The Last Great Race

[linrick1]

Anyone here following this years Iditarod? I was living in Nome in '98 and '99 and watched the finish of the race.......huge party, incredible dogs, gnarly weather, just a great time. Ceremonial start was yesterday in Anchorage where conditions are poor, restart tomorrow in Fairbanks where the conditions are much better, colder temps. and fresh snow......looking forward to a great race.

 

[oosik]

I lived in Anchorage - '66 until '82 and watched and celebrated with everybody. Wow - they moved the restart from Talketna to Fairbanks. They must be having skinny snow conditions also.

Yes, I follow the race, as best as I can, from down here.

 

[oosik]

i checked for results this am but its still to early. Saw a map of the course and the first half is quite different - many more stops in native villages.

 

[gmikem206]

I am following the Last Great Race! I lived in Anchorage until 1968 so never saw the Iditarod. But I watched the World Championships (sprints, three 25 mile days) held in Anchorage many times. With the Iditarod start changed to Fairbanks this year, the halfway point will be the village of Huslia, home of George Attla. George, who recently died, was a multiple WC winner. He had a legendary rivalry with veterinarian Dr. Roland Lombard of Massachusetts back in the day, for about a decade! Great memories. Iditarod - Last Great Race on Earth

 

[oosik]

Yes, I well remember George Attla - the Huslia Hustler and Dr Lombard. You are right - those were the days.

 

[linrick1]

Quite a race so far...the leaders are heading for Huslia now. My man Lance Mackey is struggling, hands are failing him, bet he still sees Nome though.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I lived in Alaska 25 years, but I only ever saw the race "starts" and then followed the race on the radio or TV...

SR

 

[oosik]

SR - My race experience was the same as yours. However, once - because I'm a Ham radio operator - I was given the chance to be flown into a remove village and report the race from there. Like a real idiot - I passed on the chance and now - - - I wish I could regale you with passed experiences.

 

[gmikem206]

Six mushers are headed from Shatoolik to Koyuk which will leave them just about 170 miles away from Nome. The total race encompasses 979 miles and started (officially) on 3/9 at 10 AM from Fairbanks. Temperatures have improved from as low as 40 below to about the zero mark. Of the six lead mushers two are women, Aliy Zirkle and Jessie Royer. About a third of race entrants are women. So let us celebrate our daughters, gents (and ladies)!! Iditarod - Last Great Race on Earth

 

[gmikem206]

Here is the race map! The light blue line is this year's route from Fairbanks. The race would normally start in Anchorage and alternate between the gold and dark blue routes each year.

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