Iditarod Questions (Fairbanks, Bethel, Nome: rent, work, art)

[SeeBee]

I became interested in the Iditarod, mostly because of dog training and handling, and have been following this year's progress. I used to work with a man whose dad was one of the communications experts for the Iditarod, although this was some years ago.

It seems as though if a musher doesn't have a big money-backer they kind of get lost in the shuffle - not nearly as much press. Does anyone know of any mushers who've had to struggle to be able to compete? And who have been successful, not necessarily winning but at least completing the race? (I mean struggle financially and with other types of support throughout the year).

Any particular favorites you'd like to see win, and why?

Thought someone up there (as opposed to 'down here' in the Northwest) might have more of an insight than what I can gather from web sites and newspapers. Thanks~~~

[warptman]

Everyone that is in the race started low on the totem pole. Even the top runners, they've all had to start on their own or were handlers on a big team. No one starts from scratch and thinks they'll become a winner the first time out. Even now if you win the race, all the money they win will go back to the dogs, literally. They don't get rich anymore.

[Xa'at]

I'm rooting for Rachel Scdoris! Gotta be the bravest person out there.

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

I'm rooting for Rachel Scdoris! Gotta be the bravest person out there.

-- The Official Rachael Scdoris Website --

[SeeBee]

Warptman, thanks. It's probably more of a level playing field than I realize. I don't think anyone exactly gets rich ($70,000 and a couple of endorsements doesn't really go very far, does it?), but if they don't have a big sponsor, how on earth can they afford to keep and race dogs? Maybe some of them have lived that life all of their lives, I don't know.

BTW, what I know about the non-tourist Alaska, I know from reading this site...I've never been there, would love to visit some day, but not likely to happen anytime soon! (Like the joke goes, what I don't know could fill a book!).

Checked out Scdoris' website, not a lot of current info on it. Apparently, you have to pay Cabela's to get the most current standings and news...so I just wait to read it in next day's news.

I admire anyone - but especially people who have a harder time of making ends meet - who devotes their life to their dogs, and just to be able to run these races. Got to admire that spirit, win or lose...

[snowpuppy]

If you haven't already, you can register at the Iditarod.com site....just enter your email address. That will get you to the "current standings" board. From there, you can click on any musher's name and get a bio plus who their sponsors are which gives you an idea of who really needed the money to get there!
Your comment re: "lost in the shuffle" was right on. Last year when the mushers came through the McGrath checkpoint, the press coverage was huge for the big name mushers. Once they moved on, so did the press and the poor "unknowns" came in to no press attention. We made sure though, that we were there at the checkpoint clapping and cheering them on, and if they stayed, made sure they were well fed and made to feel special. After all, they WERE special, as all of the mushers are!

[warptman]

Every January here in Bethel, they hold a Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race. All the big mushers come here and race it. They say whoever wins the Kusko will go on to win the Iditarod. The racers love it here, it is one of the most toughest mid distance races in the state. Mitch Seavey won this years race, it was a wet and wild race. They left in perfect conditions and came back swimming in overflow and melted snow, deep standing water on the river. A bunch of people swamped their snowmobiles in the water and the last two racers had to wait until the weather got colder to finish. They finished four days after the winner.

Kuskokwim300 if you want more information on the race we have here and the smaller races throughout the year.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by warptman

Every January here in Bethel, they hold a Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race. All the big mushers come here and race it. They say whoever wins the Kusko will go on to win the Iditarod. The racers love it here, it is one of the most toughest mid distance races in the state. Mitch Seavey won this years race, it was a wet and wild race. They left in perfect conditions and came back swimming in overflow and melted snow, deep standing water on the river. A bunch of people swamped their snowmobiles in the water and the last two racers had to wait until the weather got colder to finish. They finished four days after the winner.

Kuskokwim300 if you want more information on the race we have here and the smaller races throughout the year.

Mackey has won the Yukon quest several times, and then both the Quest and the Iditarod last year. He is in front this year, already out of Rubi.

[SeeBee]

Ok, well thanks for all the info. I checked several of the mushers' bios, and found a way to watch the race in real-time on Ionearth without logging on (or paying to be a Cabela "Insider!"). Went to musher John Baker's website, and directed to Ionearth from there. It's pretty cool to watch as the standings change.

Does anybody have suggestions for smaller towns to visit around September, or so? I don't mind cold weather and snow, but have had enough of rain/grey days. I've been looking at other threads, and boy, do you folks have an awful lot of people who want to move up there because "it's beautfiul" and they're looking for an "adventure"...I'd love to see the countryside, but have had enough adventure in my life. Any suggestions for small towns that are not too terribly inundated with tourists?

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by SeeBee

Does anybody have suggestions for smaller towns to visit around September, or so? I don't mind cold weather and snow, but have had enough of rain/grey days. I've been looking at other threads, and boy, do you folks have an awful lot of people who want to move up there because "it's beautfiul" and they're looking for an "adventure"...I'd love to see the countryside, but have had enough adventure in my life. Any suggestions for small towns that are not too terribly inundated with tourists?

Check out some of the small towns around Fairbanks. It's gonna be cold up there, but not as grey as southeast and parts of south central.
If you really dislike tourists, then the western towns are worth looking at- Nome, Kotzebue, Bethel, even out in the Aleutians.