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Sanka W. Dog
The icy Gorge took its toll on Ralph. Facial lacerations and broken ribs would have sent some folks packing but not the premier Norwegian distance musher. Was it his character or was it everything he’d put in to getting to Iditarod that kept him on the trail. He’s a tough character and perseverance is deeply …
A frosty Mike Ellis brought his sensational Sibes into the Gold Coast community of Unalakleet shortly after the sun rose on Monday morning. When the dogs were parked, Ellis took off booties and let the dogs roll around on the snow for a bit to cool off. Once Mike put straw down, the huskies including …
Tracker is on a large screen TV in the checkpoint but none-the-less people chose to wait outside to welcome Aliy Zirkle as the first musher into Unalakleet. There were roughly 200 spectators down on the slough to welcome Aliy. perhaps the next Iditarod champion and the first woman since Susan Butcher won in 1990. Go …
Team Baker, both John Baker and Katherine Keith bootie in a similar and very unique manner. The dog lays on its back and extends all four feet into the air. The musher slips the booties on and secures the elastic velcro all while looking at the belly and chest for harness rub. Kill two birds …
Monica Zappa stretched each and every dog and then spent time massaging all her athletes while on the required 24-hour rest in McGrath. She’s big on going the extra mile in dog care and the dogs love the special attention. Born to Run, Sanka
Mike Ellis was preparing to leave McGrath this afternoon. Ellis has Siberians, the pretty dogs. this dog’s name is Franky. Ellis considers Frankie to be the most beautiful creature on earth. Do you agree? Born to Run, Sanka
Look at this handsome pair of athletes at the front of Monica Zappa’s team. She’s been raising a competitive team since moving to Kasilof in 2010. Growing up in Cumberland, Wisconsin Monica has been around sled dogs most of her life. Both parents have run the long distance John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon from Duluth, …
The ceremonial start offers great opportunities to photograph mushers and dogs. Sometimes the dogs are doing goofy things. Take for example this pair of Alaska Huskies. They provide a new definition for “wheel dog” as they sit patiently awaiting their turn under the start banner. In the mushing world, wheel dogs are the canines hitched …
How crazy is it that you can be right in the middle of all the Iditarod action but not know what’s happening along the trail? I’ve worked as a communications specialist at Skwentna Checkpoint for eight years and the same has been true for all eight years. The race runs through the checkpoint sitting below …
Thank you Brent Sass! Sounds strange to say thanks to a guy who wisely withdrew from the Iditarod after sustaining a head injury during the Yukon Quest. Sass and Allen Moore were on track for an exciting finish. Prior to the finial checkpoint of the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest, Sass and Moore were playing leapfrog on …