News
There’s so much for your senses in Nome, eyes and ears especially. I’ve taken lots of notes and as the race wraps up, I want to share some of the flavor of Iditarod along the trail and in the Community of Nome. Here goes… Last year in Unalakleet, I noticed this little stuffed critter hanging …
Welcome to Nome was the announcement/proclamation heard on Front Street this morning at 0220. The incoming Iditarod finisher was Tommy Jordbrudal. The rookie finished in 44th place with an average speed of 3.22 miles per hour. Tommy didn’t have his first mushing experience in his home land of Norway but rather in Juneau, Alaska. That …
Jamaican born Newton Marshal came down Front Street this afternoon and was greeted by a large enthusiastic crowd. To make his arrival in Nome even more festive, several of his favorite tunes were broadcast over the public address system. Since beginning his career in mushing almost ten years ago, Newton has finished the Yukon Quest …
Charley Bejna was a winner in 2013. He scratched before reaching the finish line in Nome but way before that, he dared to dream, to plan to prepare and practice. He’s back in 2014 with a specific mission in mind. He accomplished what he set out to do when he brought his dog team under …
It was very dark at 0500 when folks started to trickle to the chute to welcome Anna Berington into Nome. As the people gathered, the snow fell as it had for about twelve hours. In Nome the winds were calm but they might not have been coming over Topkok or out on the Safety Flats. …
Two more teams completed Iditarod 42 during the dinner hour on Thursday. That brings the total to 38 teams that have run the course. This group of mushers tells a different story about the coast. Shaktoolik is the first word out of their mouths when asked if there was a particularly difficult part of the …
The number of mushers in Nome has reached 36 as of late Thursday afternoon. Folks in the convention center, also known as the Mini, are chatting with mushers, collecting autographs and waiting for Richard Beneville’s Robert Service reading including “The Cremation of Sam McGee.” It’s an annual happening that is much anticipated and well attended. …
The first musher to reach Nome on the 13th of March was Rick Casillo. On his fifth trip to Nome, he claimed 26th place. Casillo grew up in New York then came to Alaska as a fly fishing guide. Watching the Iditarod sparked his interest in sled dogs. Casillo and his wife Jennifer operate Battle …
Mushers often travel together and this would be particularly true with some of the adverse trail conditions experienced since making the Gold Coast. Iditarod served up four teams on Wednesday evening for entertainment during the dinner hour. First of the quartet to make the burled arch was rookie, Ralph Johannessen. The Norwegian is a candidate …
Ham, egg & cheese – that’s how Wade Marrs, Nathan Schroeder and Abbie West came into Nome during breakfast this morning. From the church where volunteers are housed, I heard the fire siren announcing the 16th musher into Nome, Wade Marrs. There was enough time to finish my hot chocolate and a couple of bites …
