On Saturday the Junior Iditarod mushers staged their teams in a
smaller area than usual but the excitement was larger than life.
All the kids who attempt this race are excellent examples of self
motivating, high achievers who happen to love dogs and enjoy mushing.
Many
familiar names were in the line up, such as King, Seavey, Osmar,
Buser and more. Of course all the proud parents were there sending
their kids off in style. The weather was warm, about +20, and a
beautiful day. The trail began at Susitna Landing and headed out
towards Yentna. Bill helped guide teams to the start line while
I photographed them. We waited until all the teams passed under
the starting banner before we got our snowmachines ready to follow
along. Most of the teams were far out ahead of us but we did pass
a couple of teams along the way. We took a different slough to Yentna
so we would not interfere with the mushers. When we arrived at the
halfway point, no teams had checked in but Nicole Osmar soon arrived
looking great. Shortly on her heels, Dallas Seavey pulled in, well
organized and looking good. A bright yellow parka quickly appeared
on the horizon as Tessa King came into view. Gradually over the
next few hours, as the fog began to rise on the river, all the mushers
pulled into Yentna.
At
Yentna Station, we enjoyed the hospitality and good cooking of Dan
and Jean Gabryszak. As the evening progressed, Dan pulled out his
guitar. He sang favorite tunes while his impromoptu audience sang
along. Martin Buser had zoomed in on his wife's snowmachine incognito
to observe his boys from afar. Charlie Boulding and his wife, Robin,
came in after dark as well. The kids all gathered round their traditional
bonfire while the rest of us went to sleep.
February
28, 2003
Start Position — Musher —
Hometown
1 — Howard and Julie Farley — honorary
2 — John Baker — Kotzebue
3 — Ted English — Willow
4 — Cali King — Denali Park
5 — Perry Solomonson — Whittier
6 — Jason Barron — Lincoln, Mont.
7 — Tyrell Seavey — Seward
8 — Jessie Royer — Fairbanks
9 — Ed Iten — Kotzebue
10 — Dexter Kancer — Nenana
11 — Blake Matray — Two Rivers
12 — Ben Stamm — Argyle, Wis.
13 — Jim Lanier — Chugiak
14 — Paul Gebhardt — Kasilof
15 — Martin Buser — Big Lake
16 — Karen Land — Sand Coulee, Mont.
17 — Cim Smyth — Big Lake
18 — Jeff King — Denali Park
19 — Vern Halter — Willow
20 — Lance Barve — Willow
21 — Frank Sihler — Wasilla
22 — Gerald Riley — Nenana
23 — Robert Sorlie — Hurdal, Norway
24 — Cindy Gallea — Seely Lake, Mont.
25 — Aaron Burmeister — Nome
26 — Lynda Plettner — Houston
27 — Charlie Boulding — Manley
28 — Ray Redington Jr. — Two Rivers
29 — Todd Capistrant — Emerald, Wis.
30 — DeeDee Jonrowe — Willow
31 — Jack Berry — Salcha
32 — Debbie Moderow — Anchorage
33 — Ramey Smyth — Big Lake
34 — Carla Kelly — Anchorage
35 — G.B. Jones — Wasilla
36 — Ken Anderson — Fairbanks
37 — Bruce Lee — Denali Park
38 — Karen Ramstead — Perryvale, Alberta
39 — Randy Chappel — Arlington, Texas
40 — Peter Bartlett — Willow
41 — Linwood Fiedler — Willow
42 — Ramy Brooks — Healy
43 — Mitch Seavey — Seward
44 — Sonny Lindner — Fairbanks
45 — Aliy Zirkle — Two Rivers
46 — Melanie Gould — Talkeetna
47 — Rick Swenson — Two Rivers
48 — Tim Osmar — Ninilchik
49 — Gerald Sousa — Talkeetna
50 — Ellen Halverson — Wasilla
51 — Mike Williams — Akiak
52 — Bill Pinkham — Glenwood Springs, Colo.
53 — Palmer Sagoonick — Shaktoolik
54 — Adam Scott Gibler — Chugiak
55 — Dean Osmar — Clam Gulch
56 — Jon Little — Kasilof
57 — Jim Gallea — Sterling
58 — Bob Hickel — Anchorage
59 — Keith Aili — Ray, Minn.
60 — Jessica Hendricks — Copper Center
61 — Russell Bybee — Willow
62 — Kelly LaMarre — Geneva, Ill.
63 — Lachlan Clarke — Colorado Springs, Colo.
64 — Robert Bundtzen — Anchorage
65 — Clint Warnke — Bonnie Lake, Wash
Many
familiar names were in the line up, such as King, Seavey, Osmar,
Buser and more. Of course all the proud parents were there sending
their kids off in style. The weather was warm, about +20, and a
beautiful day. The trail began at Susitna Landing and headed out
towards Yentna. Bill helped guide teams to the start line while
I photographed them. We waited until all the teams passed under
the starting banner before we got our snowmachines ready to follow
along. Most of the teams were far out ahead of us but we did pass
a couple of teams along the way. We took a different slough to Yentna
so we would not interfere with the mushers. When we arrived at the
halfway point, no teams had checked in but Nicole Osmar soon arrived
looking great. Shortly on her heels, Dallas Seavey pulled in, well
organized and looking good. A bright yellow parka quickly appeared
on the horizon as Tessa King came into view. Gradually over the
next few hours, as the fog began to rise on the river, all the mushers
pulled into Yentna.
At
Yentna Station, we enjoyed the hospitality and good cooking of Dan
and Jean Gabryszak. As the evening progressed, Dan pulled out his
guitar. He sang favorite tunes while his impromoptu audience sang
along. Martin Buser had zoomed in on his wife's snowmachine incognito
to observe his boys from afar. Charlie Boulding and his wife, Robin,
came in after dark as well. The kids all gathered round their traditional
bonfire while the rest of us went to sleep.