Today marked the start of the 2011 Iditarod sled-dog race. For those unfamiliar, the “Last Great Race” is an 1,049 mile annual sled-dog race which starts in Anchorage the first weekend in March and ends in the northwestern city of Nome approximately 10 days later.
The honorary starting line
The Iditarod is one of the world’s greatest tests of stamina, strength, and sport. The 2011 race includes 62 total mushers – 49 veterans, 13 rookies, 15 women and 8 countries represented.
The man to beat in this years “Last Great Race” is 4-time champion, Lance Mackey, who is on a 4 win streak (a record) and a win this year will tie Mackey with legendary musher Rick Swenson as the only 5-time Iditarod champions.
Lance Mackey - #17
Lance Mackey is the Lance Armstrong of sled-dog racing. They are alike not only in name, but both are also cancer survivors, have dodged doping allegations and most importantly are the kings of their sports.
The Iditarod is the “Alaskan Superbowl.” It’s also the winter fur fashion show. We managed to snap a couple extra photos of the festive atmosphere.
Fur - It's what's fashionable.
The crowds took to the roof
Unlike most offices that conduct “March Madness” pools, the Anchorage office of Davis Wright Tremaine hold the “Iditarod Championship” pool. The basic format is this: Choose 3 mushers – 1 so called “favorite,” 1 other veteran musher and 1 rookie. Points are assigned based on how the mushers finish. Add up the points and lowest total wins.
My team includes last year’s second place finisher Hans Gatt; a jamaican musher named Newton Marshall and rookie canadian Nicolas Petit. Bios available here.
Finally, for those who love seeing photos of us, here you go:
Aren't we attractive?
Stay tuned over the next 10 days for race updates.
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