Paul & Evy,
Thank you both for your time and answers! It always makes us armchair mushers feel like we have gotten just a little closer to the action.
In terms of what the Irod will look like in 10 years-more specifically, with the snowmachine accidents this year, do you foresee changes in regulations there? Should there be changes? I know when I watching the end of the race there were a couple of times I thought "oh my!" in regards to all the traffic that seemed very close to the mushers.
Also, there were so many mushers entered this year. I am wondering if there will be more people who will lease a team and enter? Should there be requirements-different requirements about training, experience, etc., than those currently in place? What is the ecological impact of so many dogs and people on the trail? What is the impact on the villages? I had read an article that stated it could be very hard on the villages-stretching the limited resources-and then another that suggested it was an economic boon. I suspect both points of view are correct, but does the balance tip in one direction or the other the more people are entered?
I know there is not a definitive answer, but it is always interesting to hear more informed points of view!
FP (Candy)