Smallest field in History this year but I am super stoked to be rooting on Kelly Maixner #23. Anybody else following the race this year. feel free to comment and/or add comentary!!

https://alaskapublic.org/2023/...-heres-what-to-know/

I will have to look to see if Jesse Holmes is in it. Might be his best chance for a win.

I was disappointed that there are no Seavey's racing this year for the first time in decades. Dan Seavey completed the first two Iditarod's. Mitch Seavey has completed over a dozen times, won 3x, and holds the record for being the oldest winner (57). During my 5 years in Alaska, I met Dallas Seavey (5 time winner) a handful of times including a 10-minute 1:1 chat in a bar.

Pretty cool that Kelly Maixner is running Dallas' dogs.

Looks like Jesse Holmes was pretty badly injured in Sept. while volunteering cleaning up storm damage on the western Alaskan coast in the town of Goloivin. He sustained serious injuries including a broken wrist, broken ribs and other internal injuries. Wish him well in his recovery.

Good luck to all the mushers and their teams.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Looks like Jesse Holmes was pretty badly injured in Sept. while volunteering cleaning up storm damage on the western Alaskan coast in the town of Goloivin. He sustained serious injuries including a broken wrist, broken ribs and other internal injuries. Wish him well in his recovery.
Good luck to all the mushers and their teams.

Looks like Holmes is in it and currently mixing it up in the front of the race

Those dogs are true athletes and the normal person has no idea how well they are monitored and receive any type of medical or physical care while out on the race trail.... 1978/1979 as a ham radio operator helped with radio traffic for the actual Iditirod race relaying information...Was living in the interior of Alaska at that time. Delta Junction/Ft. Greely and Fairbanks. .......... Trust me it is not a cake walk for any of those involved. .............. drill sgt.

The way the Seavey's have been attacked, I don't blame them one bit.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
The way the Seavey's have been attacked, I don't blame them one bit.

very true..Dallas is a great ambassador for the sport but they seem to slander him. Doesn't make sense to me but I'm not privy to the politics

I was at the start in Willow, yesterday. It's a great atmosphere.

Bruce

Thanks Ronin maybe someone can link a good website. I could not even find the participant list, doh.

With Jesse's injuries in Sept. I was shocked to see he was in the field. I will root for him.

Nice Bruce. That is very cool to be there for the start. Lucky you.

You can get information here, but be prepared for popups offering more coverage if you're willing to pay to be an Iditarod, "Insider". Also any Alaska news website will have Iditarod coverage.

https://iditarod.com/#

Bummed that I missed being at this year's race start. Was invited to be a dog handler again this year for the re-start in Willow. While I've missed being with 448 dogs this year, I've been at home taking care of the most important one. My own dog Bandit had surgery on Saturday so I've been taking care of him. Fortunately the volunteer coordinator was very understanding and I've already been invited back to be a handler for next year.

Last year I handled for Mitch Seavey's team in Willow and that was an incredible experience. Jeff Deeter from Black Spruce Kennels was in the paddock next to us and I got to meet him and some of his dogs. He's got an incredible dog named, The Wolf. He's like a mini Bandit in appearance and attitude. His wife KattiJo is running this year and The Wolf is on her team. So that's who I'm rooting for. They've got their own website and Facebook page. Their Facebook page has been great with KattiJo introducing the individual dogs on their team.

https://blacksprucedogsledding.com

https://www.facebook.com/blacksprucedogsledding

I saw the ceremonial start in Anchorage in 2006. Raised on Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, I was expecting matched teams of well-groomed huskies.

I understand the teams are well-trained and selected for courage and endurance but many looked as though the owner had picked up a dozen dogs at the animal shelter.

Current leaderboard

1. Holmes
2. Sass
3. Redington
4. Diehl
5. Maixner

all on the trail to McGrath!!!

Cool thanks all. Go Jesse!

Years ago meet Susan Butcher at a company event. Super nice woman - won the Iditirod race 4 times. A true down to earth person - very successful as a motivational speaker.

Been a crazy few days.. Sass had to scratch due to dental problems. Been a ton of lead changes. current leaders

1. Redington 352 till the finish
2. Deihl
3. Kaiser
4. Holmes
4. Maixner..although he hasn't had his mandatory 8 yet

Ryan Redington is the winner.

I am rooting for Kelly Maixner to keep his lead his 5th place but he must have had a technical difficulty as he has been moving really slow. had a 14 mile lead over Holmes and that has been cut to 4 miles.

A bit late but, was talking to my Alaska friend, who reminded of the feat at the most recent Iditarod. First time all the podium finishers were Alaskan natives.

1st Ryan Redington - Inupiaq
2nd Pete Kaiser - Yup'ik and 2019 winner
3rd Richie Diehl - Dena’ina Athabascan