Adventure equals excitement for Sebastian Schnuelle of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.  For those of you new to following the Iditarod, Sebastian finished second in 2009, completing the race in 10 days 5 hours 5 minutes, finishing with 13 dogs.  He has started and finished the Iditarod every year since 2005 improving his standing every year.

I asked Sebastian how he thought sled dog racing has changed since he became involved in 1998.  He said, “When I first started racing I really did not know what I was in for.  I knew so little that I did not even know how little I knew.  That was back in 1998, when I first attempted running the Copper Basin 300 trying to qualify for the Yukon Quest.  I had a pretty rough start in racing and saw it more as a big adventure and not as racing.  So I do not really know what went on racing wise when I started.  For myself over the last 5 years I have learned to pace myself, train and run slower.  Distance racing is all about patience.”

Sebastian has started the Yukon Quest 6 times.  In 1999 he scratched.  Then he finished the race in the top 10 each time in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.  In 2009 he was the first place finisher.  He set a new Yukon Quest record of 9 days 23 hours and 20 minutes.

It’s hard to believe that Sebastian used to wear a suit and tie to work.  He likes being out in the bush and has no close neighbors so the dogs can be loose when he walks them.  There is no running water or power in his cabin, which also keeps him in shape doing the necessary chores such as hauling water, chopping wood, and taking care of the dogs.  Other than that, he is not much of a fan of workouts. When training and racing, Sebastian said that he sometimes uses a ski pole behind the sled, but generally tries to help as little as possible.  He said, “I try to not run or pedal to help the dogs.  That is why I run dogs and not marathons.”

With all the work at the kennel, Sebastian doesn’t work a “regular” job.  The dogs are his job whether they are racing or working at tour operations.  The dogs exercise year round, on a glacier during the summer where they give sled rides to tourists and during the winter they are running on longer expedition type trips.  This helps to keep them in shape.

Currently there are 50 dogs in the kennel, of which 24 are trained for racing.   Four of those race dogs belong to Jon Little and one belongs to Richie Beattie.   Two handlers assist with the daily work and training.  Sebastian’s days are full.  He is up and going by 6 a.m.   By 7:30 a.m. the dogs are ready to go for training.  When the weather is warm he starts earlier.  The team is back at the kennel around noon.  The dogs get to rest while Sebastian takes care of lunch and emails.  The afternoon work is generally maintenance.  When the weather is cooler he runs a second team in the evening.  He trains his dogs to run slow and steady.  This keeps the dogs happy and healthy.  The dogs are definitely a 7 day a week job.  Sebastian said, “Once it gets closer to race time I will have a few more helping hands arriving to help with the organizing.”

Sebastian also enjoys training mushers for racing.  Other mushers have also used his dogs to race the Quest 300, Copper Basin 300, Yukon Quest and the Iditarod.  He said, “2 years ago Rudi Niggemeier came in 43rd in the Iditarod with a team of mine.  Last year Mark Sleightholme came in 11th in the Yukon Quest.”  Sebastian is planning to run two 300 milers before the Iditarod.  He would like to finish the season with the Kobuk 440.

“I thrive on challenge,” said Sebastian.  There is a line from the 2009 Iditarod DVD that says “these are people who squeeze pleasure out of misery.”  As he thrives on the uncertainty, Sebastian loves it when the going gets tough.  He said, “Last year I enjoyed myself the whole way, both in the Quest and Iditarod.  Although I did get worried on the long 15 hour run from Unalakleet to Koyuk going through that wind, I remember camping on the Yukon River close to the Kandik Cabin and thinking to myself-too bad that this trip is already over in 2 days.”

Here’s wishing Sab a season of challenges and adventures.  Please visit his websites at:  www.bluekennels.de or www.sebastianschnuelle.com

* Joy Davis is an educator in Indiana.  The Educational Journalists are teachers working with Iditarod’s Education Department to bring the stories behind the scenes to race fans of all ages.

(Photos submitted by Sebastian.)

If you are planning to be at the start of the 2010 Iditarod, consider placing a bid to be an Idita-Rider.  Learn more!

