Seventeen Iditarods in the making: John Baker is Champion

Long time Iditarod Veteran John Baker saw his dreams turn to reality when he rode into Nome at 9:46 this morning. He is only the second Native Alaskan musher to win the very Alaskan race (the first was Emmitt Peters in 1975) and is the first Eskimo musher to win. The Kotzebue musher has been a fan and musher favorite for years, and even second place Ramey Smith was heard saying "If I had to lose, I'd want it to be to [John]." He's the every musher, a humble, soft spoken, great guy. Who doesn't want the good guy to win? Not only did Baker defy the odds to win, he shattered Martin Buser's fastest time record.

Baker was met by Elders of his community as well as his wife and children. He pulled his wife and daughter into an embrace first off, and his wife sobbed tears of joy. Baker was all business, and almost stoic, as the officials went over his team and his sled checking off the required gear and care. With the signing of his last sheet, Baker was announced as the Iditarod Champion 2011. The Crowd errupted again in cheers (Bruce Lee commented that it was the largest ovation of any musher he could remember). John was a picture of grace and humility as he was pulled in all different directions for pictures, awards, and speeches.

Ramey Smith was second coming in about an hour after Baker's historic win, and is happy he'll get to have a real night's sleep. Hans Gatt came soon after, and Dallas Seavey was fourth. More and more are spilling in, in the fastest run Iditarod to date.

Mitch Seavey joins Iditarod Insider team

2004 Iditarod Champion - and former competitor in this year's race - Mitch Seavey has joined up with the Iditarod Insider to finish out this year's race adding his "expert analysis" to an already great team of former racers keeping fans updated throughout the days of the race.

Seavey injured his hand in the Ophir checkpoint and was flown to Anchorage for surgery earlier this week. Race officials had to withdraw the musher from competition. After a successful surgery Mitch flew up in time to see the leaders pull into Unalakleet. Seavey says the top six teams look great, and he's excited to be watching the action.

If you haven't already, I suggest buying into the Iditarod Insider. They have great videos, access to the GPS tracker, and live coverage of the finish.

Swenson's Records Safe For Another Year

John Baker at the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod 39
Saturday, March 5, 2011

Unless a huge shake up happens in the next day and a half - very unlikely - Rick Swenson's records of youngest winner and 5 wins are still his and only his. Kotzebue musher John Baker is solidly in the lead. He's a "hometown hero", and musher/fan favorite. He's plugged away at this moment for years, and quite possibly would have won last year had he not, in his sleep deprived thoughts, believed he'd made a wrong turn on his way to the halfway point of Cripple. (Dallas Seavey was on his tail and passed him and took away the $3,000 in gold nuggets.)

Lance Mackey has all but given up, telling the press that there's no way he's going to hit five. We've heard this whole humilty speech from the Last Chance kennel before, but this time he seems to mean it. Mackey is hovering down in the 6-10th position fighting off Dallas Seavey and Martin Buser for a top ten finish.

Ramey Smyth and Sebastian Schnuelle have been quoted this morning as saying they can't catch, much less keep up, with Baker's team. Though, they're still in the hunt along with Hans Gatt and Hugh Neff - and a surprise, Reddington, Jr.! The race isn't over, but the top six are never won's in the Last Great Race (though they are far from rookies, all have impressive placements in their careers).

Anyone else think Swenson's breathing a huge sigh of relief? Still the most titles and records held. Can Buser's time record be beaten, though?

Team Jamaica scratches in Anvik

Jamaican musher, Newton Marshall, scratched this afternoon in Anvik stating he was concerned for the wellfare of his dogs. Newton had 11 dogs on his team when he scratched and stated that some were showing signs of illness. Marshall is an Iditarod veteran, having finished his first race last year, and has been mentored by Lance Mackey. One of Marshall's biggest boosters is singing legend, Jimmy Buffett. Yes, THAT Jimmy Buffett.
Newton is an Iditarod fan favorite, many citing the Disney movie "Cool Runnings" when speaking about the musher. In fact just last year I was saying Disney needed to make a sequel. Instead of an Olympic Bobsled team, the movie would focus on an Iditarod Sled Dog team. But I digress.


