Mitch Seavey is the 2004 Iditarod Champion! (March 17, 2004)
by Ultimate Iditarod's Jim Gallea

Mitch Seavey added his name to the illustrious list of Iditarod Champions as he crossed the finish line in first place yesterday (Tuesday) night at 10:20 PM Alaska Time.  Among the large crowd of spectators who gathered in the pleasant 14-degree weather were Mitch's wife, Janine, his sons, Dallas (17) and Conway (7), and his parents, Dan and Shirley Seavey. 

Mitch, Tyrell, Danny, and Dan Seavey after the 2001 Iditarod.

Mitch's victory is a long-awaited moment in the Seavey Family.  Their presence in the Iditarod dates to the very first race in 1973 when Dan took 3rd place.  Mitch was a young teenager that year, and he helped his dad train for the race, which took three weeks to complete.  Thirty-one years later, Mitch Seavey finished the Iditarod in 9 days, 12 hours, and 20 minutes, masterfully winning one of the most closely contested Iditarod races in history.  Mitch will take home a record grand prize of $69,000, a new Dodge RAM pickup valued at over $40,000, and the Joe Redington Sr. Trophy, a ninety-pound bronze sculpture of Father of the Iditarod Joe Redington Sr. and his lead dog "Feets.".

Interestingly, Mitch was not considered by many race reporters to be one of the likely candidates to win this year's event.  But I don't think Mitch really minds the fact that he was a "dark horse."  A simple message in silver script adorns his truck:  "Quietly Making Noise." 

Mitch has worked very closely along with his wife, Janine, and four sons, Danny, Tyrell, Dallas, and Conway, for the last twelve years to build up a world class racing kennel.  For the past seven years, Mitch, Danny, Tyrell, and Dallas have all finished very impressively in many of mushing's most competitive races.  All the while, this mushing family has worked tirelessly to improve their dogs, their kennel management program, their training techniques, and their nutritional program.  Over the years, the Seavey's have quietly built up an incredible dog team, and now that dog team has exploded into the limelight.

Mitch's accomplishment is all the more impressive when one considers the list of Iditarod Champions since 1992.  With the exception of Robert Sorlie, who won last year's race, every Iditarod since 1992 has been won by one of three mushers:  Martin Buser, Jeff King, and Doug Swingley.  Before that, Rick Swenson won five races, and Susan Butcher won four.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that the Iditarod has been ruled by virtual mushing dynasties for most of the last two decades.  The fact that mushers like Robert Sorlie and Mitch Seavey have been able to win the Iditarod is due to a number of reasons, but the bottom line is that these teams have managed to improve their teams faster than their competitors, and as a result, have been able to work their way into the top ranks. 

Perhaps the Seavey family will become the next mushing dynasty.  And if Mitch ever decides to hang up his parka, his sons are eagerly awaiting a chance to drive their dad's dog team.  Both of Mitch's older sons, Danny (21) and Tyrell (19) are accomplished Iditarod mushers in their own right, and Dallas plans to run his first Iditarod next year.  At present, both Danny and Tyrell are students at the University of Montana, but I would wager that you will see both of these third-generation Iditarod mushers back in the race in the next year or two. 

For the time being, however, perhaps we should forget about such speculation.  I'm sure that the Seavey family is perfectly happy to enjoy their first Iditarod victory.  Training for next year doesn't start until this summer...

Don't forget to follow the rest of the teams as they continue their journey to Nome.  Winning the Iditarod is a feat that at times can seem impossible, but the Iditarod is never an easy race for anyone.  The teams following Mitch's tracks to Nome know that well by now, and they deserve a hearty congratulations as well.

I'm off to Nome to congratulate all of the finishers.  Keep in touch,

--Jim Gallea, Iditarod Musher