Iditarod
The Iditarod [ ˈaɪditɐrɒd ] is the longest dog sled race in the world. It leads over 1850 km through the almost untouched nature of Alaska , USA . Since 1973 , the dog race has been held annually in March on parts of the historic route of the Iditarod Trail , from Anchorage to Nome . The ceremony starts in Anchorage on the Saturday of the first weekend in March. In addition, extra snow is brought into the city center. The teams start here with 12 dogs each, but only cover a distance of just over 30 kilometers. The official start of the race in Willow is on Sunday . The teams start here with up to 16 dogs. During the next eight to fifteen days, the mushers have to defy their dogs practically on their own with arctic temperatures, whiteouts and icy winds, the wind chill can fall well below −70 ° C.
The current course record of 8 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds comes from March 2017 and was set by Mitch Seavey . At 57 years of age, he is also the oldest winner in Iditarod history and has won the race for the third time. Seavey benefited from a changed route for his record; Due to the lack of snow, the start was moved from Willow to Fairbanks , so longer passages led over the flatter Klondike instead of the mountain ranges of the usual route.
From 2012 to 2017 all 6 races were won by father (Mitch) or son (Dallas) Seavey.
history
Today's purely athletic dog sled race was originally intended to be a tribute to the historic Iditarod Trail and the men and dog sled teams who drove it.
Today, a parallel is often drawn to the dog sled relay in the winter of 1925 as a result of a diphtheria epidemic in Nome . At that time, diphtheria was diagnosed among the local residents, mainly gold prospectors, and a race against time began to get the necessary medicine from Anchorage to Nome, initially from Anchorage on the then only railway line in Alaska to the town of Nenana, 680 kilometers away. then another 1090 kilometers over some of the toughest and most dangerous trails in Alaska to Nome. In a relay race, a total of twenty mushers with more than one hundred dogs transported the serum to the Bering Sea in just five and a half days. The normal driving time at that time was three weeks. The Norwegian Gunnar Kaasen and his lead dog Balto reached Front Street in Nome at 5:30 a.m. on February 2, 1925. Most mushers see Leonhard Seppala and his lead dog Togo as the real heroes of the race. The two conquered the most dangerous section of the route and also transported the serum a longer distance than any other team.
The race became internationally known mainly through the author Gary Paulsen , who took part in 1983 and 1985 and processed his experiences in 1994 in a book. This in turn served as the model for Disney - feature film Snow Dogs - eight heroes on four paws ( Snow Dogs , 2001).
At the Iditarod 2013, Martin Buser tried the new tactic for the first time to get by with as few breaks as possible. To do this, he took the mandatory breaks as early as possible in order to overtake the competitors during their breaks. He failed on the Yukon section when he and his dogs had to be the first to form the track over hundreds of kilometers. In addition, the weather was relatively warm, so that there were open water holes in the river and his dogs were not only exhausted, but also developed diarrhea from drunk meltwater.
Competition suffers from the effects of global warming . Mike Williams, elected representative of the Yupik from Akiak , testified before a congressional committee in 2013 that the heat at the last races was so great that the mushers only wanted to drive at night in order not to overwhelm their dogs. They would also have to move the route away from the rivers because the ice would no longer be reliable.
route
The central part of the race alternates annually on a northern and southern route around the Innoko National Wildlife Refuge . In the even years, the participants have to complete the northern route, in the odd years since 1977 the southern route. Apart from the alternating changes in routes, the route has only been changed slightly since it was first implemented in 1973. Bigger changes were the introduction of the restart and the switch from Ptarmigan to Rainy Pass .
As a result of these changes, the effective length of the route also varies. Officially, the actual length of the northern route is 1112 miles (1790 km) and the southern 1131 miles (1820 km). However, the length is often given as 1,049 miles, alluding to the fact that Alaska is the 49th state in the United States. For the actual course of the race, however, this is only of secondary importance, as the path between the individual control points is free for the mushers.
Checkpoints
On the route to Nome there are 26 (northern route) and 27 (southern route) checkpoints at which the mushers and their teams must report and where they can fill up their provisions and take a break or change sleds . Otherwise the route is free. Once each participant has to take a break of 24 hours, twice a break of eight hours. This is to prevent the dogs from being overwhelmed. The health of the animals is also continuously checked by veterinarians.
