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The Iditarod The Iditarod Last Great Race on Last Great Race on Earth” Earth”

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The Iditarod. “Last Great Race on Earth”. The Last Great Race on Earth. 1150 Miles (length from Eau Claire to Florida) of rough terrain, mountain ranges, frozen rivers, forests and tundra Race lasts 10-17 days. What were the reasons the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was started?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: The Iditarod

The IditarodThe Iditarod

““Last Great Race on Last Great Race on Earth”Earth”

Page 2: The Iditarod

The Last Great Race on EarthThe Last Great Race on Earth

► 1150 Miles (length 1150 Miles (length from Eau Claire to from Eau Claire to Florida) of rough Florida) of rough terrain, mountain terrain, mountain ranges, frozen rivers, ranges, frozen rivers, forests and tundraforests and tundra

► Race lasts 10-17 Race lasts 10-17 daysdays

Page 3: The Iditarod

What were the reasons the What were the reasons the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

was started?was started?        For six thousand years, sled dogs have For six thousand years, sled dogs have

served as the main form of transportation for served as the main form of transportation for the native peoples of the north.  As white the native peoples of the north.  As white settlers, gold miners, and fur trappers moved settlers, gold miners, and fur trappers moved into Alaska and northern Canada, they used the into Alaska and northern Canada, they used the dog team for winter transportation.  The dogs dog team for winter transportation.  The dogs and mushers delivered mail and supplies when and mushers delivered mail and supplies when the gold camps needed deliveries during the the gold camps needed deliveries during the winter months.  One of the major routes winter months.  One of the major routes followed by the teams was the Iditarod Trail. followed by the teams was the Iditarod Trail.                    

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What were the reasons the What were the reasons the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

was started? (continued)was started? (continued)

In the winter of 1925, a diphtheria In the winter of 1925, a diphtheria epidemic struck Nome.  The anti-serum epidemic struck Nome.  The anti-serum required to stop the epidemic needed get required to stop the epidemic needed get to Nome quickly, but no roads to Nome to Nome quickly, but no roads to Nome existed, ships could not sail through the existed, ships could not sail through the packed ice, and air travel was too packed ice, and air travel was too dangerous.  The Iditarod Trail was the dangerous.  The Iditarod Trail was the only answer, and a group of 18 dog teams only answer, and a group of 18 dog teams and mushers moved the serum 674 miles and mushers moved the serum 674 miles from Nenana to Nome.  This is the well-from Nenana to Nome.  This is the well-known story of Balto.known story of Balto.

Page 5: The Iditarod

What were the reasons the What were the reasons the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

was started? (continued)was started? (continued)

Sled dogs began to disappear as Sled dogs began to disappear as snowmobiles, airplanes, and roads arrived snowmobiles, airplanes, and roads arrived in Alaska during the middle 20th century.  in Alaska during the middle 20th century.  Then Joe Redington Sr. and a group of Then Joe Redington Sr. and a group of mushers worked together to start a race mushers worked together to start a race across Alaska that followed the old across Alaska that followed the old Iditarod Trail.  This race was the Iditarod Iditarod Trail.  This race was the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and it has become Trail Sled Dog Race, and it has become the world's most famous sled dog race the world's most famous sled dog race since its first running in 1973.  since its first running in 1973. 

Page 6: The Iditarod

What does the word Iditarod What does the word Iditarod mean?mean?

Iditarod is believed to come from Iditarod is believed to come from an Athabaskan Indian word an Athabaskan Indian word pronounced "Hi-dit-a-rod."  There are pronounced "Hi-dit-a-rod."  There are many translations for this word, but the many translations for this word, but the most widely accepted meaning is "a most widely accepted meaning is "a distant or far off place."  The town of distant or far off place."  The town of Iditarod was built on the banks of the Iditarod was built on the banks of the Iditarod River, and the trails leading to Iditarod River, and the trails leading to Iditarod from Seward and Nome were Iditarod from Seward and Nome were collectively known as the Iditarod Trail.collectively known as the Iditarod Trail.

Page 7: The Iditarod

Do the dogs like pulling?Do the dogs like pulling?