This year’s auction will include the Iditarod’s exclusive Ultimate Adventure package for $15,000. The package features a sled of choice and an overnight at Rainy Pass Lodge to watch the front runners come through Rainy Pass Checkpoint in the heart of the Alaska Range.

Minimum bids start at $500 but you can guarantee your sled of choice by bidding $7,500.  The closing date for the 2010 Idita-Rider Auction is January 22, 2010.

Proceeds from the Idita-Rider Auction help to benefit the individual mushers who complete the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in the form of prize money.

For more information on the IditaRider Auction please contact Deby Trosper (Idita-Rider Musher Auction Coordinator) at (907) 232-9090 or at deby.trosper@iditarod.com.

Support Your Favorite Musher(PDF Document)

When I think of Pat Moon, two adjectives immediately come to mind-tenacity and invincible. Let me explain. Pat, a native of Chicago, Illinois, had had ulcerative colitis since the age of fifteen. This disease makes the person feel like their body is trying to reject the lower intestine. The disease can be controlled with a strict diet, low stress, and scheduled bathroom breaks. Not exactly the description of the conditions for a ‘normal’ musher. But Pat is not your ‘normal’ person. In his downtime, he drove a dog across the border just to have the dog’s picture taken in Canada. Pat loves adventure. He has lived previously on a Kansas ranch for seven months to learn about raising cattle. He has also canoed down the Amazon River. Pat is the owner of Double Up Farms, a niche landscaping company serving the Chicago-land area. Previously he worked as a firefighter for a suburb of Chicago.

In 2006, Pat was a rider in the Idita-rider program. In this program the Idita-rider starts the ceremonial part of the race with a musher. When he returned home from this event he announced to his wife that he would soon run in the Iditarod. Four years later his dream is going to come true.

In the fall of 2008, Pat began a five month journey to learn all there is to know about sled dog racing. Before this training began he had never been on the runners of a sled. Pat began an intensive training program with Tasha and Ed Stielstra of McMillian, Michigan. This is an eight hour drive from Pat’s Chicagoland home. Ed is an Iditarod veteran who has competed in the race five times. Tasha is also an accomplished racer. She has won the UP 200 and has finished third in the LeOdesse Grande dog sled race which is held in the French Alps. Ed and Tasha own and operate Nature’s Kennels.

During this training and life experience, Pat has discovered more about himself. Pat said, “I have to change the way I look at not only what I am doing, but how I do it while still remembering why I am doing it. Most importantly, I have to remember that I elected to do this. This was my choice, and therefore, no matter what the situation, I need to smile and stay upbeat. The dogs always are, so why shouldn’t I be?”

The UP 200 was Pat’s first qualifying race for the Iditarod. Pat met his goal of successfully completing this race. He received the prestigious “Red Lantern Award.”

In February 2009 Pat was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. He has been receiving treatment. This condition does not slow Pat down. He is determined to meet his goal- to finish “The Last Great Race on Earth.”

Pat’s lead dog, Dash, was to run in the Iditarod 2009 with Ed Stielstra. However, in the pre-race vet check, Dash’s bloodwork was a little ‘off.’ Although not life-threatening, Dash’s status as a race dog was then put into question. At that time Pat said, “I am now on the verge of a breakdown knowing that Dash may not be my leader when I pass under the Burled Arch.” Sadly, in August Dash traveled on to the Rainbow Bridge. However, when Pat finishes the Iditarod in 2010 he will be carrying with him Dash’s collar. They will cross the finish line together as originally planned. Dash is still with the team in spirit. He is buried in the middle of the kennel where he can watch over his teammates.

Pat’s other qualifying race was the Taiga 300 in Paxton, Alaska. Here he finished a respectable twelfth place. Pat said that, “both races taught me to trust my dogs, being cold is normal, make sure to pack what you need, and drink water all the time. The Taiga was in Alaska in the winter, so I really was able to get a great feel for the elements. It was cold!”

After completing these qualifying races Pat came to this conclusion, “I have been cutting lawns on my own, and the similarities to holding onto a dog sled are surprising to me. Both activities have their own sound. When I am doing either, it is all I hear. I fall somewhat into a trance of focus, really only seeing what I am actively participating in. My mind also has hours to wander and to think.”

