Date: January 28, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Ekran shines in CB300, but misses critical turn
Sigrid Ekran should have won the 2008 Copper Basin 300, but a wrong turn in the final stretch proved that mushers should never quit racing. Hot on her heels, Allan Moore managed to sort his way in the right direction and went on to win his third Copper Basin. Ekran was on her way to a decisive win over some very talented competition. Her team was performing at a high level. She’d posted the fastest times consistently throughout the grueling 300 mile race. Then the bottom fell out. She overlooked a turn, and it cost her three positions.
The problem was a “Y” in the trail that confused several mushers. Teams had been following a well-groomed snowmobile trail for miles, which curved left where a narrow minor trail veered right. Teams were supposed to go right, but it was blown over and wasn’t marked clearly, so Ekran and her dogs continued down the most obvious trail.
“I missed it,” she said later.
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Date: January 10, 2008 at 3:10 pm
The modern challenges of global warming and population growth are catching up with the world’s most famous sled dog race.
Citing a warming climate and sprawling development, officials with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race said Wednesday they were implementing permanent logistical changes that in recent years have become the norm for the March event.
The March 1 ceremonial start in Anchorage will go 11 miles, seven shorter than the traditional route. The actual competitive start of the 1,100-mile race the following day will move 30 miles north to Willow from the traditional site in Wasilla – where the Iditarod has its headquarters and part of Alaska’s fastest growing region.
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Date: January 8, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Wasilla, Alaska – The Iditarod Trail Committee announced changes today to both the start and restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. For the foreseeable future, the Saturday start of the race will, as usual, begin at the corner 4th Avenue and D Street in downtown Anchorage, but will end some 11 miles from the starting line. Additionally, Sunday’s restart will take place in Willow and will be staged on Willow Lake.
Iditarod Trail Committee Executive Director, Stan Hooley, cited the effects of development on traditional trails as well as less than acceptable weather and trail conditions for both decisions, “While economic growth is important to all of us, there is no question that the many roads, driveways and bike paths don’t make for good or safe racing conditions. And I think we all know that while winter has a way of coming and going a few times each year in Wasilla, it’s consistently winter a few miles north in Willow.”
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