       Absolutely!  The dogs have been Absolutely!  The dogs have been born and bred to pull for thousands of born and bred to pull for thousands of years.  Sled dogs don't know how to years.  Sled dogs don't know how to catch a Frisbee or fetch a stick like labs catch a Frisbee or fetch a stick like labs and retrievers.  Their play time is when and retrievers.  Their play time is when they are running.  Working together in they are running.  Working together in the teams is an instinct believed to be the teams is an instinct believed to be related to the instinct that wolves have related to the instinct that wolves have to hunt and travel together in packs. to hunt and travel together in packs. 

Page 8: The Iditarod

What do the dogs eat?What do the dogs eat?

       The first answer is: a lot!  Each dog The first answer is: a lot!  Each dog consumes 10-14,000 calories every day consumes 10-14,000 calories every day during the Iditarod.  Protein is essential to during the Iditarod.  Protein is essential to help the dogs maintain strong, firm help the dogs maintain strong, firm muscles and a good coat.muscles and a good coat.      

Page 9: The Iditarod

What do the dogs eat? What do the dogs eat? (continued)(continued)

Most mushers feed a combination of Most mushers feed a combination of high fat, high protein dry dog food plus high fat, high protein dry dog food plus raw meats and fats from sources raw meats and fats from sources including beef, horse, lamb, fish, seal, including beef, horse, lamb, fish, seal, moose, and other wild game.moose, and other wild game.    A typical meal for a sled dog is about     A typical meal for a sled dog is about 2/3 of a pound of dry dog food, a pound 2/3 of a pound of dry dog food, a pound of meat, up to a half a pound of fat, and of meat, up to a half a pound of fat, and about a quart of water.about a quart of water.

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How many dogs are used in an How many dogs are used in an Iditarod Team?Iditarod Team?   

The race rules require that teams The race rules require that teams begin the race with between 12 and 16 begin the race with between 12 and 16 dogs.  Remember, a dog can be sent dogs.  Remember, a dog can be sent home from the trail if needs be, but it home from the trail if needs be, but it can not be put back in the team later can not be put back in the team later on in the race or replaced with another on in the race or replaced with another dog.  Most teams finish with between 8 dog.  Most teams finish with between 8 and 12 dogs.  The mandatory and 12 dogs.  The mandatory minimum in the race rules is 5 dogs.minimum in the race rules is 5 dogs.

  

Dog Sled Team

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Dog Sled Team(continued)

Do the dogs always run in the same Do the dogs always run in the same position in the team?position in the team?   

No, most dogs are very flexible, and, in No, most dogs are very flexible, and, in fact, mushers want their dogs to be as fact, mushers want their dogs to be as versatile as possible.  This versatility allows versatile as possible.  This versatility allows mushers to switch the dogs in and out of mushers to switch the dogs in and out of different positions.  Rotating dogs through different positions.  Rotating dogs through these positions spreads this additional duty these positions spreads this additional duty across all the dogs.  Not every dog wants to across all the dogs.  Not every dog wants to run in front.  Some dogs prefer to follow the tail run in front.  Some dogs prefer to follow the tail of the dog in front of them, but other dogs don't of the dog in front of them, but other dogs don't mind the mental challenge of being a lead dog.mind the mental challenge of being a lead dog.

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Dog Sled Team (continued)

What do Swing Dogs and Team Dogs What do Swing Dogs and Team Dogs do?do?  

Swing dogs help the leaders set the pace and Swing dogs help the leaders set the pace and help in turning the team.  If only the leaders help in turning the team.  If only the leaders wanted to turn in the direction of the musher's wanted to turn in the direction of the musher's commands, the team may not turn, so the swing commands, the team may not turn, so the swing dogs back the leaders up in these cases.  The dogs back the leaders up in these cases.  The job of team dogs is to follow the dog in front of job of team dogs is to follow the dog in front of them and steadily pull.  They provide the them and steadily pull.  They provide the "horsepower.“"horsepower.“

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What kind of dogs are used What kind of dogs are used in the Iditarod?in the Iditarod?

