The Ceremonial Start—Preview of the Teams
Noting the coverage at the Insider and video of 4th Avenue, Anchorage, the reader can appreciate the man made snow covered lot. With my media pass, I slip through a gate managed by very diligent volunteer security and wallow through six inches of snow duff.
Since the Ceremonial start is largely symbolic—kind of a showcase for the crowd in Anchorage—it is nevertheless mandatory that the mushers harness 12 (no less, no more, advised Race Marshal Mark Nordman) of the possible 16 race dogs allowed by the rules to haul sled, musher, and Iditarider. Most mushers hook two sleds in tandem with the 2nd sled, or “whip sled” (you get a wild ride around corners) manned by a handler, and the musher and Iditarider locate in the first sled. Since the Ceremonial is not timed and does not count in the final standings, the atmosphere is relaxed but—IT IS STILL MANDATORY. Underneath the calm, the mushers are making sure to avoid the unexpected. The biggest source of paranoia are the voluntary handlers that help ease teams to the start line.
John Bakers partner Cat boots a dog trained to lay down and .offer paws. Very easy on the back, best way to go for dog and musher
Because the snow on the street is loose, it is very difficult to brake the 12 dog teams. Additionally, the mushers are reluctant to stand on their hardened steel tipped brakes as the underlying asphalt will grind them down in a block. Therefore, handlers walk with the dogs and slow them down. In the process, it is possible for a human to accidentally step on a dog’s paw. You can hear the caution, “Be careful, don’t step on the dogs.”
I took a slice of reality while walking the street. Harrison, Iditarider in John Baker’s sled was geared up with warm gear and standing by the team. He will ride with John for 11 miles.
Harrison is John Baker’s Iditarider, hanging out by the dog truck
Some mushers joke that their biggest effort is “dog transport”, then secondarily mushing. Check out these truck and trailer combinations.
Ken Anderson’s dog hauler
While the Start line speakers beat out “Who let the dogs out,” I took a photo of Mike Ellis. Mike is driving a team of pure bred siberians, not necessarily the best breed for racing. While they are legendary for travel in very cold weather, efficient converters and eaters on the trail, most racing insiders regard them as too steady, not fast enough for Iditarod at the top end. Still, Mike guarantees “This will be the fastest Siberian team ever, to reach Nome.”
Mike Ellis at right waiting to harness his Siberian huskies
Mikhail Telpin, the Russian musher just starting his second language as Englis, was surrounded by fans who taxed his interpreter for comments. Mikhail is driving a team of particularly distinctive dogs from Chukotka. Certainly they are different than the confirmation mushers easily recognize as “Alaskan husky.” Neither breed is recognized in a registry like AKC, but they are typey. I took this picture to show the blockier sturdier build and thick coat of a Chukchi dog.
A typey Chukchi dog from Teplin’s team
Dee Jonrowes color coordinated outfit and truck
Dee Jonrowe has run an incredible 30 Iditarods (or maybe 31), often finishing to the front. I asked her husband if it cost him a mint to paint the truck pink, but he reported that one of their sponsors coated it “like they do with buses”.
jamaican musher newton marshal with fans
Jamaican musher Marshal Newton was on the streets acknowledging his fans. While a Jamaican musher might attract more interest as a novelty, be assured that Newton is completely competent. He has trained with 4xChamp Lance Mackey, is a veteran of the Idtiarod as well as the 1000 mile Yukon Quest, and the real deal. This man can race sled dogs.
Norwegian musher Joar Leifseth Ulsom, posing for a photo with fan.
Joar is another one of those rookie mushers from Joar that deserves attention. They have a strong tradition of the arctic and know sled dogs, so dont expect this Iditarod to be a leisurely camping trip. REcall that 2x Champ Robert Sorlie arrived as a rookie days before the race start, quickly acclimated his team to a different continent, and went on to win the 2003 Iditarod.
4x champ Lance Mackey. His athleticism, his personality, and his story have gained him a world wide following
Lance Mackey, caught here preparing to be filmed, could be one of the most recognizable of contemporary mushers. His 4x record is legendary and his life story (including a come back from cancer) unique. The documentary will follow Lance’s life and also his accomplishments as an athlete and musher. Personally, I got to know Lance well when we collaborated on his book The Lance Mackey Story. His fan base, many relying on his steely approach to life and a philosopy of uncompromised optimism, is world wide.
Martin Buser demonstrating a light weight swivel chair he has installed to the rear of his sled
Finally, a photo of Martin Buser demonstrating his latest innovation. I include the 4xchamp in my list of top ten contenders, largely due to reports from other mushers who competed against his dogs during the race season. Normally Martin shares dogs with his son Rohn, but this year’s team is reported to be a super team from both outfits.
Sunday, 2pm alaska, is the RE-Start, the beginning of the real race. Now you really will need the gps tracker to follow mushers out of Willow. Check out the Insider for gps tracker and exclusive race video.
