Listen to APRN Daily Updates Mar 3rd | Mar 4th Mar 5th | Mar 6th Mar 7th | Mar 10th Mar11th | Mar 12th Mar 13th | Mar 14th 2003 Iditarod Champion Iditarod Start 4th Avenue Take a walk down 4th avenue and feel the excitement and energy on Iditarod race day! Play video | See how many mushers past & present you can find in the crowd Interactive Iditarod Trail Map Be sure to visit Anchorage Daily New's great interactive trail map of the 2003 Iditarod. View the map. Iditarod Re-Start Reporter David Straub Interviews Aliy Zirkle Play audio Fairbanks on Ice Artist display life size ice sculpture of dog team for Iditarod re-start. Listen to their interviewPlay audio | Download and Install RealOne Player Click on the logo above, then follow the steps for downloading the FREE player.

Attla - " Spirit of the Wind " The Story of George Attla. Alaska s Legendary Sled Dog Sprint Champ, is playing at Century 16 theater in Anchorage, Alaska. This is the story of an extraordinary man whose uncommon strength, agility, speed, and endurance are the stuff of champions. It tells the fascinating story of how he and his sled dogs became champion sprint racers.


KAMCHADAL International Sled Dog Race, March 25-28, 2004
Kamchatka, Russia -October 15,2003
FAIRBANKS, AK ­ The 2004 KAMCHADAL International Sled Dog Race, to be held in the Russian Far East in March 2004, is shaping up to be a significant event. Official Tim White, President of the International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS), and renowned race marshal Mark Nordman, of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, as well as many North American mushers, began discussing guidelines for the Russian event at the Alaska Dog Mushers Associations International Sled Dog Symposium held here. They agreed the KAMCHADAL race was a great opportunity for international competitors to mix in unique scenic surroundings and historical circumstances. Mr. Nordman is negotiating his potential involvement in KAMCHADAL as a race marshal. The KAMCHADAL race will give experienced Alaskan, Canadian and European mushers the opportunity to race against local Russian mushers, especially Koryak, Even and Itelmen natives who do not usually possess the means to travel to other events. Participants will be exposed to learning how others operate and live with their dogs. They will get to observe the local sled dogs, oftentimes the only means of transport for local hunters and fishermen in remote parts of Kamchatka. These dogs have inherited the age-long working qualities of a true Siberian sled dog. Displayed at the race will be native mushing gear and techniques, sledding equipment crafted using ancient traditions passed on for generations. One of the race organizers, Sergey Frolov, said the event was also the perfect chance for some mushers to return to the homeland of their Siberian Huskies. The KAMCHADAL race will not differentiate between the different breeds of dogs, everyone will be under the same rules.The KAMCHADAL race has been organized taking the popular Iditarod race in Alaska into consideration. Mr. Frolov said a group charter flight has been organized with Magadan Airlines to take the mushers from Anchorage to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy after the Iditarod. The four-hour flight can accommodate up to 200 dogs and 100 participants. Competitors will have four days for training before the start of the mid-distance KAMCHADAL race and four days at leisure after the race. The KAMCHADAL race will probably be the last race of the season for many U.S. and Canadian mushers. It will extend the race season for European mushers and give European, Russian and North American mushers a chance to compete against each other. The race course takes mushers around five beautiful volcanoes and to the Nalycheva Valley hot springs, where overnight camping will be provided. Approximately 60 percent of the racecourse is inaccessible by road. Mr. Frolov suggested the best way for visitors to view the race was to take a group helicopter flight to the Nalycheva Valley. Being a Stage Race, the KAMCHADAL event will incorporate resting intervals between 11a.m and 6 p.m., when spring slushy snow makes conditions difficult for dog teams and even snowmobiles. However, this will allow the mushers to give their dogs enough repose before the next heats, while they themselves can admire the Kamchatka scenery. During a 24-hour stop on the trail in the Nalycheva Valley the mushers will join the race spectators at the relaxing natural hot springs. Mr. White, a prospective participant in the race, said he was willing to lease his second dog team to other mushers participating in the race. Some of the North American mushers displayed a willingness to lease their dogs to the Europeans in order to lower their costs of transportation. March weather conditions are excellent in Kamchatka. For many mushers and their teams this period spells the ending of another season, when most look forward to relaxing and spending time with family and friends, letting handlers take the racecourse and run new dogs. Participants are also encouraged to bring family members to visit the Russian Far East. The race will be an International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) World Cup/World Championship qualifier, allowing European, Russian and North American mushers to qualify for future Mid Distance major races. The basic race cost for an American musher is U.S. $4,000 breaking down as follows: $200 – Russian invitations and visa support fee; $2,500 - air travel round-trip cost including transportation of musher, an eight-dog team and 150 kg of dry food, sled and other supplies from Anchorage to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy (six- or seven-dog team will have a lower cost); and $1,300 - race entry fee covering transfers, eight nights of accommodation at the KAMCHADAL Lodge and four nights at race camps, three meals a day, kennel facilities (including a separate kitchen for cooking dog food), use of 50 km of groomed trails for training, storage, veterinary service, food drop, straw, administrative costs and two race banquets. Contracted local beef and fish manufacturers can supply additional dog food for an extra moderate fee (bringing unprocessed meats to Russia is not permitted). Handlers and family members traveling to the race will pay for 12 days of all-inclusive service U.S. $2,000 per person. Children under the age of 12 will get a 25% discount. Russian-made Buran snowmobiles can be leased for extra U.S. $600 ea. for the entire 4 days race including fuel and maintenance on the trail. Local Russian handler-guides (with limited English abilities and snowmobile) can be hired to aid mushers on the trail, drive snowmobile, help with dogs and equipment before and during the race, and set up the camps. The handler charge for 12 days of all-inclusive service is $1,600. The entry payment deadline is February 1, 2004. Tentative purse for the 2004 KAMCHADAL race is U.S. $25,000 and will be distributed in the following way: $7,000 for 1st place, $6,000 for 2nd, $5,000 for 3rd, $4,000 for 4th, and $3,000 for 5th. First, second and third place in the heats 1 and 3 will be awarded additional $500, $300, and $200, respectively. A final decision will be made on February 1, 2004.