       The most commonly used dog in the Iditarod is the The most commonly used dog in the Iditarod is the Alaskan Alaskan HuskyHusky which is actually a mixed breed, or mutt, dog that is born which is actually a mixed breed, or mutt, dog that is born and bred to love to pull.    and bred to love to pull.            Beginning 150 years ago, white settlers, gold miners, and Beginning 150 years ago, white settlers, gold miners, and fur trappers moved into the northland and brought their own dogs fur trappers moved into the northland and brought their own dogs with them.  These dogs were a hodge-podge mix of larger breed with them.  These dogs were a hodge-podge mix of larger breed dogs that were not raised and bred for pulling.  As a result, these dogs that were not raised and bred for pulling.  As a result, these dogs didn't do very well, but as these dogs interbred with the dogs didn't do very well, but as these dogs interbred with the native sled dogs, the resulting dogs were excellent sled dogs, and native sled dogs, the resulting dogs were excellent sled dogs, and the original "mutt" Alaskan Husky was born. the original "mutt" Alaskan Husky was born.        

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What is a Musher?What is a Musher?► A person who travels A person who travels

with dogs over a trail.with dogs over a trail.► They can ride on the They can ride on the

dogsled or dogsled or sometimes they can sometimes they can run along side of the run along side of the dogsleddogsled

► Mushers come from Mushers come from all walks of lifeall walks of life

► #1 rule for mushers: #1 rule for mushers: DO DO NOTNOT LET GO! LET GO!

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… … On the trail …On the trail …

► Every musher is different – some run their Every musher is different – some run their dogs during the day, some run them at nightdogs during the day, some run them at night

► Each musher has their own idea on how to Each musher has their own idea on how to train, feed and motivate their dogs so they train, feed and motivate their dogs so they can succeed in the racecan succeed in the race

► Mushers must follow specific rules about the Mushers must follow specific rules about the racerace Each team must have : an arctic parka, a heavy Each team must have : an arctic parka, a heavy

sleeping bag, an ax, snowshoes, musher food, dog sleeping bag, an ax, snowshoes, musher food, dog food and boots for each dog’s feet to protect food and boots for each dog’s feet to protect against cutting ice and hard packed snow injuriesagainst cutting ice and hard packed snow injuries

Page 16: The Iditarod

Mushing TermsMushing TermsBootiesBooties - A type of sock that is made to protect the - A type of sock that is made to protect the

dog’s feet from small cuts and sores dog’s feet from small cuts and sores

GeeGee - Command for right turn - Command for right turn

HawHaw - Command for left turn - Command for left turn

MushMush - Command to start the team or tell the team - Command to start the team or tell the team to go fasterto go faster

PedalingPedaling - Pushing the sled with one foot while the - Pushing the sled with one foot while the other remains on the runner other remains on the runner

Swing DogSwing Dog - Dog that runs directly behind the - Dog that runs directly behind the leader leader

WheelersWheelers - Dogs placed directly in front of the sled. - Dogs placed directly in front of the sled. Their job is to pull the sled out and around corners Their job is to pull the sled out and around corners or trees. They are usually the strongest dogs on or trees. They are usually the strongest dogs on the team the team

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EquipmentEquipment

RunnersRunners--the skis that slide along the --the skis that slide along the snow and support the rest of the snow and support the rest of the

sled.sled.  

Cargo BedCargo Bed--the portion of the sled designed for --the portion of the sled designed for carrying the load. carrying the load. BrushbowBrushbow--the "bumper" of the sled that deflects --the "bumper" of the sled that deflects trees and brush and takes hits in collisions. trees and brush and takes hits in collisions. FootboardsFootboards--the narrow boards mounted on the --the narrow boards mounted on the ends of the runners where the musher stands. ends of the runners where the musher stands. BrakeBrake--The brake is an aluminum or steel bar in a --The brake is an aluminum or steel bar in a U-shape.  Two metal claws hang down from the U-shape.  Two metal claws hang down from the bar.  When the bar is stepped on, the claws dig bar.  When the bar is stepped on, the claws dig into the snow to slow and stop the team. into the snow to slow and stop the team.

