Every year I put together a series of posts for a group of friends who follow the Iditarod together. I thought the people here might enjoy them as well. Full disclaimer: I am not an expert--just a hardcore armchair musher.
Iditarod Download, Pre-Race:It’s time for the best part of the year! It’s been an unprecedented year, so it’s fitting that this year’s edition of the Iditarod brings with it many changes from years past. Here’s what you missed, and here’s what you need to know.
1. Dallas Seavey is back!After a couple of years away from the Iditarod after being falsely accused of illegally drugging his dog team at the conclusion of the 2017 race, Dallas is back -- and that means everyone had better watch out. You can read more about Dallas’s return here:
https://www.alaskapublic.org/.../dallas ... eturns.../2. Mitch Seavey is out!He’s not retiring, he’s not done for good...he’s just taking a break from the Iditarod this year. (And sharing his best dogs with Dallas, gulp!)
3. Aliy Zirkle is retiring.Of all the things that happened this year, this was surely the worst. (That may be a slight exaggeration, but not by much.) The long time fan favorite who was always competitive and in many ways embodied the spirit of the Iditarod better than anyone else in the race today has decided to hang up the sled and ride into the sunset. Read Aliy’s parting letter to the state of Alaska here--and then try not to cry:
https://www.adn.com/.../aliy-zirkle-im- ... fore-i.../4. There’s no returning champion.Marking an exceedingly rare occurrence in the modern rendition of the race, 2020 Iditarod Champion is not returning to defend his title. The Norwegian (who was stranded in Alaska for quite some time after last year’s Iditarod trying to figure out how to return home amidst increasing coronavirus concerns) ultimately was unable to figure out a way to get both himself and his dogs over to Alaska for the race, leaving the field wide open for a new champion this year.
5. There’s a new course.Amidst COVID-19 concerns, race organizers have pulled out all the stops to make this year’s race happen. In order to bypass the many native communities the race traditionally passes through, particular in the later half of the traditional course, this year’s race will be an out and back to the checkpoint of Iditarod. Ironically, this isn’t too far off from what race founder Joe Redington originally envisioned. The new course will result in a slightly shorter race (860 miles vs the almost 1000 miles of the normal route) and an absence of the perils and random weather of the Alaskan coast. Stay tuned for more write-ups talking about what impact the new course is likely to have on the race.
6. This is a socially distanced IditarodFirst off, applause to the race organizers for all their work in making the Iditarod happen this year. The logistics of the Iditarod in a normal year are not easy, so to successfully set up a completely new iteration of the event deserves praise. Still, this year’s race is going to be different. No ceremonial start. No finish in Nome. No spectators. Multiple rounds of COVID testing for all competitors. And checkpoints that have been largely set up to take place outside of towns and communities. Mushers are going to be kicking it old school this year--instead of being able to go inside community buildings and homes to catch precious warmth and rest (not to mention charging electronics and other logistical details), they’ll be largely camping outside, either utilizing warming tents provided by race officials or (as I suspect many will choose) camping with their team. You can read more about these changes, along with comments from mushers, here:
https://www.ktoo.org/.../the-iditarod-s ... ay-and.../Get pumped! The Iditarod starts today!