Winter sport becomes summer tourist attraction
By PAULA DOBBYN, The Associated PressDENALI PARK (September 26, 11:05 p.m. ADT)
Jeff King is one of the Iditarod's toughest competitors. Like other elite mushers, the three-time champion of the 1,100-mile sled dog race can be brutally sharp-edged when racing.
But King oozes charm as a host to tourists at his home and kennel, eight miles south of Denali National Park and Preserve, just off the Parks Highway."This is home to me and my family, and we're glad to share it with you tonight," said King, standing atop a boulder outside his log house on a recent evening. Click Here for full story

Iditarod board eases rules for blind musher
Oregon teen can be aided by another musher via radio
The Associated Press(Published: September 19, 2003)
A blind musher from Redmond, Ore., will be allowed to compete in the 2004 Iditarod Dog Sled Race, board members of the Iditarod Trail Committee decided Friday.The board voted unanimously to waive certain rules to allow Rachael Scdoris, 18, to be guided by another musher to advise her of trail conditions. The board also approved use of two-way radios so the pair can communicate."It was a fair compromise that will allow Rachael to realize her dream," said Rick Koch, the board chairman. For details Clik Here

Shasta-McCloud Sled Dog Race - California USA
The planned race date is February 21 and 22, 2004. Estimated purse is $3000.00
The race is currently ISDRA sanctioned with PB (purebred) designations. We are applying for 2004 sanctioning with IFSS, as part of the IFSS World Cup and to have the distance class increased to 200 miles to become an Iditarod qualifying race. Distance Race12-dog 135 mile mid distance continuous 2 day race. For details click here