In other race news, John Baker still has a substantial lead heading towards Unalakleet (the checkpoint where Mackey normally makes his gigantic move and takes over the lead). Considering Baker's a favorite of Iditarod experts and followers, this has been an exciting twist into this year's race. It's still anyone's game at this point with at least 8 teams vying for - and able to pull off - a win.

Dallas Seavey and Martin Buser are neck and neck at this point at tenth place. According to the GPS tracker Dallas was set to pass Martin about five minutes ago. This race is anything but boring.

Mitch Seavey out of the Iditarod

Mitch Seavey at the Ceremonial Start of
Iditarod 39, March 5, 2011

By now everyone's heard the news as it happened early thursday morning, but Mitch Seavey was taken out of the race by the Race Marshal due to a severe injury to Seavey's right index finger. According to a statement provided by Seavey's family, Mitch was using a "poorly constructed" knife to cut a tie on a bale of straw when it snapped shut cutting his finger at the first knuckle. Seavey was declared withdrawl by Race Marshal Nordman around 4:17am Thursday March 10. As competitive as he is, Seavey wanted to continue racing, but understood and agreed with Nordman - and the vet team that patched him up - that it was in his best interest to withdraw and head to Anchorage for Surgery.

The surgery was successful, and Mitch was able to keep his finger, and, through a lot of PT, should be able to regain some use out of the digit. From the sound of the wound, it sounds like Mitch wouldn't have had enough strength to properly care for his dogs were he allowed to run. It was a good call on Nordman's part, and I'm glad Mitch ultimately agreed with the decision.

Mitch was carrying the ashes of his friend and long time Kennel Manager Scott Hagen's ashes. Hagen passed away just a week before the Iditarod began, and the family has been hit hard with the sudden loss. Mitch passed the ashes off to son (and fellow racer) Dallas Seavey and "told him to get the job done," according to a posting that Danny Seavey - Mitch's eldest - wrote on Facebook late Thursday evening.

Here's hoping Mitch a speedy recovery and that we'll see him out on the trail with his team soon!


In Iditarod news, John Baker is now the leader, just as he planned, on the Yukon. He's taken his 8 hours, and is keeping Hugh Neff about a mile behind him. Mackey is a somewhat distant third, he's down to 9 dogs with the possibility of dropping to 8. Mushers need only 6 to finish in Nome. Dallas Seavey is hovering around 10th (his highest finish was 6th two years ago).

Iditarod 39: Taking Twenty-four

Sunday to now has been non-stop action and surprise in this year's iditarod. Teams that were deemed the strongest quickly fell to the back of the pack, with some favorites to win suggesting they might end up scratching. Mitch Seavey was reportedly planning to scratch on Monday, but thankfully decided against it. He's in Takotna sitting in tenth place and apparently taking his 24 hour layover.

Reader (and blogger) favorite Dallas Seavey is currently in 13th after a slow start. He made a jump several checkpoints back, but hasn't truly caught the leaders yet.

The surprising leader is four time champion Martin Buser. Once again, the Happy Trails Kennel is benefitting from the warmer temps, and hard packed, fast trail. It also helps that Martin's team was far away from the Yukon Quest where, apparently, many teams have picked up a strain of kennel cough which has slowed their teams considerably.

After announcing he was going to push for five, Lance has backed off of that statement saying he'll be lucky to stay top ten this year. He's having issues with his team being lethargic. But, I seem to recall him feeling worried about a sickly team about this time last year. Granted, he didn't drop as many last year as he has here (at the moment he's reading at 12 dogs, but is reportedly planning to drop more by the time he leaves the checkpoint tonight after taking his 24 hour layover).

Rick Swenson is likely to see his five time championship record tied by either Buser or Mackey, and it looks like there's very little chance of him increasing his record to six as he suffered a broken collar bone going through the Dalzell Gorge earlier this week. He decided against scratching as, all things considered, he's feeling pretty good. Rick was quoted as saying that as long as he keeps his arm low and doesn't extend it too far out he doesn't feel pain.

