2006 Iditarod

March 4: Ceremonial start

The ceremonial start of the 34th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race across the U.S. state of Alaska will begin in Anchorage on March 4, 2006. The winning musher is expected to arrive in Nome about 10 days later, after covering more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of wilderness.

Competitors

There are 83 mushers from many countries entered to race. The U.S. entries are made up of 51 Alaskans, including champions Martin Buser, Jeff King, Mitch Seavey, and Rick Swenson, as well as 23 mushers from the lower 48 states, including four-time champion Doug Swingley.

Legally blind musher Rachael Scdoris of Bend, Oregon, will be attempting the Iditarod for the second time, after scratching in Eagle Island last year. Her visual interpreter this year is Tim Osmar.

Gary Paulsen is returning this year as well, after withdrawing prior to the race last year.

Canada's best chance in the race comes from three-time Yukon Quest winner Hans Gatt. Gatt is joined by Karen Ramstead, the owner of the only all-Siberian Husky kennel in Canada, as well as Sebastian Schnuelle, and rookie Warren Palfrey.

Norway has three mushers in the race this year, the 2005 rookie of the year, Bjørnar Andersen, and newcomers Tore Albrigtsen and Tove Sørensen. 2005 champion Robert Sørlie is not racing this year

Fabrizio Lovati of Italy and Ben Valks of the Netherlands bring the European total to 5 mushers.

Route

Since 2006 is an even numbered year, the race will be following the northern route. The mushers will reach the Yukon River at the town of Ruby, and follow the river 146 miles to Kaltag. Prior to reaching Ruby and the Yukon River, the mushers will pass through the dangerous Alaska Range, where an avalanche claimed the life of Richard Strick Jr. in mid-February.

External links

Musher home pages