Trail Blazers Sponsoring Centennial hike, Sep. 14:
by Colleen Kelly Seward Phoenix Log
The Seward Iditarod Trail Blazers invite the public to join them Sep. 14 for a seven mile Iditarod Trail Centennial Hike from Bear Lake up to Divide - near Mile 12 of the Seward Highway.Trailblazer member Dan Seavy ask people to meet at 9 a.m. Sep. 14 on the southeast end of Bear Lake. Hikers should park on one side of the road only, so traffic won't be blocked, he said.If done at a leisurely pace with rest breaks, Seavy estimates the hike will take between four and five hours. Although that section of the Iditarod trail is rather primitive - with rocks and roots, he said the route is well-marked."The trail is in good shape," he said. "It's been brushed and logged. The Centennial Ultra Marathon went through there on Saturday, so we had it cleaned out for them."People packing a picnic lunch should stop at Ferguson Lakes, Seavy said. The series of 3 or 4 lakes was named in memory of Lowell Ferguson, an early member of the Trailblazers."He spent endless hours locating different lost trails," Seavy said.After Seavey finishes the Sep. 14 hike, he will drive a Cruise Bus to shuttle people back to their cars at Bear Lake."I'll shuttle people every hour for about 3 hours," he said. For further information contact Seavy at 224-3518.

Whitehorse Sled-dog symposium will begin on Sep 12th
by Stephanie Waddell - Yukon Star www.whitehorsestar.com
For some, getting ready for winter means digging out the snow pants and mittens.For others, it means digging out the dog sled along with the mittens and snow pants. As the season approaches, the Yukon Quest is preparing to host a sled-dog symposium this Friday through Sunday at the High Country Inn. “I am sure that everyone who comes out will learn something that will improve their upcoming season,” Stephen Reynolds of the Quest’s Whitehorse office said in a recent statement. A draft schedule of the symposium shows Quest winners like Aliy Zirkle, who triumphed in the 2000 Quest, and Hans Gatt, who prevailed in both the 2002 and 2003 races. Reynolds stressed that the schedule has not been confirmed yet and the times for presentations and speakers could change. Zirkle is currently scheduled for a presentation on enjoying your dogs throughout the year on Saturday morning. Gatt is scheduled to talk about building a winning team Sunday afternoon. Other presentations will include Iditarod veterinarian Al Townshend speaking on sled-dog veterinary medicine on Saturday and nutrition on Sunday. Eagle Pet Products is sponsoring Townshend’s trip to Whitehorse. He was also part of the sled-dog symposium held in 2001. Mari Hoe-Raitto will look at going from recreation to racing as well as ski-joring, with Ellie Claus speaking about being a junior musher. Erica Rosa will likely be speaking on communication challenges with northern breeds.Along with the individuals, guest speakers could be taking part in panel discussions on tricks from the trail, communication and training with dogs and sled-dog sports in the 21st century. The presentations and discussions are scheduled through the day on Saturday and Sunday.
From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, veteran mushers will be on-hand to celebrate the Quest’s 20 years with images and stories from the 1,600-km annual sled-dog race between Fairbanks and Whitehorse. An open house will be held Saturday night, giving those in dog sports a chance to talk informally with experienced mushers about training, mushing ideas and experiences. A silent auction will also be held to raise money for the Quest. A weekend pass for the event is $25. Friday’s event is $5 for adults and free for youth 18 and under. Saturday’s and Sunday’s events both cost $15 for adults and $5 for youth.
Youth who buy their 2004 Yukon Junior Association of Mushers and 2004 Junior Yukon Quest Memberships together (a cost of $35) also receive a free symposium pass. Currently, 21 mushers have signed up for the 2004 Yukon Quest, set to begin in Fairbanks on Feb. 14.

2004 Serum Run Meeting
The Serum Run will have and informational/organizational breakfast meeting on Saturday, September 13th at 9:30am in Wasilla, at the Mat-Su Lodge. The meeting will serve to recruit new leadership, nominations for board members and trail leaders for snowmachiners/dogmushers. If you want to learn more about being involved and/or running your dogs from Nenana to Nome, tracing the original Serum Run Route come to this meeting. The cost of the breafast in $7.95. Please pass this on to any interested persons. Contact Mellen or @ 345-1248
or Wayne & Janet Oxford @688-7888