Not all of the teams have decided to take their layover in Takotna (a favorite among mushers because of the food - famous for their Iditarod pies and hospitality, who wouldn't want to stay there!) and several have pushed on to Ophir and the halfway point of Iditarod.

We're just minutes away from Martin Buser leaving Takotna (it took me a while to focus on this apparently)! Let the real race begin! Mush on!

(for more updates follow me on twitter! http://www.twitter.com/tonichelleak )

Bib Numbers Released

With the "small" number of 62 mushers in this years race, it looks like the bib selection went quicker than in years past. In fact, ITC has already posted the official numbers of each team on the website! I don't recall that happening so fast before. The Iditarod has been in competition with the Yukon Quest for the last few years now for fans/popularity. The ITC has been criticized for not utilizing the media (all forms) correctly. Being traditional and proud of the Iditarod I disagree. They work hard and are doing a fantastic job. The whiners would still complain even if the ITC did everything just like the Quest.

But, I digress.

The bib listing is as follows:

Bib #	Last Name	First Name	Sex	City	State	Country	Status
2	Jonrowe	DeeDee	F	Willow	AK	USA	Veteran
3	Redington Jr	Ray	M	Wasilla	AK	USA	Veteran
4	Herbst	Trent	M	Ketchum	ID	USA	Veteran
5	Moore	Allen	M	Two Rivers	AK	USA	Veteran
6	Marshall	Newton	M	St. Anne		JAMAICA	Veteran
7	Berington	Kristy	F	Kasilof	AK	USA	Veteran
8	Hoffman	Kris	M	Steamboat Springs	CO	USA	Rookie
9	DeNure	Zoya	F	Gakona	AK	USA	Veteran
10	Bundtzen	Robert	M	Anchorage	AK	USA	Veteran
11	Buser	Martin	M	Big Lake	AK	USA	Veteran
12	Owens	Melissa	F	Nome	AK	USA	Veteran
13	Linton	Bruce	M	Kasilof	AK	USA	Veteran
14	Petit	Nicolas	M	Girdwood	AK		Rookie
15	Storey	Bob	M	Aukland		NEW ZEALAND	Rookie
16	Bailey	Jodi	F	Chatanika	AK	USA	Rookie
17	Mackey	Lance	M	Fairbanks	AK	USA	Veteran
18	Zirkle	Aliy	F	Two Rivers	AK	USA	Veteran
19	Taggart	Angie	F	Ketchkan	AK	USA	Rookie
20	Griffin	Kelley	F	Wasilla	AK	USA	Veteran
21	Seavey	Dallas	M	Willow	AK	USA	Veteran
22	Kaltenborn	Magnus	M	Lillehammer		NORWAY	Rookie
23	Gatt	Hans	M	Whitehorse	YT	CANADA	Veteran
24	Snodgrass	Billy	M	DuBois	WY	USA	Veteran
25	Thurston	Tom	M	Oak Creek	CO	USA	Veteran
26	Halverson	Ellen	F	Wasilla	AK	USA	Veteran
27	Santos	Mike	M	Cantwell	AK	USA	Rookie
28	Seavey	Mitch	M	Seward	AK	USA	Veteran
29	Currier	Judy	F	Fairbanks	AK	USA	Veteran
30	Smyth	Ramey	M	Willow	AK	USA	Veteran
31	Schnuelle	Sebastian	M	Whitehorse	YT	CANADA	Veteran
32	Janssen	Scott	M	Anchorage	AK	USA	Rookie
33	Willomitzer	Gerry	M	Whitehorse	YT	CANADA	Veteran
34	Gebhardt	Paul	M	Kasilof	AK	USA	Veteran
35	Neff	Hugh	M	Tok	AK	USA	Veteran
36	Hendricks	Jessica	F	Two Rivers	AK	USA	Veteran
37	Hendrickson	Karin	F	Willow	AK	USA	Veteran
38	McDonald	Wattie	M	Stonehaven	Scotland	UK	Veteran
39	Phillips	Michelle	F	Tagish	YT	CANADA	Veteran
40	Jones	G.B.	M	Wasilla	AK	USA	Veteran
41	Williams, Jr.	Michael	M	Akiak	AK	USA	Veteran
42	Clarke	Lachlan	M	Buena Vista	CO	USA	Veteran
43	Anderson	Ken	M	Fairbanks	AK	USA	Veteran
44	Norden	Brennan	M	Kasilof	AK	USA	Rookie
45	Haltmann	Sven	M	Fairbanks	AK	USA	Veteran
46	Johnson	Paul	M	Unalakleet	AK	USA	Veteran
47	Barnum	Kirk	M	Grangeville	ID	USA	Veteran
48	Carter	Cain	M	Fairbanks	AK	USA	Rookie
49	Swenson	Rick	M	Two Rivers	AK	USA	Veteran
50	Siirtola	Heather	F	Talkeetna	AK	USA	Veteran
51	Nelson	Robert	M	Kotzebue	AK	USA	Veteran
52	Lindner	Sonny	M	Two Rivers	AK	USA	Veteran
53	Baker	John	M	Kotzebue	AK	USA	Veteran
54	Kaiser	Peter	M	Bethel	AK	USA	Veteran
55	Maixner	Kelly	M	Big Lake	AK	USA	Rookie
56	Stielstra	Ed	M	McMillan	MI	USA	Veteran
57	Bardoner	James	M	Signal Mountain	TN	USA	Rookie
58	Royer	Jessie	F	Fairbanks	AK	USA	Veteran
59	Smyth	Cim	M	Big Lake	AK	USA	Veteran
60	Giblin	Matt	M	Juneau	AK	USA	Veteran
61	Hayashida	Matt	M	Willow	AK	USA	Veteran
62	Sousa	Gerald	M	Talkeetna	AK	USA	Veteran
63	Savidis	Justin	M	Willow	AK	USA	Rookie

