Small Roster to start Iditarod 2019 Musher Sign Ups

As always, the rain stayed away during the annual Iditarod Volunteer Appreciation BBQ and Musher Sign Ups. 28 mushers, all but one a rookie, made their intentions known at the Iditarod HQ. Three champions signed up, but at least five were on hand to greet fans and volunteers. Jeff King, Martin Buser, and reigning champion Joar Leifseth Ulsom will run for another championship... while Mitch Seavey held onto his entry waiting to see what the ITC planned to do about the controversial rule changes (specifically the gag rule, and how the "dead dog" rule was worded). 

The lone rookie is Blair Braverman of Wisconsin. If you're active on social media you probably recognize her name - she is the queen of "Musher Twitter" (I just officially crowned her). She and her husband Q flew up to sign up in person today, and while nervous the rookie was all smiles as she handed her paperwork to the ladies at the desk. Braverman plans to head to Alaska after the holidays to get in some training with the dogs. Blair is also an accomplished writer, writing for several publications and she has a best selling book!

I have quite a few pictures to go through, but I got home about an hour ago and I'm exhausted. We'll have more coverage tomorrow. You can always hop over to my twitter to see some of the high lights. I may have gone a little fan girl over Blair... and Mitch... but more photos of other mushers are coming. For now... Stitch the Pug is demanding we sleep.