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 for most inspirational musher in my book. 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 woven into his personal fabric. As the reigning Norwegian long distance champion, he might have been mentioned in almost everybody’s top-ten list before the start of Iditarod. Here in Nome, Ralph was all smiles and will undoubtedly use all that he experienced on the trail to make him an even more formidable opponent in future race, whether in the United States or at home in Norway. Ralph grew up with working dogs but they were hunting dogs, not sled dogs. He became interested in Iditarod after fellow Norwegian,Robert Sorlie, claimed Iditarod Gold in 2003 and 2005. Ralph was the 22nd musher to reach Nome. He traveled at an average speed of 3.95 MPH and finished in 10days, 3 hours and 45 minutes.  Ralph looks much better in Nome than he did in Rohn a week ago.

Enter another guy from “outside.” Curt Perano lists his home as New Zealand but he might have the most varied of back grounds growing up in Europe, Singapore, the US as well as New Zealand. Perano is the 23rd musher into Nome running an average speed of 3.95 miles an hour. Perano has been running dogs for the better part of fifteen years. Curt and his wife moved to Minnesota to work with Iditarod Veteran Jamie Nelson. Just two years ago Curt and his wife began their own kennel. The Alaska part of their operation is based in Willow but they have a New Zealand tie as well. Under Dog New Zealand is a tour business based in the Southern Alps of his homeland. They are fortunate to turn their love of dogs into a full time lifestyle that allows them to enjoy their dogs and the outdoors. Perano has completed the Iditarod in three consecutive years. Curt covered the course in 10 days, 3 hours and 57 minutes for a personal best.

When Paige Drobney began mushing, she never intended to get into marathon mushing. After spending several years camping and exploring with dogs, Paige and husband, Cody Strathe decided to enter the Gin Gin 200. They were hooked and as Paige said in her bio, “suddenly then were on a slippery slope.” Little did she realize how accurate that phrase would be in describing Iditarod 2014 – LITERALLY! Paige enjoys the outdoor life style and has a graduate degree in Fisheries Oceanography. DogPaddle Designs keeps Paige busy year-round as she assists Cody with designing and building sleds and bags, as well as skin boats and paddles. As a rookie in 2013 Paige completed the race in 34th place. In 2014 she made the trip, averaging 3.94 miles per hour, in 10 days, 4 hours and 42 minutes, an improvement of more than half a day.

Cim Smyth, born and raised in Fairbanks is now a resident of Wasilla. Mushing is the Smyth family covers more than one generation. His father Bud Smyth has run six Iditarod races including the inaugural race in 1973. Cim says he’s been mushing since he was old enough to stand on a sled. This is a common phrase amongst Iditarod mushers that I’ve heard more than once while the bios are read at the arch in Nome. Cim is a professional firefighter specializing in wild land fires. In his “spare” time he enjoys horses, hunting, fishing and gardening. Cim also invests time in the “future” of the sport. Only a week before Iditarod began, Cim talked to the Junior Iditarod rookies about feeding and snacking their dogs. Smyth has been a regular face in the Last Great Race since 2003 although he earned his belt buckle in 1996. He placed 5th in 2009 and has a long list of awards – Sportsmanship, Most inspiration al Musher and the fastest time from Safety to Nome. Cim finished in 24th.