Part of Pat’s team spent the summer in Skagway. Here they were able to maintain their physical conditioning while they pulled carts for cruise ship guests. They are now back home and resting before training restarts. To prepare for the 2010 Iditarod Pat is jogging- a lot. He is also trying out a variety of food types that can be vacuum sealed and frozen. An effect of the race is lack of sleep. So Pat is modifying his sleep pattern. Maybe I should loan him my malamute on a stormy night!

Preparing for and running the race is an expensive adventure. At this time Pat is looking for additional sponsors. He also offers a pooch pal adoption that helps with the costs of food and vet bills. In this program each dog can be sponsored. The sponsor receives an autographed picture of Pat with the selected dog, an official Team Moon shirt, a certificate of thanks and email updates regarding training. For more information, please check out Pat’s website.

Pat’s goal is to finish the Iditarod with healthy dogs. We are hopeful that Pat finishes the race healthy as well. He wants to be an example to show that anything is possible regardless of whether you have an illness or affliction. I believe that with Pat’s positive attitude that he can accomplish whatever he sets his mind to. He is a fine role model for me to hold up to my students.

* Joy Davis is an educator in Indiana.  The Educational Journalists are teachers working with Iditarod’s Education Department to bring the stories behind the scenes to race fans of all ages.

4 Time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser refers to this transference in an interesting way.  He talks about how his priorities begin to narrow intensely as he begins to count down the days to race start.

“You start out the year with your priorities ranging from your family, to your friends, to your kennel and finally to yourself. As you begin the process of training for the Iditarod your focus begins to grow more intense until that moment when your focus… your priority… is only about as wide as the runners of the sled you’re standing on, and as long as the team that is stretched out in front of you.”  Says Buser.

Like each competitor in the field (and the field is very deep), Buser has to begin assessing logistics, training schedules, team make ups, and a huge list of “What Ifs.”  The What Ifs” are all those unknowns that range from training injuries to weather conditions to trail conditions.

This year’s rookie class will also be focused.  The 20 rookies that have signed up for  the 2010 Iditarod represent the first class that has to have completed their mandatory qualifiers prior to signing up for the race.  But they know the Iditarod is not like any other race they’ve ever run.  For this rookie class, the ability to prepare, and be prepared for anything that they might confront is will undoubtedly be a very big part of their training schedule.  For Iditarod rookies the race narrows down to working toward and implementing a plan to finish the race in a competitive manner keeping safety at the top of the priority list.

Another big part of preparing for the 2010 Iditarod for all mushers is their ability to develop their own mental toughness. They’re accountable to and for their team.  They are the coach, the dietary technician, the veterinary technician, the navigator, and the group counselor. That training is probably the toughest training of all. But it’s the kind of training that will take many teams in this year’s field to Front Street in Nome Alaska, as official Iditarod Finishers.

The season is changing and the time to prepare draws near…  March 6^th 2010 can’t get here fast enough!

4 Time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser gets down to business quickly at the Finger Lake Checkpoint. (March 2009) Image captured by Iditarod Insider

Michelle Phillips is no rookie when it comes to racing sled dogs. She has run the challenging Yukon Quest 5 times. In 2008 she finished in 4th place.  This demonstrates that racing sled dogs is a sport where men and women compete equally. She has also been awarded the “Rookie of the Year” in both the Percy DeWolfe and the Copper Basin races.

Michelle resides in Tagish, Yukon Territory, Canada. She and her partner, Ed Hopkins, own and operate Pristine Wilderness Tours. You can visit their website at: www.yukonhuskies.com. They have a son, Keegan. The family has a 55 dog kennel of Alaskan huskies. Michelle learned to race from Ed.

Ed is an accomplished racer himself.  He has been running dogs for 22 years.

In her spare time Michelle likes to read books on a variety of subjects. One of her favorite topics is aromatherapy.