Monkey Rigs They set out to create a rig / cart that was light weight, comfortable, reliable and reasonably priced with efficient delivery times. 18 months of research and development created the first Monkey Rig. Their design is a radical evolution of the equipment used by most mushers in the UK for the running in harness of Siberian huskies, Samoyeds, Malamutes and other sled dog breeds. This is what happens when you take a trusted design, born in 1983, apply modern engineering skills with new materials and superior production tools. Visit web site at monkeyrig.com

2003 ADMA International Sled Dog Symposium
The 16th annual International Sled Dog Symposium hosted by the Alaska Dog Mushers Association (ADMA) is coming up. Mark your calendar for October 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2003. You can preregister at a discount by downloading a PDF (76 KB) of the early registration form and mailing it in by Sept. 19th. The symposium will again be held at Pioneer Park (formerly Alaskaland) in Fairbanks, Alaska.Click Here for details

Iditarod schedules special meeting to decide on blind musher
By The Associated Press - Wednesday, July 30, 2003
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Directors of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will hold a special meeting in September to try to resolve the issue over a legally blind Oregon teenager seeking special accommodations to run the 2004 race. Click Here for full story

Bob Ernise on the Serum Run

Bob Ernise Passes from Cancer
29 June 2003
"Our good friend, father, grandfather, son, brother and loving husband departed this realm today at approximately 3:30 p.m. Alaska time. He went
in peace with the permission and embrace of his family and friends. He is without a doubt currently entertaining and winning the hearts and souls of
those with which he is currently in residence. God Speed, Bob Ernisse, the likes of you shall not pass this way again, any time soon." The family request if you want to do something to
honor his life, give blood. Safe journey Bob.

Bob's 'crummy friends' show up to help out and tell a few stories
Mike Doogan comment - ADN (Published: June 13, 2003)
You could have fired a cannon through Fletcher's, where Bob Ernisse holds court behind the bar most days, and not hit a customer Wednesday evening.But just down the hall, in the Hotel Captain Cook's Discovery Ballroom, 400 or 500 of Ernisse's closest friends were gathered to contribute to his medical fund and talk about Bob."He had a mate of his who was really ill overnight," said Dick Holden, an Aussie transplant who got to know Ernisse at Fletcher's. "And he couldn't get away because he was working. So he called me and said, 'You take care of him and get him to the hospital, and I'll take care of you later.'"About two weeks later -- I was working down in Juneau then -- I came in here and said hello. And he said, 'What are you doing here?'" 'You asked me to take that bloke to the hospital and said you'd take care of it, right. Do you remember?'"He said, 'No, I don't.'"I said, 'Are you reneging then?'"And he said, 'Yeah, yeah I am.'Holden laughed. "He's a lovely fellow," he said.For nearly 20 years at Fletcher's, and before that at other Captain Cook watering holes, that has been Ernisse's style: Insult the men and charm the women. It has made him a legion of friends and won him more than one award as the city's best bartender.Ernisse is famous for one other thing, nearly dying in a freak storm during the 1992 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, then coming back to finish the race two years later. It's this sort of determination that gives his friends hope."He's a hell of a fighter," said Mike Williams, another Fletcher's regular. "Let's hope."Until early May, Ernisse seemed perfectly healthy. Dog mushing and workouts in the hotel gym left him in good shape for a guy in his mid-50s. Then he went to his doctor complaining of a backache. He began losing blood around Memorial Day. Tests revealed a rare and aggressive form of cancer, bad enough that he had to be flown to the University of Washington hospital in Seattle. His prognosis without treatment was a matter of weeks. With treatment, it's anybody's guess. (You can find out how he's doing at www.thestatus.com, Patient's Name: Ernisse / Password: 1Robert.) The medical flight was the germ of the fund-raiser, according to Harry Hill. Hill, who got to know Ernisse at the gym, was one of three friends who organized the event."My role was, when it was time to medevac him out, they didn't know whether to spend the $10,000," Hill said, "and I said, 'We'll write a check for the $10,000 and then go hit up his crummy friends.' And that's how the whole thing started."Ernisse recently married and bought a house. His insurance, like most people's, has its limitations."Harry and I were just talking, at Fletcher's bar, of course, and we were talking about there would be a need," said another organizer, Bobbi Olson, who got to know Ernisse when they served on the Boys & Girls Club board.That conversation occurred a week ago Thursday. The organizers decided on an auction, and in six days, mostly through word of mouth, they had assembled an impressive collection of items, so many that they had to turn some down. The hotel provided the ballroom, and benefactors kicked in cold cuts, salads and the necessary for a couple of cash bars, the proceeds of which went to the medical fund."Everybody knows Bob, and everybody loves Bob," Olson said. "He's touched a lot of hearts."The crowd was a mix. Some members used to be part of Anchorage's fast set, but age and prosperity has slowed them down a step. Lobbyists and lawyers attended, as did restaurateurs and bar owners and bartenders and hotel workers and lots and lots of businessmen and businesswomen.Ermalee Hickel was there -- her husband, former Gov. Wally Hickel, was in Japan -- and won a cake baked by her son, Joe, by bidding $350. A Kenai Fjords tour brought $450, a dozen bottles of 3-year-old Ravenswood merlot netted $750, and a jersey, to be autographed by hockey star Scotty Gomez, fetched $2,300. And so on.In all, Olson estimated on Thursday, the event raised more than $80,000.The response, said Bill Gee, a long-time Ernisse pal, "is a real interesting study in human nature. This guy's a phenomenon."Mike Doogan's opinion column appears each Tuesday, Friday and Sunday in the Anchorage Daily News. Reach him at 257-4350 or mdoogan

