Monday, March 24, 2008

New Video + Iditarod Epilogue

Old News:
March 18, 2008 at 9:15 am

2008 Iditarod Ends With 78 Official Finishers

The 2008 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officially ended at 8:36 on March 18th, 2008, when Auke Bay Alaska musher Deborah Bicknell (Bib #21) ended her journey under the Burled Arch in Nome Alaska with a breathtaking sunset at her back. The 62 year old musher made the trek from Willow to Nome in 15 days, 5 hours, 36 minutes and 12 seconds.

Bicknell was greeted by a large crowd of well wishers at the finish line including Loren Prosser Wells Fargo Bering Sea Community Bank President who awarded her with the highly coveted Wells Fargo Red All Lantern. Bicknell then ended the 2008 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race by blowing out the Widow’s Lamp, signifying that all mushers and their teams were safely off the Iditarod Trail.

Article from Iditarod Website under News

In all 18 mushers scratched this year, the last, just one check point out from the finish. Lance Mackey, this years winner, did the 1100 miles in 9 days 11 hoursThere is an interesting story on the youngest musher, Melissa Owens (who is just 5 days older than the youngest ever to run the Iditarod) at 18 years old she is a real tough woman, and has proved she is not a quitter. She placed 30th in the field of over 90 - the last paying position- and the realization of a dream for her. The prize money that is awarded to the top 30 finishers is pretty huge. Check out the purse details HERE.There was a pretty big raffle going on as well; Nancy Jenson of Petaluma, CA won the 2008 Dodge Ram Laramie “HEMI” 4×4 Quad Cab Pickup with Leather Package, 20″ Alloy Wheels & Tow Package from, Anchorage Chrysler Dodge . Way to take it for California. Go Nancy!I am sad to report that a total of 3 dogs died during the race; and one, Aries, was severely injured in a snow machine accident that also took the life of another dog. RIP : Zaster, Cargo and Lorne. Pictured below, Lorne and Aries before the crash. Aries, who is from the same kennels as Lorne, is now adapting to life with a paralyzed leg. Those two teams from Team JedEye; husband and wife; Blake and Jen (pictured below in a moment of connection) went on to finish the race, and earned the Siberian Record by recording the fastest time ever for an entire team of Siberian Huskies. Jen also earned the most inspirational musher. Inspirational indeed.Lots more news stories HERE
Team JedEye photos from their website , all the rest are from my good friend, JeffShultz.Our new youtube video 3.5 minutes...bring the popcorn!

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