When asked why she likes to race Michelle stated, “I love spending time with the dogs and enjoying the countryside.” Michelle said that she is ready to see new trails and seek new challenges. She thinks that in the Iditarod that the coastline will present its own set of challenges. She is also looking forward to the Dazell Gorge and the Happy Steps.

Michelle is planning to take “feelie hearts” with her on the Iditarod race. Last year on the Quest she did a fundraiser for Hospice Yukon. Michelle said, “Feelie hearts began with a grieving four year old girl whose mother had died. She was given a small, stuffed fabric heart to carry with her, understanding the soft heart neatly tucked in her pocket was proof of her mother’s existence and love for her. It gave her permission to remember and grieve her loss which was far too vast for words alone. The Feelie Heart story has traveled to Hospices around the world, comforting dying people and those who love them.”

We will be looking for good things to come from this adventurous lady. Good luck, Michelle!

* Joy Davis is an educator in Indiana.  The Educational Journalists are teachers working with Iditarod’s Education Department to bring the stories behind the scenes to race fans of all ages.

Thanks to all 2,000-ticket purchasers for taking part in “The Last Great Race on Earth”!

2009 Winter Raffle Tickets on sale October 1^st, 2009

Call 1-800-545-6874 or stop by the 5^thAve Mall or Iditarod Headquarters to purchase one.

Johnson received $10,000 from the Seppala Heritage Grant Committee to help fund his efforts toward running the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.  The Grant Selection Committee consisted of Former Iditarod musher Dan Seavey from Seward Alaska, 1985 Iditarod Champion Libby Riddles from Fritz Creek Alaska, Longtime Iditarod musher Mike Williams from Akiak Alaska, and Laura Samuelson Director of Nome Alaska’s Carrie McClain Memorial Museum.

The Seppala Heritage Grant is specifically designed to help fund the efforts of mushers who aspire to run the “Last Great Race to Nome” for the first time.  Applicants have to demonstrate a commitment to work with, train and race sled dogs, and show value traits of generosity of spirit, courage, integrity and love for the dogs, land and people of Alaska.
The Seppala Heritage Grant was founded by the Seppala Family with the hope that other persons or organizations rise to the challenge and donate to this charitable grant with money or services, thereby increasing the outreach potential of this grant.

2004 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion, Mitch Seavey, met that challenge by donating $10,000 of his All-Alaska Sweepstakes winning purse in order keep this very important program alive.

Grant funds are administrated by Iditarod National Historic Trail Alliance Inc., a private, nonprofit organization with 501, C-3 federal tax status. For more information about the Seppala Heritage Grant please contact Dan Seavey at (907) 224.3518

Mackey will be at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters on Thursday, July 16^th from 1-4 pm to talk about the famous finish and about the legacy that continues through the Mackey family on the Iditarod Trail. He’ll also be signing “One Second to Glory: The Adventures of Iditarod Champion Dick Mackey” written by Lew Freedman.

Please feel free to come to the Iditarod Headquarters (located at mile 2.2 Kink Road, Wasilla AK) between 1 and 4 pm on Thursday, July 16th and spend some time with an Iditarod Legend; Dick Mackey.

From: Rodney D. Whaley

Today is July 6th, two days after the 4th of July celebration. This morning I got up at 0500 (5 a.m.) and proceeded to the gym to get some exercise. I got there at 0530 and decided I would exercise on the elliptical machine. The room has several elliptical and stationary bicycles. We are also provided with television to watch to help the time go by faster. This morning, the TV was on FOX News. At 0600, Mike Huckabee came on. I think it is called Huckabee and Friends. He stated, as the show came on, that the program would be a tribute to our country with some interviews and some musical entertainment. Now, keep in mind that what we are watching at 0600(6 a.m.) is being broadcast on the east coast at 11:00 p.m., Sunday night, 5 July, and in Nashville at 10:00 p.m. Sunday night. It also appeared to be a re-run from the night before, so it initially ran on the night of the 4th of July in the states. I think.

