Hi Boys and Girls,

Last night was the awards banquet in Nome.  It was held at the Nome Recreation Center. The banquet is to congratulate all the finishers of this years race.  There are also awards given out.  This years awards are:

PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award– Presented to the first musher to reach McGrath.  This years winner is Aaron Burmeister

GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award– Presented to the first musher to reach the halfway checkpoint which this year was Iditarod.  This years winner is Lance Mackey

Milennium Alaskan Hotel First Musher to the Yukon Award: Martin Buser

Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Gold Coast Award– Present to the first musher to reach the “Gold Coast” community of Unalakleet.  This years winner is Mitch Seavey

Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome Award– Presented to the musher who has the fastest time from Safety to Nome. The winner of this award had to finish in the top 20. This years winner is Ramey Smyth

Horizon Lines Most Improved Musher Award– Presented to the musher who   has bettered his/her most recent finish by the most number of places. This years winner is Nicolas Petit

Jerry Austin Rookie of the Year Award– Presented to the top place rookie.  This rookie could not of ever started the race before this year.  This years winner is Joar Leifseth Ulsom

Sportsmanship Award– Mushers vote on this award.  This years winner is Cim Smyth

ExxonMobil Mushers Choice Award– Presented to the musher chosen by his or her peers who was the most inspirational on the trail.  This years winner is Mike Williams Sr.

Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award– Presented to the musher chosen by staff and officials as the person who most closely mimics Herbie  in his/her attitude on the trail. This years winner is Mikhail Telpin

Northern Air Cargo 4 Wheeler Award– Presented to a musher who has finished the race and whose randomly picked key starts the 4 wheeler.  This year’s winner is Anna Berington

Golden Clipboard Award– Presented by race officials to the most outstanding checkpoint.  This years winner is the community of Ophir.

Golden Stethoscope Award– Presented by the Iditarod Official Finishers Club (IOFC) to the veterinarian whom they feel was the most helpful on the trail.  This years winner is Dr. Sterling Thomas DVM and Dr. Dirsko VonPfeil

Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award– Based on specific criteria to determine who has best demonstrated outstanding dog care throughout the Race while remaining competitive.  This years winner is Jake Berkowitz

City of Nome Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award Winner– Presented to an outstanding lead dog, chosen by the mushers.  This years winner is Tanner, Mitch Seavey’s Leader

Wells Fargo Red Lantern– Presented to the last musher to finish the race.  This years winner is:  Christine Roalofs

Wow, that’s impressive.  Congratulations again to all the finishers and to all the winners.  Hope to see everyone back next year. 

Watch for posts from Zuma, Libby, Sanka and myself throughout the year.

Until our trails meet,

Gypsy