Keli Mahoney - Memorial
June 6, 2003 -ADN
Talkeetna resident Keli Mahoney, 35, died May 28, 2003, as a result of an aviation accident on South Hunter Pass in Denali National Park. The rosary was said June 1, and a Mass was held June 2 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Talkeetna with The Rev. Leo Walsh as celebrant. A celebration of her life was held June 2 at the Talkeetna Elementary School gym. Ms. Mahoney was born Feb. 20, 1968, in Quincy, Mass., to Roy and Francis Mahoney, the youngest of six children. At age 16, she became the first female member of the Seven Hill Yacht Club in Boston. A private pilot at age 16, she was a certified flight instructor at 18. After completing a bachelor's degree at Bridgewater State College, she began flying the east coast corridor for the TWA regional commuter shuttle in 1989, at age 21.In 1991, Ms.

Keli Mahoney (left) and LeeAnn Wetzel

Mahoney moved to Bethel, where she flew for Hageland Aviation. In 1993, she relocated to Talkeetna. She was chief pilot for Doug Geeting Aviation for the 1993 and 1994 seasons. In 1995, she and business partner LeeAnn Wetzel began McKinley Air Service, one of only four companies in the United States owned and operated by women. Specializing in ferrying climbers to base camp on Mount McKinley and flightseeing tours of Denali National Park, Ms. Mahoney acted in the capacity of co-owner and chief pilot for McKinley Air from 1995 until the time of her death.She was an avid dog musher. Owner of McKinley Kennels, she raced in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome in 1997 and 1998, placing as high as 30th. She also ran in the Yukon Quest race between Whitehorse, Yukon, and Fairbanks in 2001 and 2002.An active member of the Talkeetna community, Ms. Mahoney was a member of the volunteer ambulance service and was a volunteer firefighter.Family and friends said: "Keli lived her life to its fullest capacity. There was no boundary she felt she couldn't cross nor was there a challenge too great for her to tackle."Ms. Mahoney is survived by her life partner, Cheri Cote of Talkeetna; parents, Roy and Francis Mahoney of Quincy, Mass., and Hobe Sound, Fla.; sisters, Susan Nye and husband, Lindsey, of Maine, and Diane Claire and husband, Michael, of New Hampshire; brothers, Roy Mahoney Jr. and wife, Janet, and Steven Mahoney and wife, Kathy, all of Massachusetts; nephew, Rob Owens of Florida; and many other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Carolyn Owens.A memorial fund has been established at Wells Fargo Bank, Wasilla Branch, 581 Parks Highway, Wasilla 99654, account 1002352969.Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Four die in air taxi crash including Iditarod Musher Kelly Mahoney
ADN May 28, 2003
Talkeetna pilot was ferrying 2 climbers, passenger to McKinley area
An air taxi ferrying two mountain climbers and a sightseer crashed in the Alaska Range near Mount McKinley on Wednesday, killing all three passengers and the pilot, the National Park Service said. Click Here for full story

CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR LEO OLESEN
A celebration of life for Leo Olesen was held on May 13, at 6:00pm at the Alaska Dog Musher's Hall on Farmer's Loop Road in Fairbanks, AK. Leo Olesen was a very special member of the Yukon Quest family who dedicated many years assisting the organization. First as a race volunteer, then later as a race marshal and race manager, as well as the presiding chair of both the International Council and rules committee, Leo was a driving force to help shape the race over the last 20 years.Leo was diagnosed with an indeterminate form of cancer that primarily affected his liver and had been undergoing an aggressive course of chemotherapy in Fairbanks. He passed away on Tuesday with his family and friends at his side. Tuesday's event was a celebration of his life with his family and friends. There was a spaghetti feed, silent and outcry auction, music and dancing. Funds raised during this event will go to help defray the costs of his treatments. Anyone wishing to contribute may contact the Yukon Quest office at (907) 452-7954 9am-5pm Monday thru Friday. If you would like to make a donation, a fund has been set up at Denali State Bank in Fairbanks. Contributions can be made through any Denali branch, or you can contact the Yukon Quest office to make donation arrangements. For more information, please contact the Yukon Quest office or event coordinator Steven Reilly at (907) 456-5535 / (907) 456-7550.

Musher Severs 3 Fingers
Iditarod veteran, Ted English was working on some home projects when the saw he was using kicked backed and severed 3 fingers. Doctors will try and re-attach them. Ted's comment "I didn't need them anyway."

Iditarod's Red Lantern Winner
Russ Bybee of Willow, Alaska extinguishes the "Red Lantern" for the 2003 Iditarod in 15 days 5 hours 30 minutes 53 seconds.Iditarod race officials deserve their own "Atta-Boy" award for pulling such a tremendously difficult, logistical nightmare of a race off in such style. Way to go Stan, Jack & Mark. May we never have another snowless, warm year like this one EVER! NOTE: We will have an interview and photos with Russell on his race tomorrow - Stay tuned.

Iditarod End of the Trail Awards Banquet
First to Nome- Robert Sorlie finishing the race in 9 days 15 hours 47 minutes and 36 seconds The Leonard Seppala Humanitarian Award - Goes to veteran musher Jeff King Fred Meyer Sportsmanship Award - Jim Lanier and Sonny Lindner were both honored with this award, determined by a vote of the mushers Iditarod Official Finishers' Club. Jim and Sonny helped mushers through a difficult section of overflow en route on the trail to Tanana from Manley. Chevron Most Inspirational Musher - This award goes to DeeDee Jonrowe and Charlie Boulding. An inspiration like no other!Golden Stethoscope Award - An honor reserved for outstanding veterinarian care on the trail, goes to Dr. Colby Johnson Golden Clipboard Award - To honor the efforts of a checkpoint community, mushers choose a checkpoint for special appreciation. This year, that thanks goes to the Yukon village of Galena. Iditarod's Rookie of the Year- Soft spoken, 20-year-old Jessica Hendricks, a musher from Kenny Lake, Alaska is the 2003 Iditarod Rookie of the year.She is one of the youngest mushers in this year’s Iditarod. Mushing for 10 years,she has always wanted to run the Iditarod and is very proud that she has raised and trained he own team. She’s finished the Jr. Iditarod and the Jr. Quest and has completed several mid distance races. She says her dogs come from Erhart, Buser and MacEAchen lines.Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award - This is awarded to the most outstanding lead dog. This honor goes to "Tip", one of Robert Sorlie's lead dogs. Most Improved Musher - Clint Warnke 26th in 2003, 53rd in 2001, improvement of 27 positions
Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time From Safety To Nome - Ramey Smyth 2 hours, 26 minutes

