Hi Boys and Girls,

Well all the mushers are in and everyone attended the awards banquet last night 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.  This years awards are:

PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award– Presented to the first musher to reach McGrath.  This years winner is Martin Buser.

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 Trent Herbst

Millennium Hotel Anchorage Alaskan First to the Yukon Award– Presented this year to the first musher to reach the checkpoint of Anvik.  This years winner is Hugh Neff.

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

Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome Award– Presented to the musher who has the fastest time from Safety to Nome and also finishes in the top 20.  This years winner is Lance Mackey.

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 Trent Herbst.

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 Nicolas Petit.

Fred Meyer Sportsmanship Award– Mushers vote on this award.  This years winner is Allen Moore.

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 Rick Swenson.

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 Paul Johnson.

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 Pete Kaiser.

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

Golden Stethoscope Award– Presented by the Iditarod Official Finishers Club (IOFC) to the veterinarian whom they feel was the most helpful on the trail.  This years winner is Samantha Yeltatzie.

Iditarod Trail Committee 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 winners are Velvet and Snickers, John Baker’s Lead Dogs.

Anchorage Chrysler Dodge Jeep Official Truck– Presented to the Iditarod winner.  This years winner is John Baker.

Wells Fargo Winner’s Purse- Presented to the Iditarod Winner.  This years winner is John Baker.  John received $50,400.

Wells Fargo Red Lantern– Presented to the last musher to finish the race.  This years winner is Ellen Halverson.

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