn $1000 for his finish.

Finishing between 13 and 14 hours were: Bruce Langmaid of Kearny, ON, eighth, 13:03, $900; Nathan Schroeder of Chisholm, ninth, 13:09, $800; Vern Schroeder of Warba, 10th, 13:24, $700; Michael Bestgen of St. Cloud, 11th, 13:26, $550; Ariane Jasmine of Clam Gulch, AK, 12th, 13:38, $450 and Rita Wehesler of Tofte, 13th, 13:49, $350.

Finishing between 14 and 15 hours overall were: Blake  Freking of Finland, 14th, 14:19, $300, Amanda Vogel of Ray, 15th at 14:35, $200 and Kevin Malikowski of Outing, 16th, 14:52.

Colleen Wallin of Two Harbors and James Wheeler of Clam Gulch, AK, rounded out the finishers in 17th and 18th with times of 15:04 and 15:13 respectively.

More information on the race, photos and videos are available at www.gichigamiexpress.com.