Tragic News – Jake Berkowitz Withdrawn

The Iditarod just released this news:

Iditarod Veteran Jake Berkowitz (Bib #29) has been withdrawn from the 2012 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race by Race Marshal Mark Nordman. Berkowitz severely injured his hand while using a knife between Kaltag and Unalakleet. Nordman determined that the injury was severe enough to warrant the decision.

The decision was made at 14:00 AK Time. Berkowitz was in 6th position at the time and still had 14 dogs in his team. He will be flown out of Unalakleet to Anchorage for treatment.


We here at Kaiser Racing Kennel are really saddened by this news. Jake is a class act and he has been a real friend to Pete and the Team. This kind of withdrawl is a tragedy and while we are not judging the Marshall’s decision, we realize how hard it must be for Jake to take this news. We wish him all the luck and positive thoughts at this very hard time. He and his Team were poised to do great things with this race and we appreciate the level of quality he brings to mushing.

 

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3 Responses to Tragic News – Jake Berkowitz Withdrawn

  1. Mya says:

    thanks i needed this 4 school
    wish him good luck

  2. Sheldon Berkowitz says:

    Thanks for your thoughts. I”ve talked with Jacob and a volunteer surgeon in Unalakleet and I think this was the correct decision. I know he and Pete were having a great time together and I hope the rest of the race for Pete is great! – sheldon (jacob’s dad)