Mushers lined up to begin the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Saturday, March 7. In competition are three teams from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, including last year’s champion. KYUK’s Johanna Eurich has more from Saturday’s ceremonial start in Anchorage.
For Pete Kaiser, beginning this year's race is a family affair. Relatives surround him as he lines up to run his team through the city. For the ceremonial start, an extra sled, driven by father Ron Kaiser, is attached. In the main sled is his mother, Janet Kaiser, bundled up for the ride.
“I’m in the basket today,” says Janet. “This was my husband’s idea. He thought with Pete going out the champion this year that Pete should have his mom with him. And he kept it a secret till about 10 days ago. For my birthday he said, 'You are the Iditarider with Pete,' and totally blew me away.”
Ron secretly outbid everyone else to put Janet in the champion’s sled. As they wait for their turn in the starting chute, Pete takes stock.
“I think it’s a stronger team than last year; as good or better. Doesn’t mean we’re going to win, but it’s a nice team,” says Pete.
Are the stars aligned for a repeat? Janet thinks that it's a possibility.
“What about picking number nine again? So we’re wondering, hmmm," Janet says, laughing.
Nine is the same bib number Pete drew last year when he won the Iditarod.
A few teams away in the starting lineup is Richie Diehl. Often among the top finishers, the Aniak musher is holding his cards tight this year, saying that he has some inexperienced dogs, but also praising his leader, Viola. She’s small, but along the coast, she sings.
“She’s a really cool, interesting dog,” says Diehl. “Leaving Shaktoolik, she gets fired up. And the last three years going across the ice, Koyuk, she’ll be barking along the way.”
Towards the back of the starting lineup is Jessica Klejka. Bethel's hometown girl and favorite vet looks at her team, thinking that unlike her first year on the trail last winter, she and her dogs know a bit more about the 1,000-mile trek ahead.
“You know what? We have a really, really, good team,” she says, but admits that she’s been struggling. “I’m recovering from a major injury to my knee, but the doctor says I’m 100 percent. Yeah, I’m excited to do some racing.”
All the mushers know that anything can happen, and usually does. This year, the deep snow on both sides of the Alaska Range means that sled dogs may encounter some hungry moose looking for fodder.
“They say that the moose are really aggressive, especially outside of McGrath,” says Klejka. “They say they’re charging snow machines.”
More snow is falling as sled dog teams make their way into the Alaska Range. Predictions are for plenty of cold temperatures ahead on the Iditarod Trail.