Iditarod Musher Profile

Zoya DeNure, 33, was born and raised in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. She worked as an International runway model for twelve years, working in such place as Shanghai, China and Milan, Italy.

On one of her trips back home, she watched a sled dog demonstration; fascinated by these amazing animals, she quit her job and trekked to Alaska in search of her new destiny. She worked for well-known musher Bill Cotter for one year before piecing together her own dog team; some purchased from other mushers, some rescues.

In 2003, she met her husband, John Schandelmeier, and together they founded a rescue/rehabilitation kennel for unwanted sled dogs.

2008 found Zoya competing in and finishing her first Iditarod Sled Dog Race with mixed team of rescues and her own race dogs; "there is no difference—dogs are dogs whether they come from the Shelter or from our yard."  Zoya's 2010 team will again be a mix of dogs; "I expect to be more competitive this time, now that I know what I am getting in to; I can focus on where I need to improve."

Zoya, John and their 7 month-old daughter, Jona, reside in Interior Alaska near the town of Paxson. Zoya enjoys writing, yoga, and keeping fit; but above all, her time with dogs.