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/2011/12/3.20.16_Iditarod_2016-Iditarod-awards-banquet-release-FINAL.pdf?019e32
This years awards are:
PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award- Presented to the first musher to reach McGrath. This years winner is Dallas Seavey
First Musher to Ophir Award- presented to first musher to reach Ophir. This years winner is Brent Sass
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 Dallas Seavey
Lakefront Anchorage First Musher to the Yukon Award: This years winner is 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 Brent Sass.
Bristol Bay Native Cooporation First Fish Award: This award is given to the team that reaches Kaltag first. It was awarded to Mitch Seavey
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 winner is Nicolas Petit
Matson 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 Noah Burmeister
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 Geir Idar Hjelvik
Donlin Gold Sportsmanship Award- Mushers vote on this award. This years winner is John Baker
Most Inspirational Musher Award- Presented to the musher chosen by his or her peers who was the most inspirational on the trail. This years winner is Matt Failor
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 Ralph Johannessen
Golden Clipboard Award- Presented by race officials to the most outstanding checkpoint. This years winner is the community of Nulato
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 Aliy Zirkle
City of Nome Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award Winner- Presented to an outstanding lead dog, chosen by the mushers. This years winner is Reef, Dallas Seavey’s Lead Dog
Wells Fargo Red Lantern- Presented to the last musher to finish the race. This years winner is: Mary Helwig
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.
Until our trails meet,
Gypsy