Start ceremony
| Ceremonial start |
|---|
| Anchorage to Eagle River 20 mi (32 km) |
| Highway (by car) |
| Eagle River to Willow 20 mi (32 km) |
| Restart |
The race begins on the first Saturday in March on Fourth Avenue in downtown Anchorage . Snow is poured into the streets to enable the start. For the teams that start here at two-minute intervals, this first section is a special one, because there are many spectators cheering on the participants over the first 20 miles. However, some mushers fear that this could make their dogs too nervous. Since, according to the rules of the race, this first section has no influence on the ranking list, the participants often take it easy.
Start of timing
| Restart |
|---|
| Willow to Yentna Station 14 mi (23 km) |
| Yentna Station to Skwentna 34 mi (55 km) |
| Skwentna to Finger Lake 45 mi (72 km) |
| Finger Lake to Rainy Pass 30 mi (48 km) |
| Into the interior |
The actual race usually starts in Willow on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The participants start every two minutes, the delay at the start will be credited to them later at one of the mandatory intermediate stops. There is an increased risk of incidents with moose for the first 100 miles , as they tend to travel quite far south in search of food. Otherwise the terrain is flat and the route is well marked. After Finger Lake the route becomes more dangerous. The Rainy Pass is considered the most difficult checkpoint of the race.
In the hinterland
| Into the interior |
|---|
| Rainy Pass to Rohn 48 mi (77 km) |
| Rohn to Nikolai 75 mi (121 km) |
| Nikolai to McGrath 54 mi (87 km) |
| McGrath to Takotna 18 mi (29 km) |
| Takotna to Ophir 25 mi (40 km) |
| Division of the route |
From Rainy Pass we continue up, over the tree line and then down into the interior of Alaska . In the high valleys there is a constant risk of blizzards , which some participants have already been fatal. In 1974 there were several incidents of frostbite when the temperature reached -50 ° F (-46 ° C) and the wind was blowing at 80 km / h. The wind also blurs the tracks and markings, making it even more difficult to stay on the trail. After the Rohn checkpoint , the path leads along the Kuskokwim River . The greatest danger here is in so-called overflows, liquid water that flows almost invisibly over the frozen river.
The route continues via Nikolai , an Athabaskan village , to McGrath , the largest checkpoint on this part of the route. Via Takotna the path leads to Ophir , from where you can switch to the northern or southern route. At this point, the leaders are already several days ahead of the last.
Northern or southern route
| Northern route (even years) |
|---|
| Ophir to Cripple 59 mi (95 km) |
| Cripple to Ruby 112 mi (180 km) |
| Ruby to Galena 52 mi (84 km) |
| Galena to Nulato 52 mi (84 km) |
| Nulato to Kaltag 42 mi (68 km) |
| reunion |
| Southern route (odd years) |
|---|
| Ophir to Iditarod 90 mi (145 km) |
| Iditarod to Shageluk 65 mi (105 km) |
| Shageluk to Anvik 25 mi (40 km) |
| Anvik to Grayling 18 mi (29 km) |
| Grayling to Eagle Island 60 mi (97 km) |
| Eagle Island to Kaltag 70 mi (113 km) |
| reunion |
According to Ophir, the route chosen is the northern route in even years and the southern route in the odd years. The southern route was used for the first time in 1977, on the one hand to get through the eponymous town of Iditarod - today a ghost town - and to give these places the opportunity to participate in the race. For many of the places along the way, the Iditarod is the biggest event of the year, because after the end of the Alaskan gold rush they are practically abandoned except for a few indigenous people .
The northern route leads via Cripple to Ruby on the Yukon River . Here, too, the best times are long gone. In 2007, only 169 people lived here, compared to almost 3,000 at the height of the early 20th century.
The southern route passes the ghost town of Iditarod and then continues through Shageluk , Anvik and Grayling to Eagle Island .
The route leads here over long stretches along the Yukon and also on it. Again the mushers are troubled by the icy winds. To make matters worse, they are already suffering from lack of sleep and the route is very monotonous.
The routes finally meet again in Kaltag . Off we go through the Kaltag Portage , a valley of the Unalakleet River , to Norton Sound .
