2014 Iditarod--The End is in Sight

Those of you who have followed me know that I am an avid follower of the Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska.  I have been enthralled for the past week following the various mushers and their dogs across 1000 miles of frozen trails.  Thanks to the Internet, I can follow from my kitchen table with instant GPS tracking, video interviews at the rest stops, streams of written articles, and more statistical information than I can possibly interpret.  I feel like I am cheering on old friends as the familiar names march across my screen.


This year's leaders are fast approaching the end of the race as they close in on the finish in Nome.  With only about 80 miles left to cover, the world is waiting to see which team will cross the finish line first.  Unlike most sports the competitors are not all under the age of 30.  In fact, age has it's definite advantages in this sport, for it is a race demanding knowledge and wisdom as well as fitness and strength.  Each racer (called mushers) will face 1000 miles of Alaskan terrain with only his abilities and his dogs.  Speeding along for hours on end without seeing another human they will have only themselves to rely on as they deal with whatever the wilderness will throw at them. 


This year the weird weather we have been experiencing has taken a toll on the Alaskan weather, too.  The beginning of the race was over trails that were often rock and dirt rather than packed snow.  This meant the sleds were being thrown from rut, to rock, to tree, to dip, to rut instead of gliding on a cushion of snow.  The sleds survived but the mushers were a mass of bruises, sprains, and bangs.  Several scratched due to the conditions.  Later they faced snow that had melted and refrozen into sheets of ice, that made the hills and mountains into torturous toboggan runs.  Rivers that normally would be frozen into flat roadways, had thawed and refrozen, creating piles of ice blocks that made for hazardous travel.  Add to this temperatures that reached -40 degrees and fierce winds and you have a race to remember--if you survive.


The leaders at this point illustrate the value of experience as well as training and endurance.  The lead is virtually tied at mile 891 where the three top competitors are checking in and resting at White Mountain, 77 miles from Nome.  Ally Zirkle, 44 years old, is the only woman in the leaders, although far from the only woman in the race.  Ally has come in second the last two years and has been a strong leader during the last part of the race.  Virtually tied with her is Jeff King, who is 58, and is striving to win his fifth Iditarod.  Coming on strong right behind them is Dallas Seavy, who at 26, is the youngest of the leaders.  Dallas is hoping for a repeat of his 2012 win, when he became the youngest winner in the Iditarod history.  Following him is his father, Mitch Seavy, aged 54, who won the race last year.  Next is Martin Buser, 56, a four time winner,  and Sonny Linder, 64, who finished 2nd in 1981.  It fascinates me that in a world that worships youth and considers athletes to be "over-the-hill" by 40, this race that is a grueling physical and mental challenge should be dominated by those with some age and wisdom. 


Just to clarify, this is the top six of 53 racers that are spread out over the course of the race, with 14 more that have already scratched.  Men and women, young and old, all competing equally.  The test being in their knowledge as a musher, the athletic abilities of their dogs,  their fitness and strength, and their strategy for the race. 


Another point to know, although Ally Zirkle is the only women in the leaders, should she win, she will not be the first.  Libby Riddles won in 1985 and claims that honor.  While Susan Butcher won a total of four times in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990.


The next few hours and 77 miles will see some real excitement as the leaders jockey for position and race for Nome.