2 more end their race to Nome
Ellen Halverson and Debbie Moderow scratched in Shatoolik Sunday. Iditarod Race headquarters had no official reason for their decision.
Adam Scott Gibler & Ramstead's Siberian Team Scratches
Nome, AK – Sunday March 16, 2003
Rookie musher Adam Gibler had to scratch today, Adam called to say" my dogs just wanted to be done with the race.What can you do? I didn't have leaders left in the team to be able to switch out, taking turns in front. It was just too much to ask of my 2 leaders. They had done such a remarkable job breaking through snow drifts and going as far as they did". Adam exclaimed with such pride. He ended the interview with some final thoughts "I have learned a tremendous amount about my dogs and myself the past 867 miles. I am going to be back next year with a lot more knowledge under my belt". Veteran musher, Karen Ramstead, Perryvale, Alberta, made the decision to scratch in Unalakleet, 864 miles into the race. Ramstead arrived in Unalakleet friday morning at 8:10 and made the decision to scratch later in the day. She stated that she was ill and didn’t feel that she could continue to Nome. At least thirty-nine mushers have completed the race. There are still a dozen or so mushers on the trail to Nome.

Iditarod Updates
For complete race updates go to Iditarods official web site. Follow the race until the last musher reaches Nome - Click here


Web Cameras
Nome: Looking down Front Street looking South over the Bering Sea Click here
GCI's camera near the finish line in Nome Click here


Kathy Buser talks to pet-diet.com about Martins race this year
Play audio |

Back of the Pack Gets Hammered
reported by GJH - DANews 14 Mar 2003
Iditarod mushers Adam Gilbler, Ellen Halverson & Russell Bybee known as the "3-pack" have been experiencing white out blizzard conditions from Eagle Island to Kaltag today. Winds gusting to 30 mph bringing the 2 degree temperatures down to minus 21 (F). With Adam's team in front, leaders "Bosie" and "Sudan" breaking through the drifted trail the entire 70 mile stretch. Bitter cold wind blew in their faces mixed with the bite of blowing snow and ice. Visibility was zero. Adam said "I stayed on the trail by finding each trail markers one by one" Encountering snow drifts 3 feet high and in many cases the trail completely blown away. The dogs, showing confusion would zig zag along the empty white landscape, completely putting their trust in our judgment."Those leaders were listening to every command I shouted. We were in total sink with each other, it was awesome" Kneeling low on their runners to prevent the wind from creating a drag on the sleds and making it easier for the dogs to pull. The brutal weather in this area and on up the coast is extremely dangerous. It is a matter of life and death if you are not prepared. They safely made it into Kaltag by keeping their heads and letting survival instincts take over. Adam arrived into the checkpoint suffering from some kind of bug - vomiting and extremely tired, all he wanted to do was get his dogs settled in and sleep. They were so grateful for the people in Kaltag who immediately helped care for their needs and the trail sweepers who back tracked to check on them ....fully prepared to make a "rescue" if necessary. A big thanks go to Veterinarian's Kristen Roberts & Dee Turner, Checkers Melissa Leeder, Randy Parent and Try Zachary for all their help.True tales from the trail....

Lachlan Clarke Scratches in Eagle Island
Rookie musher, Lachlan Clarke, Colorado Springs, Colorado, made the decision to scratch today in Eagle Island, 709 miles into the race. Clarke arrived in Eagle Island at 1:40 a.m. Thursday and made the decision to scratch at 12:15 p.m. today. He stated that his dogs were too mentally tired to make it the rest of the way to Nome. Forty-eight mushers and their teams remain on the trail and on their way to Nome

Norwegian - Robert Sorlie Iditarod Winner
9 days 15 hours 47 minutes and 36 seconds. First place goes to a smiling Norwegian musher, Robert Sorlie. Arriving in Nome Thursday morning with 9 tail wagging sled dogs at 01:47:36 . Winning $68,571 and a new Dodge pick up truck. Robert was beyond words as the media and sponsors bombarded him with questions. He was met at the finish line by his wife who flew all the way from Norway to surprise Robert. "A dream come true" exclaimed Robert.Both Robert and the dogs looked strong arriving under the burlded arches. He praised his dogs and gave them credit for such a spectacular race. Ramey Brooks arrived in Nome with a time of 9 days 17 hours 32 minutes and 10 seconds claiming 2nd place. Follow all the mushers as they complete their journey along the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. We will report daily until the last musher crosses under the finish line.