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Equipment, continuedEquipment, continuedAxeAxe--Not only can it be used to cut wood to make a fire, the axe --Not only can it be used to cut wood to make a fire, the axe

can also be used to cut holes in ice to get water, fix broken sleds, can also be used to cut holes in ice to get water, fix broken sleds, splint broken sled splint broken sled stanchionsstanchions, cut frozen dog food, and more. , cut frozen dog food, and more.

Snowshoes w/ BindingsSnowshoes w/ Bindings--allows a person to walk on top of lots of --allows a person to walk on top of lots of deep, powdery snow and pack down a trail. deep, powdery snow and pack down a trail. 

Cold Weather Sleeping BagCold Weather Sleeping Bag--mushers make good use of their --mushers make good use of their sleeping bags whenever the chance for a few minutes' sleep sleeping bags whenever the chance for a few minutes' sleep arises. arises.

Stove and Water Pot (cooker)Stove and Water Pot (cooker)--the dogs require a lot of water, --the dogs require a lot of water, and the primary source of this water is the snow.  These and the primary source of this water is the snow.  These "cookers" can melt up to 4 gallons of snow and heat it to boiling "cookers" can melt up to 4 gallons of snow and heat it to boiling water in just over 30 minutes. water in just over 30 minutes. 

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Past WinnersPast WinnersYearYear MusherMusher City, State, CountryCity, State, Country20002000 Doug SwingleyDoug Swingley Lincoln, Lincoln,

Montana, USAMontana, USA

2001 2001 Doug Swingley Doug Swingley Lincoln, Montana, Lincoln, Montana, USAUSA

20022002 Martin BuserMartin Buser Big Lake, AK, USABig Lake, AK, USA

20032003 Robert Sorlie Robert Sorlie Hurdal, NorwayHurdal, Norway

20042004 Mitch SeaveyMitch Seavey Seward, AK, USASeward, AK, USA

20052005 Robert SorlieRobert Sorlie Hurdal, NorwayHurdal, Norway

20062006 Jeff KingJeff King Denali, AK, USADenali, AK, USA

20072007 Lance MackeyLance Mackey Fairbanks, AK, USAFairbanks, AK, USA

20082008 Lance Mackey Lance Mackey Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USAAK, USA

2009 Lance Mackey Fairbanks, AK, USA2009 Lance Mackey Fairbanks, AK, USA

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Iditarod RecordsIditarod Records

MusherYear(s)MusherYear(s) RecordRecordMartin Buser 2002Martin Buser 2002 Fastest Winning TimeFastest Winning Time

Rick Swenson Rick Swenson 77-79-81-82-9177-79-81-82-91 Most Times Won - Five Most Times Won - Five (5)(5)

Mary Shields 1974Mary Shields 1974 First Woman to FinishFirst Woman to Finish

Libby Riddles 1985Libby Riddles 1985 First Woman to WinFirst Woman to Win

Doug Swingley 1995Doug Swingley 1995 First Musher from First Musher from Outside of Outside of Alaska to WinAlaska to Win

Robert Sorlie 2003Robert Sorlie 2003 First Musher from First Musher from Overseas Overseas to Winto Win

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2005 Iditarod Prizes2005 Iditarod Prizes1st$72,066.671st$72,066.67 9th$32,377.78 9th$32,377.782nd$65,800.00 2nd$65,800.00 10th$29,244.4410th$29,244.44

3rd$59,533.33 3rd$59,533.33 11th$26,111.1111th$26,111.114th$52,222.22 4th$52,222.22 12th$22,977.7812th$22,977.785th$45,955.56 5th$45,955.56 13th$20,888.8913th$20,888.89

6th$41,777.786th$41,777.78 14th$18,800.0014th$18,800.007th$38,644.44 7th$38,644.44 15th$17,755.5615th$17,755.56

8th$35,511.118th$35,511.11 16th$16,711.1116th$16,711.11

Total Top Thirty $705,000.00Total Top Thirty $705,000.00Remaining Finishers $45,107.00Remaining Finishers $45,107.00

Total Purse $750,107.00 Total Purse $750,107.00

Page 22: The Iditarod

WebsitesWebsites

http://www.adn.com/iditarod/

http://www.iditarod.com/

http://www.ultimateiditarod.com/http://www.ultimateiditarod.com/iditarodadultsF.htmiditarodadultsF.htm