Iditarod ceremonial start

[Blue_In_AK]

I'm only going to post a few of these since I'll be making a Smugmug gallery after we get back from Nome, but just to give you some flavor. For any of you who don't know, the Iditarod is the #1 long-distance sled dog race in the world, following the old Iditarod gold trail from Willow to Nome, a distance of about 1100 miles. The race was first run in 1973 and has become a major event bringing fans from all over the world. Just today we met a girl who came up from South Africa!


I'm not sure who this is, but I liked the interaction




This is four-time champion Jeff King


Lance Mackey hoping for his third win in a row. We just love this guy. He's got a great story which you can read here if you're interested. http://www.mackeyscomebackkennel.com/About.htm (Especially read the AP story after Lance's little self-introduction. He really has overcome amazing odds.)




Riding shotgun with Hans Gatt here is Newton Marshall, our first Jamaican musher, who just completed his first Yukon Quest 1000-mile sled dog race. He's not racing the Iditarod, but just riding here in the ceremonial run with Hans, who is his mentor.


Ooops....took that corner a little too tight.

[Eurobabe]

1. Thanks BLUE!! I always love your Iditarod shots!

The promise of Spring when you post these! BTW, we are still buried under about 10" of new fresh powder. Urge to ski is strong today. :hi:

[NV Whino]

2. Great shots as always, Blue

I look forward to the complete set.

[mth44sc]

3. I'm ready!!!

Great shots - especially the one of Mackey

For anyone interested - here's the TV schedule on Versus

http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/677/?UserDef=true&catID=76

[Blue_In_AK]

4. I got some great shots of Lance today.

He's such a charismatic guy ... everybody was trying to touch him as he made his way across the lake. The pictures are Lance and lots of hands. :rofl:

I took so many shots today. I had the AI Servo thingy going, so it was 9 to 12 shots of each team. I'm going to have to do some serious selection in organizing my gallery -- and that's not even counting Nome, which is going to be really fun. I'm getting excited.

[mth44sc]

5. I just know you'll let us know

when ya got 'em posted. In the mean time - I'll be reading...

http://www.adn.com/iditarod/

[SpookyCat]

6. Such beautiful dogs!

Can't wait to see the rest of the race!

Thanks Blue!

[Mira]

7. Just blows my mind. Thank you !