So here we are, a bunch of soldiers, mostly older soldiers, working out on these exercise machines, watching Mike Huckabee and his patriotic show. He first interviewed an author, and then had Lee Greenwood and his band sing and play. Of course in Lee Greenwood tradition, the song was, God Bless the USA. As the song began, we just continued exercising. Beside me was this rather large, jolly man with a strong Spanish accent. He appeared to be Puerto Rican. When we got to the chorus, this man started singing to the top of his lungs, “I’m proud to be an American” with this strong Spanish accent. Then he stopped his machine and stood beside it at attention and continued to sing. Suddenly, others stopped exercising and joined in. I did too. Then this big Hispanic soldier puts his arms around my shoulders in a “man’s hug.” I sang louder. So did everybody else. All of the machines had ceased by this time and we all joined together, arms on one another’s shoulders singing, “I’ll proudly stand up, next to you, and defend her still today.” These are soldiers who truly were “defending her today, this very day” on foreign soil in a combat zone. The big guy beside me had tears streaming down his face. So did others. So did I. Maybe not big elephant tears, but my eyes were beyond moist. This room had a big glass front to it. Across the hall, with a glass front was the weight lifting room. By the time we hit the last chorus, the folks over there had stopped their weight lifting and were watching this little band of old soldiers, arms around one another’s shoulders, with tears in their eyes singing, “God bless the USA!”

When the song was over, we looked at one another like, “What just happened here!” We got back on our machines, continued our exercise session, and FOX News went to a commercial. It is a moment I’ll never forget.

It’s an honor and a privilege to serve my country,

Rodney

Rodney D. Whaley

The Iditarod Trail Committee salutes Rodney and all those who are and have served in harm’s way so that we can enjoy the freedoms they are charged to protect.

Thank you for your service.

More than 500 volunteers and mushers gathered at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters. They were served a barbeque luncheon by the Millennium Alaska Hotel (The Official Hotel of the Iditarod trail Sled Dog Race). Jeff King (Denali Alaska) and Robert Nelson (Kotzebue Alaska) won their $4,000 entry fees back in a final drawing that marked the end of the 2009 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic.

• 9:30 am – Musher sign-ups for IDITARDO XXXVIII will begin.
• 10:00 am – General membership meeting will be conducted and election results for the ITC’s board of directors will be announced.
• 12:00 noon – Volunteer Appreciation Picnic sponsored by the Millennium Alaskan Hotel begins.

Parking for the Volunteer Picnic is available at the Smith Ball Fields adjacent to the Iditarod Headquarters.

• The entry fee for 2010 remains at $4,000.

• Change the 2010  sign-up day procedure.  There are two pools. If a musher signs up on the 27thof June 2009 (in person or not) you will draw from the pool of all entrants who signed up on that date (relieves travel costs and time expense for mushers). Any entries received after 3:30 pm will be in the second pool.

• There will be a drawing at the ITC HQS on the 27^{th of} June for two free entry fees. Mushers must be present to be included in this drawing.

The ITC Board of Directors made the above decisions based on its recognition of the current economic climate.

The following application forms are required in order to sign up for the 2010 Race:

2010 Iditarod Race application

2010 Musher Release Form

2010 Nome Housing Form

Click here for the 2010 Iditarod Trail Committee Rules.

“Déjà Vu” is a 90 minute long form documentary produced by the Iditarod Insider and is the Iditarod Trail Committee’s third award in as many years.  “IDITAROD 2006: Mother Nature’s Turn to Dance” and “Iditarod 2007: As Tough as They Come” were also awarded the coveted Emmys.

The 46th Annual Northwest Regional Emmy Awards Nomination List represents the selections from television submissions in the northwest region of the United States (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Montana).

The sponsorship family of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an integral part of the success of “The Last Great Race on Earth.”  Many of the sponsors (and their employees) not only support the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race with monetary and in kind resources but they are also part of the more than 1800 volunteers who make the Iditarod a reality!

Lance will be on hand between 5 and 8 pm to greet Iditarod fans and sign autographs from 5 pm to 8pm Tuesday night.

The Iditarod Gift Shop is located on the first floor of the 5^th Avenue Mall in Downtown Anchorage.  Bring along your favorite Iditarod memorabilia and have it autographed by the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Iditarod Sled Dog Race Champion… Lance Mackey.