As of this minute, Kjetil Backen of Norway is in the lead of this great race. Over 90 mushers started out this year which is a record, I think. He's 150 miles into the race, just out of Rainy Pass Alaska, and they'll end in Nome (almost 1200 total miles). So far, he's averaging almost 9 miles per hour. Things change quickly in this race, and they've all got a long way to go. Sigrid Ekran of Norway is currently in 8th place. It's an awesome race so far with a lot of seasoned veterans plus many rookies. This is the first year I've been watching that there isn't a musher entered from Wisconsin, so I'm rooting for one of the local favorites Aliy Zirkle...she's done this many times and has a wonderful attitude, lots of spunk, and an energetic personality. Click here if you're interested in learning more... http://www.iditarod.com/
Boy those races are soooo tough!!! I watched the video and there are just so many hazards the men/women and, of course, the dogs have to face!!! I have nothing but admiration for all who take part whether they come in first or last.
What a race. I get a chill just watching it and I notice how out of shape I am. Did not know people from Wisconsin enters. What other countries and states have entered in the past or in this race? I hear the race is not for the weak.
I want to click the link but I just know poor Lucy will get tired just thinking about how hard those dogs are working, she's off her couch and chewing on her raw hide, I'll have to look into this later though thank you for the post.
Yay! Well, for now anyway. I think just entering that race is worthy of a medal. I can't imagine all the training and preparations beforehand. Norwegians have participated before, but I can't remember how they did.
Kjetil Backen is still neck to neck with several other veterans in the lead. It's neat this year as they have GPS tracking devices with some of the mushers so you can follow their progress along the trail. They're almost 200 miles into it now (not even a fifth of the way through). It sounds like unseasonably warm temps are in the forecast for the next few days and possibly some snow. Many mushers would prefer it cooler with more compacted snow.
They've had their 24-hour-rest too, now. Kjetil Backen is obviously using a slow, but safe approach at the moment. I managed to find out that Norwegian Robert Sørlie won in 2003 and again in 2005. He's the first overseas winner of Iditarod.
Yeah, the race this year is really interesting. Many of the top veteran mushers are in contention. We'll see what the weather brings...it's unseasonably warm and the dogs are overheating. Hopefully the mushers won't have to deal with open water on any part of the trail. Almost half way now.
Wow, I had a look at the details of this race, those men, women, and dogs are amazing! Lucy and Lucky can't go more than a couple of miles in a day, they would probably get tired just watching this race! This is an incredible event thanks for posting this kaseylib.
Sounds pretty close now between defending champ Lance Mackey and veteran musher Jeff King. The temps are warm and not all trails are in the best of shape because of it. Unbelievable dogs and mushers!!! Here are a few photos posted in the Anchorage Daily Times...the first is Norwegian musher Kjjetil Backen laughing as he drives his team past a sign for fellow Norwegian musher Sigrid Ekran as he nears the Ruby, Alaska, checkpoint of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Friday, March 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Al Grillo) He's currently in 5th place. And here's one of Sigrid tending to her dogs. She's holding her own now in 14th place.
Go, mushers go! They are all winners, regardless of place. Thank you for posting those photos, it's fun to see.
