Hi Boys and Girls,
We K9 reporters have received many emails and blog comments asking us what the difference is between a musher who has scratched or was withdrawn from the race. This is an excellent question for the blog.
When a musher scratches from the race, he or she makes the decision themselves. The most common reason a musher scratches is for the best interest of the team. This means a lot of things. Sometimes, a musher is hurt or ill and they feel they cannot take care of their team properly. The team may be ill or not performing to the level needed to finish the race and the musher scratches. The sled may have been damaged to the point that it is not useable and an extra sled is not available. There’s just so many reasons a musher may have for not continuing the race.
Withdrawn means the decision was made for the musher. The decision is made by a 3 judge panel. At least 2 of the judges must agree to the withdrawal. This decision does not mean that the musher did anything wrong. This year Rob Loveman was withdrawn from the race due to his team no longer being competitive. He was in last place and far enough behind the others that he would not be able to catch up to them.
There is one more way that a team would leave the trail and that is by disqualification. This is more serious and rarely happens. All 3 judges must agree that a musher should be disqualified. The chief Veterinarian may be consulted also if cruel or inhumane treatment of the dogs is suspected. Mushers can be disqualified for deliberately breaking the rules, cheating, or abuse of the dogs. The musher is given the chance to present his case to the judges before a decision is made.
Hope that helps. Thanks for the great questions you have been asking this year. We will be answering the questions we are asked the most on the blog. So keep reading and writing.
See you on the trail,
Gypsy \\
22 Comments
LANCE MACKEY WON THE IDITAROD DOG SLED RACE
Lance Mackey won the race. He bolted out the door when Jeff King fell asleep. That’s how he won!
Hi, That happened last year when Lance won his 2nd Iditarod.
Gypsy are you a bo or a girl?
girl
hi how yall doing do.one of my racers droped out. i was wonder ing why.
Hi, you can go to : http://www.iditarod.com/race/ and find out about the mushers who scratched. Gypsy
thanks Gypsy I know You wrote that article because of the earlier comment I Posted.
J-MAN
Hi J-MAN, Your comment was one of many we received. Thanks for writing and asking good questions. Gypsy
I thought you were a girl but I wasn’t sure because I was writing about you on a paper. So thanks for telling me.
Gypsy, are you all girls?
yes, You can go to the blog’s main page and on the left there is a “meet the reporters” section. You can click on each of us and find out all about us. Gypsy
Gypsi, how old are you?
I am 2 years old. Gypsy
Gypsy, what is your mother’s name and was she a sled dog too
My mothers name is Paige and yes she is a sled dog. She now runs on the team at my house. Gypsy
Why is it called the Iditarod
You can go to: http://www.iditarod.com/learn/ and learn about the history of the race. Gypsy
Do you have another sled dog you look up to?
My grandma Lyra is a really special dog. She lives with us and I have learned so much from her. She has great stories to tell and she is so wise. Gypsy
How many races have you been in
None. Maybe next year. Gypsy
Have you ever been part of the winning team?
My team has never raced. We run for fun. Gypsy
What is your favorite race you have been in?
I’ve never been in a race. My human says maybe next year we’ll do a short race Gypsy
What is it like on the course
Hi, I’ve only run on trails near where I live. When there is no snow the trails are usually dirt trails. In the winter, we try to stay on packed snow trails. Gypsy
Dear Gypsy,
Here are a few questions for you.
Why did you choose to be a K-9 reporter?
Do you wear cloths like Libby or bandanas like Zuma?
What’s your favorite part about being a K-9 reporter?
Do you have a favorite musher in the 2009 Iditarod?
Why is your name Gyspy?
Are you friends with the other K-9 reporters?
From your friends in Lansing, New York,
Krista and Ellen
Hi Krista and Ellen, I’ll try to answer all your questions.
I love to wander and see new sights and meet new people. Being a K9 reported seemed like a good way to do that.
I don’t wear clothes or bandanas. I do have a beautiful blue harness that I love to wear.
I have so many friends out on the trail that I don’t pick favorites.
My real name is Gypsum. My litter was named after rocks. My humans nicknamed me Gypsy because I LOVE to wander. You can read more about me at: http://iditarodblogs.com/zuma/meet-the-reporters/who-am-i-gypsy/
All of the K9 reporters are friends.
Thanks for writing.
Gypsy
Hi Gypsy,
First of all how are you?
We have just a few questions: Where does your name come from, are you a mix or a pure breed, where is your family from, who is your musher, who are some of your fellow doggie, and will you write back to Meghan and Emily at Lansing Elemantary?
Hi Meghan and Emily, My whole litter was named after rocks and minerals. My real name is Gypsum. Gypsy is my nickname. I am a pure bred Siberian Husky. I live with my humans, my mom, my grandma, my brother and 5 other siberians. You can read more about me by going to
http://iditarodblogs.com/zuma/meet-the-reporters/who-am-i-gypsy/. Thanks for writing. Gypsy
Hi Gypsy,
We wanted to know what Gypsum means?
From,Emily and Elsa
Hi Emily and Elsa, Gypsum is a mineral. Have you ever used plaster of paris to make something in class? If so, you’ve used Gypsum. Hope that helps. Gypsy
to Gypsy,
who is your favorite musher?
And what breed of dog are you are you?
I’m friends with all the mushers and I don’t pick favorites. I’m a reporter and I need to be fair to everyone. I am a Siberian Husky. Thanks for writing. Gypsy
next year if you had a choice of who your musher was who would it be?OH, I don’t choose a favorite musher or a favorite team… Good reporters try to keep those personal opinions out of it. Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
how did you learn to type on the computer?
With lots of practice! thanks for writing. Gypsy
Hi Gipsy do the other k-9 reporters know how to type?
yes we all know how to type.