Final sprint
| reunion |
|---|
| Kaltag to Unalakleet 90 mi (145 km) |
| Final sprint |
| Unalakleet to Shaktoolik 42 mi (68 km) |
| Shaktoolik to Koyuk 48 mi (77 km) |
| Koyuk to Elim 48 mi (77 km) |
| Elim to Golovin 28 mi (45 km) |
| Golovin to White Mountain 18 mi (29 km) |
| White Mountain to Safety 55 mi (89 km) |
| Safety to Nome 22 mi (35 km) |
| target |
| Southern route: 1,131 mi (1,820 km) |
| Northern distance: 1,112 mi (1,790 km) |
While the last section was rarely decisive in the previous Iditarod events, because the race was usually already decided here, it has now become a final sprint. The route is now largely flat and the teams are driving in parts on the pack ice off the coast.
The route leads over Unalakleet , Shaktoolik , Koyuk , Elim and Golovin to White Mountain . There the teams have to take another break of at least eight hours before they can set off for the final sprint to Nome.
This last section from White Mountain via Safety to the finish in Nome is the actual final spurt of the race. Although times usually have to be given in days and hours rather than minutes and seconds, the fastest teams since the 1990s are often only a few minutes apart. It happened that the runner-up only had to admit defeat by a second.
The finish line of the race is the Red "Fox" Olson Trail Monument , also called burled arch , in Nome.
Fairbanks route
In 2003 and 2015, those responsible decided that the race would take place on the so-called Fairbanks route . After the ceremonial start in Anchorage, the race does not begin in Willow as usual , but in Fairbanks . This is because there is not enough snow on some of the sections to the south. The route thus follows the desperate race to contain the diphtheria epidemic in Nome of 1925 for most of the route .
Attendees
Every year just over 50 mushers take part in the Iditarod. Most of them live and live in Alaska, a few come from the southern states , from Canada or from other countries. Many of them also work with sled dogs , have their own breeding program or teach dog sledding . Only experienced sled dog handlers are allowed to participate. The minimum requirement for first-time participation is participation in the Yukon Quest or in two other races with a total of at least 500 miles.
The entry fee is $ 3000 (2013), plus all expenses for travel, accommodation and equipment.
dogs
In addition to the traditional Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky breeds, Alaskan Huskies are often used as sled dogs for long-distance races like the Iditarod . The latter includes all mixed forms of the former, which are also crossed with other breeds in order to improve certain characteristics. The sled dogs have to survive the great cold unscathed and outdoors, which is an essential characteristic of the Alaskan Malamute. In order to increase speed and endurance, hunting dogs and shepherds are crossed. Crossbreeds of wolves also occur, such wolfhounds are very persistent and strong.
List of winners
.jpg)
| year | Country | Musher | Lead dog (s) | time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 |
|
Dick Wilmarth | Hotfoot | 20 T. 00:49:41 |
| 1974 |
|
Carl Huntington | Nugget | 20 T. 15:02:07 |
| 1975 |
|
Emmitt Peters | Nugget & Digger | 14 T. 14:43:45 |
| 1976 |
|
Gerald Riley | Puppy & Sugar | 18 T. 22:58:17 |
| 1977 |
|
Rick Swenson | Andy & Old Buddy | 16 T. 16:27:13 |
| 1978 |
|
Dick Mackey | Skipper & Shrew | 14 T. 18:52:24 |
| 1979 |
|
Rick Swenson | Andy & Old Buddy | 15 T. 10:37:47 |
| 1980 |
|
Joe May | Wilbur & Cora Gray | 14 T. 07:11:51 |
| 1981 |
|
