The Iron Dog is the longest, toughest snowmobile race in the world. It is a grueling 2600 mile trip with a lot of hazards. Today the green flag dropped at 10:00 and the ceremonial start began. Once this was completed racers moved to Big Lake for the official start and the 29 race teams were released in two minute intervals. Each team is made up of two individuals and both racers must cross the finish line to earn a spot in race history. That said, I think we will be lucky if 20 of the teams finish the race. There have been years when less than 50% of the teams saw the checkered flag. These racers are in great physical condition, well practiced and among the best racers in the world. However, you can only stay on a hundred mile an hour bucking bull for so long, and one slight mistake, one failed mechanical part and a rider may not be able to finish the race.
The race trail is roughly the same trail as the Iditarod to Nome. At Nome racers will continue on Northeast to the Northwest Arctic region (Kotzebue area) and return to Wasilla. This year’s race will take racers through 21 rural Alaskan villages and I suspect the winner will finish the race in less than 60 hours on the trail. Godspeed and safe travels.
Live streaming is provided by South Anchorage HS at: www.irondog.or...
14 окт 2024