What a night! We made it into Bethel by snowmobile, Jan had a great dinner waiting, we inhaled it, and then all jumped into her blazer to get to the start line. Dogs, people, trucks and cars all were on the frozen Kuskokwim River.
It was crazy, dogs barking and leaping waiting to go. We almost got to be handlers for one of the teams, but because of the weather, we couldn't guarantee that we'd make it in. Rats!
Handlers hold dogs, hold sleds, hold anything the musher needs. This is John Baker's sled with extra long runners holding his gear and it's a way for him to take a sit break. Baker was the Iditarod champ last year.
Rhone Buser getting ready. His gear is tied down to a snowmobile as the dogs are so strong. His father is a multi-champion of the Iditarod, Martin Buser. Father and son competed and this time Rhone came out on top!
The race start was set for 6:30 PM. Racers pull into the two chutes. As the countdown begins handlers are trying to line out the dogs. Mushers are walking up and down checking lines. When it's time to go dogs jam into harnesses trying to get sled, gear, and musher on the move. Both teams go, but eventually one moves ahead.
The K300 veteran and 2011 champ, Paul Gebhart, with his pink booty team.
Martin Buser (in white) checking his team. Handler's having a tough time lining dogs out.
Off they go! The far team is taking off at the same time.
John Baker's team getting ready to go.
There were 16 teams at this year's race. Within 10 minutes of the last mushers out the chute, the fireworks began. They were incredible as we could walk up to where they were being shot off, if we wanted. After watching one shoot sideways and watching the fellow have to dive out of the way, we kept our distance.
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