Chet The Dog : Iditarod

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Iditarod

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March 20th, 2021 Posted 8:39 am

The 2021 Iditarod – world’s greatest dog sled race – is in the books. Some of our Plunderers – a very special sub group here at the blog – have sent in their takes. Many thanks to Hobbit, WATP, and Carol for the following:

“This was Aliy Zirkle’s last race before retiring after 11 Iditarods and 10 Yukon Quests. Aliy had a strong and vocally supportive fan base hoping she would win this one after coming in so close in prior races. However, she was seriously injured on the trail coming into the Rohn checkpoint–the 5th of 17 checkpoints. She was medivaced to an Anchorage hospital and is now recovering at home.

The Anchorage newspaper reports: ‘Sheets hang over the windows to block out light at the Two Rivers home where Aliy Zirkle and Allen Moore live. Moore speaks to his wife in whispers, and Zirkle doesn’t go outside or online. Since crashing her sled and her skull on the ice last week in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Zirkle has avoided light and sound because of a head injury. Tuesday was the first day she hasn’t vomited, Moore said early in the afternoon, and she still can’t lift an arm that was dislocated when she hit the ice and was dragged by her team for an unknown distance across glare ice on the Tatina River….She hasn’t been able to look at a phone or a computer yet, it just hurts her brain too much.’”

“I continue to follow the Iditarod each year, including this year,, although it is somewhat less compelling without the Snowhook dogs involved. The one thing that struck me this year, which has happened in prior years as well, is how devoted most of the mushers are to their dogs, and the recognition that the dogs are the true heroes of the event. I think as long as that sentiment continues, the Iditarod should continue as America’s Last Great Race as well.”

“A bit of Iditarod history:
Dallas Seavey has won his 5th Iditarod (2012,2014,2015,2016,2021) which ties with Rick Swenson–the “King of the Iditarod”– who won 5 times in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, and 1991. Rick has completed in the most Iditarods (34) and has finished in the top ten 24 times. His last Iditarod was in 2012. Mushers who have won four times: Susan Butcher, Martin Buser, Jeff King, Lance Mackey, and Doug Swingley. Susan is the only musher to win in four consecutive years.

Wells Fargo withdrew its sponsorship in 2017. No reason was given but rumor had it that there was pressure from animals rights groups. In 2020 more major sponsors withdrew citing pressure from PETA. in 2021 Exxon announced this was the last year it would sponsor the race. Next year with be the Iditarod’s 50th year–how much longer will this “last great race” last?”