30 Days of Disney: Day Nineteen

Day 19: Least Favorite Pixar Film
Bug's Life. Like I said, this is easier than picking my favorite. I don't know what it is about Bug's Life that doesn't appeal to me. It's cute, there are some great lines and scenes, but over all it's just blah. But put me in teh parks and one of the first things I look for is It's Tough to Be a Bug. Go figure.

30 Days of Disney: Day Eighteen

Day 18: Favorite Pixar Film
Oooo, this is tough. it's easier for me to pick my least favorite. I'd have to go with... well... maybe... I don't know... ummmmmm... Toy Story 2. It's an amazing sequel, and the only reason I don't choose #3, which is the most brilliant of the trilogy, is because it made me cry and I hate that. I don't like the ending because it's so real to life. It's just wrong. I like to escape in a Pixar or Disney film, not be reminded I'm an adult and I have to let go. It is almost an Anti-Disney film! haha!

Toy Story was very much a part of my childhood. I remember watching the first one and loving it, and by the time the second came out I was bursting to see it. Granted they both came out during the Baptist Boycott against Disney, so I didn't see either in theatres, but I did see them when friends would bring them over (hey none of our money went to the Mouse at that time, so it counts.)

Thankfully that boycott is done and over with, and I happily own the entire Pixar collection (and I'm slowly but surely making up for lost time Disney Animation wise).

So for today, Toy Story 2 is my favorite. Tomorrow it will probably be Cars or Up or Finding Nemo... or Monsters Inc... or Wall-E... oy.

30 Days of Disney: Day Seventeen

Day 17: Least Favorite Classic.

I'm not a fan of the Little Mermaid, I love teh music and Prince Eric is a decent prince, but over all I just can't get into teh storyline and find the animation to be.... well... not up to par with the princess movies then or since (though Aladdin has it's moments of shoddy animation as well. Stupid computers).

Mainly, though, I don't like the Princess Ariel. She's a spoiled brat who is defiant in a very wrong way. It's not like her father is some evil stepfather who locks her away, and his concern is very much real. But what do I know. I'm a Daddy's Girl who can't stand disappointing her best friend.

But, as I said, I LOVE the music. Under The Sea, Kiss the Girl, Le Poisons... so much fun!