arf2184
Well-known member
Is anyone else following the Iditarod this year?
The trail conditions have been good so far, but many dogs have been showing early signs of illness.
Martin Buser is currently in the lead. If he wins it this year, he ties with Rick Swenson for most Iditarod wins ever. Earlier in the race he lost five of his dogs after his team got tangled with the Jamaican Newton Marshall's team and he had to unhook some of the dogs to untangle them. Five took off. Two of the five showed up at the next checkpoint. The other three were caught and brought in by another musher. Buser had to wait until all his dogs were found before he could check in, but he didn't think it set him back really because he was able to feed his dogs in that time.
Rick Swenson likely broke his collarbone when his sled tipped over on Day 2, but decided to keep running anyway. That's got to hurt. I don't think I would do it. He said as long as he can take care of his dogs, he wants to keep going.
Lance Mackey (winner for the last 4 years) had to drop 4 dogs already so he's down to 12.
Several other mushers have dropped dogs that showed similar symptoms to Mackey's (loss of appetite and not pulling well). Some suspect kennel cough is being spread around. Finishing up day 3, there's been a few mushers that scratched from the race, including Paul Gebhart who was down to just eight dogs.
DeeDee Jonrowe lost some time after her team left the trail. By the time they got back on track, she decided to turn back so she could rest her dogs at the previous checkpoint. She's working her way back up again though and is currently in the top 20.
Ray Redington Jr is using personal GPS to help pace himself this year (first year that this is allowed). I got to meet him last year at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla (he took a picture of my friend and I...lol). He was nice and let me hold and play with puppies so I'm rooting for him...lol. He's currently in 7th place, but there's still a long way to go.
The trail conditions have been good so far, but many dogs have been showing early signs of illness.
Martin Buser is currently in the lead. If he wins it this year, he ties with Rick Swenson for most Iditarod wins ever. Earlier in the race he lost five of his dogs after his team got tangled with the Jamaican Newton Marshall's team and he had to unhook some of the dogs to untangle them. Five took off. Two of the five showed up at the next checkpoint. The other three were caught and brought in by another musher. Buser had to wait until all his dogs were found before he could check in, but he didn't think it set him back really because he was able to feed his dogs in that time.
Rick Swenson likely broke his collarbone when his sled tipped over on Day 2, but decided to keep running anyway. That's got to hurt. I don't think I would do it. He said as long as he can take care of his dogs, he wants to keep going.
Lance Mackey (winner for the last 4 years) had to drop 4 dogs already so he's down to 12.
Several other mushers have dropped dogs that showed similar symptoms to Mackey's (loss of appetite and not pulling well). Some suspect kennel cough is being spread around. Finishing up day 3, there's been a few mushers that scratched from the race, including Paul Gebhart who was down to just eight dogs.
DeeDee Jonrowe lost some time after her team left the trail. By the time they got back on track, she decided to turn back so she could rest her dogs at the previous checkpoint. She's working her way back up again though and is currently in the top 20.
Ray Redington Jr is using personal GPS to help pace himself this year (first year that this is allowed). I got to meet him last year at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla (he took a picture of my friend and I...lol). He was nice and let me hold and play with puppies so I'm rooting for him...lol. He's currently in 7th place, but there's still a long way to go.
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I hope those pups recover quickly!