Rick Swenson | Andy & Slick | 12 T. 08:45:02 |
| 1982 |
|
Rick Swenson | Andy | 16 T. 04:40:10 |
| 1983 |
|
Rick Mackey | Preacher & Jody | 12 T. 14:10:44 |
| 1984 |
|
Dean Osmar | Red & Bullet | 12 T. 15:07:33 |
| 1985 |
|
Libby Riddles | Axle & Dugan | 18 T. 00:20:17 |
| 1986 |
|
Susan Butcher | Granite & Mattie | 11 T. 15:06:00 |
| 1987 |
|
Susan Butcher | Granite & Mattie | 11 T. 02:05:13 |
| 1988 |
|
Susan Butcher | Granite & Tolstoy | 11 T. 11:41:40 |
| 1989 |
|
Joe Runyan | Rambo & Ferlin the Husky | 11 T. 05:24:34 |
| 1990 |
|
Susan Butcher | Sluggo & Lightning | 11 T. 01:53:23 |
| 1991 |
|
Rick Swenson | Goose | 12 T. 16:34:39 |
| 1992 |
|
Martin Buser | Tyrone & D2 | 10 T. 19:17:15 |
| 1993 |
|
Jeff King | Herbie & Kitty | 10 T. 15:38:15 |
| 1994 |
|
Martin Buser | D2 & Dave | 10 T. 13:05:39 |
| 1995 |
|
Doug Swingley | Vic & Elmer | 10 T. 13:02:39 |
| 1996 |
|
Jeff King | Jake & Booster | 9 T. 05:43:13 |
| 1997 |
|
Martin Buser | Blondie & Fearless | 9 T. 08:30:45 |
| 1998 |
|
Jeff King | Red & Jenna | 9 T. 05:52:26 |
| 1999 |
|
Doug Swingley | Stormy, Cola & Elmer | 9 T. 14:31:07 |
| 2000 |
|
Doug Swingley | Stormy & Cola | 9 T. 00:58:06 |
| 2001 |
|
Doug Swingley | Stormy & Peppy | 9 T. 19:55:50 |
| 2002 |
|
Martin Buser | Bronson | 8 T. 22:46:02 |
| 2003 |
|
Robert Sørlie | tip | 9 T. 15:47:36 |
| 2004 |
|
Mitch Seavey | Tread | 9 T. 12:20:22 |
| 2005 |
|
Robert Sørlie | Sox & Blue | 9 T. 18:39:30 |
| 2006 |
|
Jeff King | Salem & Bronte | 9 T. 11:11:36 |
| 2007 |
|
Lance Mackey | Larry & Lippy | 9 T. 05:08:41 |
| 2008 |
|
Lance Mackey | Larry & Hobo | 9 T. 11:46:48 |
| 2009 |
|
Lance Mackey | Larry & Maple | 9 T. 21:38:46 |
| 2010 |
|
Lance Mackey | Maple | 8 T. 23:59:09 |
| 2011 |
|
John Baker | Velvet & Snickers | 8 T. 18:46:39 |
| 2012 |
|
Dallas Seavey | Guinness & Diesel | 9 T. 04:29:26 |
| 2013 |
|
Mitch Seavey | Tanner & Taurus | 9 T. 07:39:56 |
| 2014 |
|
Dallas Seavey | Beetle & Reef | 8 T. 13:04:19 |
| 2015 |
|
Dallas Seavey | Reece & Hero | 8 T. 18:13:06 |
| 2016 |
|
Dallas Seavey | Reece & Hero | 8 T. 11:20:16 |
| 2017 |
|
Mitch Seavey | Pilot & Crisp | 8 T. 03:40:13 |
| 2018 |
|
Joar Leifseth Ulsom | Russians & Olive | 9 T. 12:00:00 |
| 2019 |
|
Pete Kaiser | Marrow & Lucy | 9 T. 12:39:06 |
| 2020 |
|
Thomas Waerner | ? | 9 T. 10:37:47 |
literature
- Gary Paulsen: Iditarod. The toughest dog sled race in the world (OT: Winterdance. The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod ). Piper, Munich and Zurich 2004, ISBN 3-492-22910-7
- Gay and Lane Salisbury: Northwest to Nome (OT: The Cruellest Miles ). Bvt Berliner Taschenbuch Verlag 2004, ISBN 978-3-8333-0308-1
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Bernd Steinle: Eight days, three hours, 40 minutes. In: FAZ.net . March 16, 2017, accessed October 13, 2018 .
- ↑ http://iditarod.com/race-map/
- ↑ Brian Phillips: in the Great Alone ( Memento of the original from September 28, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . ESPN Grantland, April 24, 2013
- ↑ US Congress: Steering Spotlight: Chief Mike Williams, Yupiit Nation - See more at: http://www.dsoc.senate.gov/2013/09/18/steering-spotlight-chief-mike-williams-yupiit-nation/ # sthash.uTFmHbOR.dpuf , September 18, 2013
- ^ The Atlantic: When Global Warming Kills Your God , June 3, 2014
- ↑ a b c 2013 Iditarod Rules. (PDF; 332 kB) Retrieved September 17, 2012 .
- ↑ Lew Freedman, DeeDee Jonrowe: Iditarod Dreams . Epicenter Press, Seattle 1995, ISBN 0-945397-29-1 , p. 20.
- ↑ Eye on the Trail: Kaiser Iditarod XLVII Champion . iditarod.com. March 13, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
