Hi Boys and Girls,

Last night was the awards banquet in Nome.  It was held at the Nome Recreation Center. The banquet is to congratulate all the finishers of this years race.  There are also awards given out. For a very detailed list of the awards and who won them this year you can go to:  

http://d3r6t1k4mqz5i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PRESS-RELEASE-FINISHERS-BANQUET.pdf

This years awards are:

PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award– BANQUET.pdfPresented to the first musher to reach McGrath.  This years winner is Sonny Lindner

GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award– Presented to the first musher to reach the halfway checkpoint which this year was Iditarod.  This years winner is Aaron Burmeister

Milennium Alaskan Hotel First Musher to the Yukon Award: Jeff King

Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Gold Coast Award– Present to the first musher to reach the “Gold Coast” community of Unalakleet.  This years winner is Aily Zirkle.

Bristol Bay Native Cooporation First Fish Award: This is a new award this year, given to the team that reached Galena first. Itwas awarded to Aliy Zirkle.

Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome Award– Presented to the musher who has the fastest time from Safety to Nome. The winner of this award had to finish in the top 20. This years winners are Jessie Royer and Ray Redington Jr.

Horizon Lines Most Improved Musher Award– Presented to the musher who   has bettered his/her most recent finish by the most number of places. This years winner is Richie Diehl

Jerry Austin Rookie of the Year Award– Presented to the top place rookie.  This rookie could not of ever started the race before this year.  This years winner is Nathan Schroeder

Sportsmanship Award– Mushers vote on this award.  This years winner is Michael Williams Jr.

ExxonMobil Mushers Choice Award– Presented to the musher chosen by his or her peers who was the most inspirational on the trail.  This years winner is Aaron Burmeister

Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award– Presented to the musher chosen by staff and officials as the person who most closely mimics Herbie  in his/her attitude on the trail. This years winner is Newton Marshall

Northern Air Cargo 4 Wheeler Award– Presented to a musher who has finished the race and whose randomly picked key starts the 4 wheeler.  This year’s winner is Robert Sorlie

Golden Clipboard Award– Presented by race officials to the most outstanding checkpoint.  This years winner is the community of Galena

Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award– Based on specific criteria to determine who has best demonstrated outstanding dog care throughout the Race while remaining competitive.  This years winner is MartinBuser

City of Nome Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award Winner– Presented to an outstanding lead dog, chosen by the mushers.  This years winner is Beatle, Dallas Seavey’s Lead Dog

Wells Fargo Red Lantern– Presented to the last musher to finish the race.  This years winner is: Marcelle Fressineau

Anchorage Chrysler Dodge Official Truck Award- Presented to the Iditarod Winner. This year’s winner is Dallas Seavey.

Wow, that’s impressive.  Congratulations again to all the finishers and to all the winners.  Hope to see everyone back next year. 

Watch for post race posts from Zuma, Libby, Sanka and myself during the next week or so. 

Until our trails meet,

Gypsy