Two more Scratches
Dexter Kancer and Gerald Riley both scratched today. This brings the total to date to fifteen.For Iditarod Press Releases Click Here

Crossing Under the Burled Arch
It's that time. One by one mushers will pass under the Nome burled arch and transform into "Iditarod Finishers". It's a feeling that is undiscribable. To many mushers, it's so emotional it drops them to their knees. Some just hug their dogs, ignoring the hundreds of cheering spectators. A personal accomplishment like no other. To all that pass under the acrh it's a good day!

The Norwegian Bullet Picks up 3 of the Iditarod Trail Awards....
To some, it's bad luck to get all three of these awards, but history has changed that rumor. Robert Sorlie first into Ruby picked up the PenAir Spirit of Alaska, normally given in the McGrath checkpoint. He picked up the GCI Halfway Award (normally at given in Iditarod checkpoint) this year in Eagle Island , the first time they passed through Eagle Island, still with me? Okay...Sorlie was also the first to the Yukon sponsored by the Millenium Hotel (normally given at the Ruby or Anvik) this year was in Kaltag ...Two awards that will remain the same is the Fisrt place & Red Lantern, still planned to be given to the first and last mushers that arrive in Nome. Odds are Sorlie will not see the Red Lantern.

GB Jones talks about looking forward to "treeless" river run on the Yukon. (1:02) Play audio |

12 Rookies, Veterans & Champions
by DA News Mar 8 2003
What do they have in common? Scratching from Iditarod 31. The long drive on the Yukon has taken it's toll on some of the teams. GB Jones of Wasilla Alaska and Todd Capistrant Emerald, Wisconsin are the latest to end their 2003 race to Nome. Charlie Boulding from Manley, Alaska scratched in Anvik he was down to 9 dogs this was his 11th Iditarod. Keith Aili from Ray, Minnesota, a rookie scratched in Grayling #1. Keith was down to 8 dogs and said he just didn't have the team trained up enough this year.. A total of 12 mushers have scracthed this year including veteran musher, Ted English of Willow, Alaska. Ted made the decision to scratch today in Galena, 380 miles into the race. English arrived in Galena and made the decision to scratch stating that he was just worn out. 1984 Iditarod Champion Dean Osmar also scratched in Galena. Race headquarters press release states that Dean was ill the past few days and made the decision to scratch. Blake Matray & Karen Land both scratching in Tanana. Jason Barron scratching in Ruby. Bob Hickel of Anchorage scratched in Tanana. Musher Lance Brave called it quits in the Manley checkpoint. Barve indicated that he didn’t feel that he had enough miles on his dogs and that continuing on would cause too many injuries.Peter Bartlett said that his dogs were not eating and that it was in the best interest of his dogs to scratch from this year’s race.Wasilla musher Peter Bartlett scratched in Tanana. Fifty-two mushers and their teams remain on the trail and on their way to Nome. For iditarod Press Releases Click Here

Stop the Presses
Another route change for this years "connect the dots" trail map. Race officials have decided to eliminate the Shageluk checkpoint. Instead they will turn around at Anvik cutting out about 50 miles of trail. Trail breakers reported that the race route in the Shageluk area is not in good condition. Overflow and open water plague the trail. Safety first, another difficult but wise decision on Iditarods part.

The Norwegian Bullet Picks Up the Halfway Point Award
Mar 7th 6am AST
The Firefighter of Norway, is smokin' down this years rerouted Iditarod trail. For his efforts he picks up the GCI Half Way Point Award, his team averaging 7.38 mph with 12 dogs arrived in Eagle Island at 03:29:00 AST. Robert Sorlie receives a beautiful trophy and $3,000 dollars in gold nuggets symbolic of the history of this interior area of the Iditarod Mining District. The second musher into Eagle Island will receive nuggets valued at $2,000 and the 3rd will receive $1,000.
Click Here for race updates

---

Photos from the 2003 Iditarod Start
Click Here

---

Audio Interviews - 2003 Iditarod
by pet-diet.com's reporter & Iditarod Musher David Straub