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 9

When arguing for stricter emission limits during the debate over the "Clear Skies" bill, Senator Tom Carter (D-DE) used the northerly shift of the restart location as an example of global warming.http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=7854871 http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/29871/story.htm

Related Topics:
Bill - Senator - Tom Carter - Global warming

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Takotna:http://www.iditarod.com/raceupdates/racecheckpoint.php?id=35 Sørlie became the first to arrive at Takotna on March 9 at 0:42 AM, followed by Brooks, Jonrowe, and Ally Zirkle. Sørlie is the first to depart at 6:54 AM. The top 10 follow within 8 hours, and the top 30 within 28 hours.

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Andersen from Norway and Swingley from Montana begin traveling together. Andersen was Swingley's dog handler in 2000, after meeting at a Norway convention. Cliff Wang from Montana scratched at Takotna on March 11, citing concerns for his team after unseasonably warm weather in Montana impact their training. (pdf)

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Ophir:http://www.iditarod.com/raceupdates/racecheckpoint.php?id=36 Sørlie again was the first to arrive, on March 9 at 9:12 AM, followed by Buser, then Brooks. Sørlie departs 13 minutes later. The top 10 follow within 11 hours, and the top 30 within 22 hours.http://www.ktuu.com/CMS/templates/iditarod.asp?articleid=12371&zoneid=28 http://www.ktuu.com/CMS/templates/master.asp?articleid=12371&zoneid=8

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After leaving Ophir in 8th place, Zack Steer became the fifth musher to scratch when he returned on March 9

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for undisclosed personal reasons.(pdf). Steer's wife is pregnant and due later this monthhttp://www.canada.com/sports/story.html?id=2592489a-ff8f-41e1-aba9-802140c2c376. Scott Smith from Wyoming scratched at Ophir on March 12, citing concerns for his team which only had nine dogs left.(pdf).

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The trail between Ophir and Iditarod was in poor shape, and efforts to improve it were too late for the front runners.http://www.buserdog.com/buserdog/

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