Rick Larson, 48, was born in Montana. He's been in Sand Coulee the last 15 years where he is an equipment operator. He's been running sled dogs with his own kennel for the last 10 years. Rick says he started his career handling for Chris Adkins. Terry Adkins gave him a team of dogs to train and race. His race that first year was the Race to the Sky in Montana. After the race, he bought three dogs from Terry Adkins and now has a kennel of 45 competitive Alaska huskies. "I have won all but one race in the 200 milers in the Lower 48, Can-Am Crown, UP 200, Seeley Lake 200 and others. This is his 4^th Iditarod and he says he wants to finish in 10 days. Rick is married to Sandy and has one step son, Duane, 31. He is a member of the volunteer fire department and lists his hobby as hunting.