2005 Iditarod

The ceremonial start of the 33rd annual Iditarod dog sled race across the U.S. state of Alaska began in Anchorage on March 5, 2005 at 10 AM AKST (19:00 UTC), and restarted in Willow the next day at 2 PM (23:00 UTC). After covering 1,161 miles (1,868 km)http://www.iditarod.com/trailinfo/racemileage.php?id=3 of wilderness, musher Robert Sørlie, an airport firefighter from Norway, crossed the finish line under the "burled arch" in Nome on March 16 at 8:39 AM AKST (17:39 UTC). After taking care of his dogs, and an inspection to make sure all the mandatory equipment was in his sled, Sørlie was declared the winner by Race Marshal Mark Norman, with a time of 9 days, 18 hours, 39 minutes, and 31 seconds and won USD $72,066.67 and a new truck. When asked how it felt to win a second time, Sørlie said "it feels good, I'm ready for breakfast"http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=7924830, live on the Alaska superstation. His team of dogs averaged 4.65 mi/h (7.58 km/h). The Red Lantern in last was Phil Morgan, an Alaska Airlines pilot, and when he crossed the finish line on March 21 at 8:02 PM AKST (March 22, 5:02 UTC), the Widow's Lantern hanging on the burled arch was extinguished, which signalled the end of the race.

March 11: Yukon River

Shageluk:http://www.iditarod.com/raceupdates/racecheckpoint.php?id=38 Most of the other teams stopped at McGrath, Takotna, or Iditarod for their mandatory 24 hour layover, allowing Gebhardt to arrive at Shageluk more than 7 hours ahead of the next musher on March 11 at 2:45 AM. Gebhardt left 10 minutes later, followed by the top 10 within 19 hours, and the top 30 within 33 hours.

Related Topics:
Shageluk - March 11

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Anvik:http://www.iditarod.com/raceupdates/racecheckpoint.php?id=39 Gebhardt won the First Musher to Reach the Yukon Award when he arrived at Anvik on March 11 at 7:14 AM, and was served a 7-course meal prepared by a chef from the Millennium Hotel Anchorage. (pdf)http://www.ktuu.com/CMS/templates/master.asp?articleid=12403&zoneid=8 Sørlie retakes the lead when he departs at 9:31 PM. The top 10 are within just over 6 hours, and the top 30 within 19 hours. After his 24 hour rest, Gebhardt dropped to 15th place.

Related Topics:
Anvik - March 11

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Conditions were relatively good at this stage, but the highs remained above freezing. This favored teams trained in warmer areas, like Swingley from Montana, and Sørlie and Andersen from Norway.http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=575322 http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1110597565706 Some teams even faced rain on the way to Anvik.http://www.cabelasiditarod.com/coverage_2005/cov05_mar12_02.html Andersen breaks into the top 10, and remains there until at least Kaltag. He is at least 10 hours ahead of the next rookie, and is set to take the Rookie of the Year Award. Sørlie's nephew, he and may follow his uncle's pattern of placing in the top 10 in his first race.http://www.adn.com/iditarod/news/story/6261989p-6138756c.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mushers are required to stop at a checkpoint along the Yukon River before leaving the Interior, but only for 8 hours.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Charlie Boulding scratched at Anvik on March 12. Boulding is a former winner of the Yukon Quest (1991, 1993), and finished in the top 10 in eight of thirteen Iditarods, placing 3rd in 1998.(pdf) Boulding planned to retire this year. Bill Cotter scratched on March 13, because his team was sick.(pdf)

Related Topics:
March 12 - March 13

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~