Howdy Race Fans!
Iditarod 2020 is underway! Pete and the Team arrived into Anchorage earlier this week to get started on the preliminary events before they head off on the trail to Nome.
First things first- Thanks to Northern Air Cargo for the First Class ride into Anchorage! Always at the ready, NAC got the Team and Sleds into town which is always the kickoff event to the race.
Thank you Northern Air Cargo!
Then it was off to the Veterinary Checks. Sled dog racing is all about dog care and there is none better than the Iditarod Vets. They get blood checks, heart and lung checks, and a physical before the start of the race. Each Team member has a chip to verify them at the start and the finish, but also to make it easier to pull up health records and such. Consider that there are over 600 dogs competing in the race, it has to be very organized for this to happen.
Thursday is Musher Meeting day and then off to a Meet and Greet the Iditarod Fans. Now that Pete is the “Champ” he had a long line of fans waiting to get his autograph and personal photo.
It is a very full day for Pete and the other mushers. The day ends with the traditional Iditarod Musher’s banquet and drawing.
Kaiser Racing had two full tables this year! Pete and Bethany were joined by Gonders and May Hoffman, Ron and Janet Kaiser, Boyuk and Lee Ryan, Sterling Rearden, Rick and Kathy Hanson, Chase and Tillie Powers and Mort came all the way from Norway as well as Colin McDonald and myself. (I think I may have forgotten one 🙂 Fans stopped by as we all had a nice steak dinner and dessert.
The main event is the drawing and this year Pete drew bib number 9 (Again!) It was Pete’s lucky winning number last year and this year he will be wearing it again by the luck of the draw. (Haha!) Super fun to be introduced as the “Defending Champion, Peter Kaiser!”
Today (Friday) is a day off for Teams and Mushers to get organized for the big weekend. There are last minute supplies to find as well as a little downtime with families before being off on the trail for almost 2 weeks.
Tomorrow will find us at the Ceremonial Start at 4th avenue in Anchorage. Please come find us and say hi if you are in town!
