Bill Gallea forUltimateIditarod

Mitch Seavey puts down his snowhook for the last time in Iditarod XXXI just past midnight Friday.

Dooda, the main leader in Mitch’s team, looks unfazed by all the hoopla at the finish line.

MITCH ARRIVES


Mitch Seavey secured twelfth place in Iditarod XXXI when he arrived under the burled arch just after midnight tonight. His nine-dog team, led by Dooda, a beautiful white husky, looked very snappy as they trotted down Front Street behind the city police patrol car and its flashing lights.
Mitch was greeted by his entire family, except for Tyrell, who is currently resting in Shaktoolik with his team of two year olds. And Danny, the oldest of Mitch and Janine’s four sons, is studying at the University of Montana and could not be here to cheer dad’s arrival. But everyone else, including Mitch’s father and mother, Dan and Shirley Seavey of Seward, were on hand to welcome the team to the finish line.

Mitch was interviewed by ‘Radio Paul”, as we came to call him on our travels together between checkpoints, and he described his run as quite smooth. There wasn’t too much excitement on the trail for Mitch this year, which he regards as a positive development. It suggests he’s got the basic program of training close to where he wants it.

But he noted quickly how fun it was to drive a dog team that is rested, eating well, and moving smoothly and quietly down the trail. And he mentioned how fun it was to realize that all but one of the dogs in the team here in Nome were dogs he and his family had bred and raised from newborn pups.

Mitch and his heroic huskies are now taking their well-deserved sleep. No need to get up and go any more. They’re at their goal, and can dream happy dreams tonight.