Community Ski Race
Mushers turned their bibs in at Nenana for safekeeping. Even so there were plenty of bibs here in Unalakleet late this afternoon. The skiers participating in the community ski race were all wearing bibs, it wasn’t the mushers. The ski race takes place directly across the slough from the checkpoint on the dragon’s back. One can do double duty with a camera. Shoot a heat of the ski race and then shoot a musher coming into the checkpoint. The sun is in the perfect position for both shots. Then to top the day off, there is a pie social sponsored by the Covenant Church. Fruit pies and cream pies are baked by villagers and brought to the church. Each piece is sold for $3 and that includes ice cream or one could buy a whole pie for $24.
Jeff King heads to the Blueberry Hills and Shaktoolik
Before walking across the slough, I wanted to say hello to Jeff King who was preparing to depart for Shaktoolik. Jeff is currently running in 31st place. King, a four time Iditarod Champion was smiling and talking to his dogs as he adjusted their harnesses and connected their tug lines. He stopped to chat for a few minutes and I noticed his sunglasses. King is known for his innovative designs in mushing gear. He designed a new harness, he designed a sled called a tail-dragger, a few years back he carried a dog kennel on his sled, one year he had heated handlebars and last year he used a cylinder for a stove. This year it was an adaptation to his sunglasses. Natives have used wooden or bone sun goggles with slits in them to protect their eyes from the sun, cold and wind since way before sunglasses were ever invented. Jeff adapted that to a modern pair of sunglasses. He drilled a 3/8” hole into each lens. It was designed to offer protection from the sun, cold and wind. He said they worked well. A villager was standing nearby and asked him for a bootie. Jeff obliged and then called his dogs to their feet. All thirteen dogs stood up, shook as only dogs can do and when King pulled the snow hook they trotted off toward the Blueberry hills.
Take a close look at Jeff King’s Sound Glasses
The ski race started with the youngest children first. They skied out a short distance and then back. The first graders went a little further, the second graders further, etc. When they got to the high schoolers they skied a couple of laps around the groomed trails of the dragon’s back. Awards were presented following the pie social. The number of people that ski in this community is immense. There are lessons for all ages. This doesn’t happen by it self. The second grade teacher and Biathlon coach Nancy Persons is to thank. She not only teaches in her classroom but she shares her love for skiing by organizing learn to ski activities. It was Nancy’s husband who was out grooming the trails earlier this morning for the race this afternoon. Nancy Says, “It has certainly been a huge group effort to make it all work and to get kids on the snow and outside.” This is an amazing initiative in getting kids and adults to move through skiing. It’s a sport for a lifetime. Over time, since 2006, I’ve watched many of the young skiers become proficient in the sport. Nancy asked her 2nd graders to write a paper on what they wanted to do someday. One little skier wrote, “I want to be a pizza maker and a ski instructor to teach adults to ski.” That little guy now skies on the biathlon team. He’s getting closer to his goal.
Nathan Schroeder with Local 1348 Millwright Coats
Back to the dog race. Nathan Schroeder brought his team into the checkpoint during the ski race. Nathan’s dogs were wearing blue coats bearing the Local 1348 Mill Wrights Virginia, MN logo. As he passed by, he said, make sure you get a picture of these new dog coats. A Minnesota native, Schroeder was introduced to mushing in grade school when he rode in a sled behind a team of malamutes. It wasn’t the speed that got his attention, it was the athleticism of the canines. From that time, his focus has been on running Iditarod. He’s raced many times in the lower 48, winning the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon 4 times. Schroeder earned rookie of the year honors in the 2014 Iditarod and has run each year since then. His best Iditarod career finish is 17th. Nathan says, “This is my 4th Iditarod and I see myself racing it forever. I just can’t get enough.” Schroeder has worked as a Millwright in Local 1348 for 17 years. He is currently running in 34th place.
Jodi Bailey Approaches Unalakleet
Hearing that Jodi Bailey and Melissa Steward were soon to come off the river and into the checkpoint, we hiked out on the trail to capture a photo of the teams running with the mountains and windbreak in the background. Jodi Bailey soon came into view and was surprised to be greeted by three cameras and the people holding them. Bailey and her dogs are quite photogenic. Her young charges are doing well with the influence of Topaz and M.K., Bailey’s veterans. Jodi has started and completed five Iditarod runs with 23rd being her best finish. Bailey is also a Quest veteran. She accomplished her rookie run in both marathon races in 2011, something no other racer has done. Bailey is currently running in 35th place.
Melissa (Owens) Stewart into Unalakleet
Following Bailey past the windbreak was Melissa (Owens) Stewart. Melisa hails from Nome and says she’s been mushing since she was born. She claims mushing is in her blood. She ran her first Iditarod in 2008 and is one of the two youngest females to finish the Iditarod. Melissa and her husband, Jason, have established their own kennel that includes bloodlines from the Owens Kennel in Nome. Melissa completed the Jr. Iditarod 4 times with a Championship in 2005 and two other top ten finishes. In 2006 she received the Jr. Iditarod Humanitarian award. Stewart has given back to the Jr. Iditarod race by serving as the race marshal for many years. Steward is holding on to 36th place.
The Berington twins and Allan Moore are expected into the checkpoint before mid-night. Enjoy this sunset over the Bering Sea.
