Bogieblog

Girl Having Fun

Thanks to Ruth for posting this. And by the way, while watching, turn on the speakers - the music goes well with the video!

 

Iditarod Aftermath

The Iditarod has been won, with the top five finishers of: Mitch Seavy, Ally Zirkle, Jeff King, Dallas Seavy and Ray Reddington Jr. It looked to be an exciting race as it was the 4th closest finish in history. Just as a side note, and in case you haven't read comments on other posts, Mitch is the oldest driver to ever win the Iditarod (at 53 yrs old). This is the second time Ally has come in second - she came in second last year. And, by the way, she is a new Hampshire native (who relocated to Alaska). Jeff King is even older than Seavy, and has won the Iditarod multiple times. Dallas Seavy is the son of Mitch, and he was as the youngest to ever win in last year's race.

The Iditarod is not over, there are still two teams running: Bob Chlupach is at White Mountain and Christine Roalofs (rookie) is at Elim. The race is not over until everyone has either finished or scratched. There is a great celebration when the last team rolls in and they get the Red Latern award.

There are still many interesting stories to read. There is the insider story of dropped dogs (dogs that are sick, injured, or just don't want to run any more are left at checkpoints). There is the story of the all white dog team, Lanier's Northern Whites, fielded by a guy that has run 16 Iditarod's, and he has run a race in every decade that the Iditarod has been run in. There are pictures from the Finish Line.

From other sources (Alaska Daily News), there are other stories: The Long Journey of May, a dog that got loose and retraced the trail and was found several hundred miles from where she got loose - amazingly in fairly good condition. There is the story of Cym Smith, who had to stop shortly before the end of the race because his lead dog got confused - he replaced the lead dog with his oldest and slowest dog, and caught up to Paul Gephardt who had passed him while the lead dog change was taking place.

Lots of good stories and pictures galore at both sites, so go take a look and marvel at the athletes and their feats.

2013 Iditarod

Just got a chance to look at the standings so far in the Iditarod. Many familiar names in the front, and a rookie is in 6th. from places 1-12:

1. Mitch Seavy
2. Aaron Burmeister
3. Aliy Zerkle
4. Martin Buser
5. Jake Berkowitz
6. Joar Liefseth Olsum Jr, (Rookie)
7. Dallas Seavy
8. Sonny Lidner
9. Ray Reddington Jr
10. Jessie Royer
11. DeeDee Jonrow
12. Jeff King

Looks like all the field has taken the mandatory 24 hour layover, and the majority have taken the 8 hour mandatory (with a mandatory layover at White Mountain still to come). The top two have made it to Unalakleet, which is about 200 miles from White Mountain, with the rest having left Kaltag - just under 300 miles from WM.

The Alaska Daily News also carries many stories from this years Iditarod.

Looks like a Tuesday finish, althought it all depends upon weather conditions, and of course the dogs and mushers.

Twenty Seven Days

Twenty seven more days until the Last Great Race. Unfortunately with my work schedule (or lack of time at home due to work), I will not be able to provide race coverage as I have in previous years. I'm sure the racers won't notice though.

So far it looks like a group of 89 racers, with 16 women in the running - although that is subject ot change. The canine reporters are already putting up posts about subjects such as keeping healthy, happy dogs - and one of the reporters, Gypsy, is from New Hampshire. Hey, the canine reporters have already taught me something - one of the dogs that I thought was a Siberian-type puppy is actually a full grown Alaskan Klee Kai.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to this year's race.

A Dog and His Ride

Got this from Wichi Dude

Satan's War got a Snowball's Chance

When the Kentucky Derby comes around, as it did last Saturday (I actually got to watch it live - very exciting race), stories about the horses and decendants of past champions get highlighted in the press. One such story is of a former race horse, a grandson of Secretariat, who sustained a knee injury in the early 90's. He had raced for three years before the injury.

Some former race horses are put out for breeding, some are re-purposed as hunter/jumpers. Some are sold at auction and find homes with the general public and others have an unfortunate end. However, Satan's War was put to work at the New Orleans police force (his street name is a more public-friendly Snowball). He has been on the job for 20 years, putting him at 25-26, a pretty ripe age for a horse. He has been semi-retired and now works parades, school functions and other special events.

He still looks magnificent running around in the field (see video in the story). We should all do so well in our old ages.

Almost There

Although the Iditarod isn't quite over yet,there are still two teams racing, I would like to congratulate everyone who entered the race - just starting the race takes more courage, strength, and determination than most (even me) can imagine.

The top finishers were:

1. Dallas Seavey
2. Aliy Zirkle,
3. Ramey Smyth,
4. Aaron Burmeister,
5. Peter Kaiser,
6. Ray Reddington Jr,
7. Mitch Seavey,
8. Michael Williams Jr.,
9. John Baker,
10. DeeDee Jonrowe.We

We are still waiting to find out who will win the Red Latern award (last racer in).

Iditarod 2012 Update

Jeff King, a yearly threat to win, has scratched from the Iditarod. Aliy Zirkle, a New Hampshire native, is currently in second, behind Dallas Seavy. Looks like a different generation of dog sledders is trying to kick some butt.

Of course, there are still some miles to go, so it is still anybody's race.

As usual, besides the official Iditarod site, the Anchorage Daily News has lots of stories on the race.

It's a What?

A PSNH worker did a good dead the other day by breaking down the door to a burning house to allow the owner's pet dog escape.

When I read the name of the dog breed, I thought there must be some mistake. The story called the dog a Blackmouth Cur breed. I have never heard of a blackmouth cur, and looking at the picture I thought the dog looked somewhat like a boxer mix. I thought that either the owners were having fun with the reporter, or the owners had been taken for some cash when they got the dog.

However, upon further investigation, I found that there is indeed a Blackmouth Cur breed and it has been listed by the UKC since 1998.

Hu, learn something new everyday.

Interesting

I have become a research resource on sled dogs - given as an assignment by a Texas teacher. The teacher points to a post I did quite some time ago.

Found this little tidbit because my stats automatically loaded when I signed it=nto Typepad and I got curious as to why I was getting referals from Teacherweb.

Hey, and only 3 days until Iditarod 2012 starts!