Complete Junior Iditarod Race Coverage

The Race is On!

Saturday, February 23, 2002 5 PM

The first musher left the starting line at Settler's Bay at 10 AM this morning.  The weather was clear with only a few small clouds in the sky, and the trails out of the starting line were very hard and fast.  

Tyrell Seavey readies his team at the starting line.

Everyone seemed very excited to get out on the trail, and a lot of cheerful kidding and joking was heard between the trucks parked in the staging area.  Especially notable was the banter between members of the King and Seavey teams.  This of course is due to the fact that Tyrell Seavey and Cali King, last year's first and second place teams, respectively, are two of the favorites in this year's race.  

But King and Tyrell Seavey are not the only mushers to look for in the top positions.  Max Kornmuller was fourth in last year's race, and will likely be aiming higher this year.  Ellie Claus, Hannah Moderow, Dallas Seavey, and Adam Beebe are also contenders.  And above all, in a field of 11 rookies and 8 veterans, the only certainty is that there will be a few surprises.

Jordan Lolly has his game face on as he leaves the starting line at Settler's Bay near Knik.  Jordan is from Kennesaw, Georgia

Stay tuned as the race unfolds.

From Knik, Jim Gallea, Ultimate Iditarod

© 2002 Ultimate Iditarod, Snowcrest Racing Sled Dogs, Seavey's Iditarod Racing Team
Reproduction or distribution in any way or by any means prohibited without permission.
Ultimate Iditarod http://www.ultimateiditarod.com  email: dogboy@ultimateiditarod.com