Ultimate Iditarod Update

Wow, it is cold this morning! Besides the quarter-inch of frost on everything there is also an inch of ice in all the dogs bowls. The dogs really love this kind of weather. The cooler temperatures make it easier for them to run so they are really jazzed about it. For us mushers it makes it a little harder because your hands get wet from the frost and then they start freezing to the snaps and gear as you harness the team, but we really are excited because it means that winter is fast approaching.

In the 2001 Iditarod, the Seavey kennel fielded three Iditarod teams. Those teams were driven by Mitch (left), Danny (right of center), and Dan (far right). This represented three generations of mushers from the Seavey family. This was the first time in the history of the Iditarod that three generations from the same family competed in the same race. Additionally, Tyrell Seavey (left of center) won the Junior Iditarod racing a fourth team from the Seavey kennel.

We have increased the dog’s runs to an 8 1/2-mile course, which they are handling easily, so we will be increasing again soon. They dogs are now split into three teams, two of fifteen and one of sixteen. Two of the teams are all male dogs and the other is an all female team. Though they all perform equally it saves a few distractions if they are separated at this stage of their training. From these forty-six dogs, we will field one Jr. Iditarod team for myself and my dad’s competitive Iditarod team.

The team my younger brother, Dallas, will be running in the Jr. is going to come from the young dogs that I mentioned in my previous article. They will be just eighteen months at the time of the race so the can’t be raced competitively but it will be a good learning experience for both Dallas and the puppies. The Jr. Iditarod is 160 miles, and when racing it you go out eighty miles then camp for a mandatory eleven-hour rest before returning home. Eighty miles is a long run for even an experienced dog team so Dallas will be taking it easy and resting on both legs of the trail.

Duncan, one of the Seavey family's main lead dogs, resting in McGrath during the 1999 Iditarod. Notice the coat that Duncan is wearing. The dogs have thick fur that is extremely insulating, but the coats are nice at rest stops to help the dogs conserve energy.

Dolphin standing at attention minutes after finishing her eighth Iditarod in 2001. Dolphin has led across the finish line in many of her eight finishes, including in 1998 when she helped Mitch place 4th.

I am always being asked who my lead dogs are, so here is a list of our main lead dogs for the “A” team: Ginger, Duncan, Blue, Turbo, Jack, Buck, Jade, Finbar, Tread, Cobra and Doo Dah. Duncan and Blue were my lead dogs from last year’s Jr. Iditarod team so they are my favorites for this year. Many of you who came to our tours this summer met Dolphin, a dog who has been our main lead for many years. You notice she is not on the above list, and that is because, at nine years old, she is being retired as a house dog. Right now she is pregnant with her second litter of pups.

That’s all for now. I’ll keep you posted on the team and on Dolphin’s upcoming litter.