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Monthly Archives: January 2010

CITY OF NOME MAKES SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN SUPPORT TO IDITAROD

Date: January 14, 2010 at 9:05 am

The Iditarod Trail Committee got more good financial news on January 12th, 2010 as it learned that the City of Nome increased its cash contribution for the 2010 race to $50,000.00. The City contributes significant in-kind services in support of the race as well.

“The Iditarod is an important celebration of Alaskan life. But it’s also an important economic engine for the City of Nome and generates millions of dollars in economic activity for many communities and businesses in the State of Alaska” said Denise Michels, Mayor of the City of Nome.

“Our hope is that others who benefit will look for ways to either get involved for the first time, or increase their support, to help the Iditarod rebound from what has been a challenging twelve months,” Mayor Michels added.

“This comes as incredibly welcome news, particularly given our financial challenges over the past year or more,” said Stan Hooley, Executive Director of the Iditarod Trail Committee.
“There are many things that we appreciate about the City of Nome, but in the end, what makes the community is its people. It’s a special place, full of special people, with a “can do” attitude,”Hooley added.

Seventy-one mushers will begin the annual race to Nome when Iditarod XXXVIII gets underway in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

Posted by Iditarod Staff in Race Coverage

4 TIME IDITAROD CHAMP JEFF KING MAKES GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO IDITAROD

Date: January 4, 2010 at 10:37 am

Wasilla, Alaska – January 4, 2010 – While the Iditarod Trail Committee has experienced significant revenue losses over the past 12 months, it got some great news today from one of its very own. Four-time Iditarod Champion, Jeff King, from Denali Park made a donation of $50,000.00. The funds will be added to the purse.

“This is my way of saying thank you to the Iditarod for doing such a great job of providing an arena for me to experience such success as a dog musher,” said King. “I am so lucky to have been able to make a successful career out of my passion for dogs and the Alaska wilderness, King added.

“Jeff King is a Champion in many, many ways,” said Lee Larsen, President of the Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors. “His hope, and my hope, is that others will also want to play whatever role they can by making a contribution to restore the purse or assist in staging “The Last Great Race,” Larsen added.

King, 54, was born in California. He came to Alaska in 1975 to “seek adventure.” He began mushing in 1976 after he heard Jerry Riley’s race finish while listening to the radio. Jeff has an outstanding race record including a Yukon Quest victory in 1989 and four Iditarod victories. He lives with his family on Goose Lake in Denali Park surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Alaska Range. The King’s two-story log home is also an art studio for Jeff’s wife, Donna, an accomplished medical illustrator and wildlife painter. The owner and operator of Goose Lake Kennels, King breeds, raises and trains 60 to 70 huskies a year. The Kings have three daughters, Cali, 25, Tessa, 23, and Ellen, 18. All the girls have run the Jr. Iditarod and Cali finished the Iditarod.

King will make his twenty-first run to Nome when Iditarod XXXVIII gets underway in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

Jeff King and his team head to Nome in 2006, the year he won his 4th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. ( Photo courtesy of Jeff Schultz) Jeff King On His Way To Nome & His 4th Iditarod Championship

Posted by Iditarod Staff in Race Coverage