Category Archives: 2017 Iditarod

A warm bed was hard to leave this morning as we looked at the temperature reading out on our phones. Pete and the Team, with Ari, Bethany, and Ron, made the trip up to near their place in Nenana, while the rest of the Pit Crew rode Alaska Airlines and are here in Fairbanks.

The sun is slowly rising as well as Pete and Ron are readying the Team for the short 30 minute ride into town for this morning’s 2017 Iditarod Start.

This was what we had heard- Clear and Cold. Here in Interior Alaska the sun is a real bonus and temperatures will rise slowly to an expected -5 high for today. Pete and the Team will be leaving the Starting Line at 10:50am, so if you are in Fairbanks, bundle up and join us to send off the Team!

Today’s run will take Pete and the Team down the Chena River towards the Nenana River and down the trail to Nenana, where we will meet him and give him his first Checkpoint bag. This is the unique part of a Fairbanks Start, where Pit Crews meet their Teams in the Nenana Checkpoint. It’s about a 50 mile ride to Nenana for us, but a 60 mile run over the river trail.

Of course I’ll have photos and more from today, but expect a bit of a blackout as we speed here and there supporting Pete and the Team.

The Iditarod Insider will have the live start, so if you are a subscriber, make sure to tune in!

Go Team Kaiser!!

As I was making my way down to the Ceremonial Start this morning, I’ll have to admit I was thinking about the cold and the lack of coffee. After 7 Starts in Anchorage, it isn’t old stuff, but we at Kaiser Racing have begun to have somewhat of a routine. But then the magic happens… The sound of the dogs, the excitement of the fans, and soon, without notice or regard, you begin to realize that THIS is why we race. Surely mushing is a solitary sport, but this magic morning once a year brings us face to face with cheering fans and thousands of people sharing the love for dogs and Alaska.

I think this was one of the most fun in recent memory. The weather began a bit cold, but once the sun rose, the temperatures rose as did the fever pitch of dog sled racing. Granted this section of the race is meaningless to winning and completing, but this morning was special and as our Iditarider ,Hannah Pedersen from Washington, said, “I can’t quite put words to it, but it was OUTSTANDING!!”

Here are the Ceremonial Start line photos for Team Kaiser 2017! I have quite a bit of content to share so stay tuned. Videos, and photos from the Campbell Creek checkpoint are coming soon also.

A moment before the excitement

Insider Interview

Thanks Northern Air Cargo

Handing out bibs

Urine samples

Urine Samples

MicroChip Check

Certifying MicroChips

North Dakota Teacher has students following Team Kaiser

Our Fabulous Dog Magician- Nik Wikstrand

Iditarider Hannah Pedersen

Thanks Northern Air Cargo

Family and Friends

News Interview

The MAN!

Bethanny and Ari

Facebook Live Interview

Thanks Donlin Gold

Little Ava and Chase

Goofin around

Happy Reunions

Berube’s from Canada

Danny Twitchell and Family

Go Team Kaiser

The Race Sled

Wives meetup

Let’s get this show on the road

Family Photo

Loving them dogs

Andy and Kurt

The Donlin Crew

Thanks Donlin Gold

Rick Hanson – Always there for us!

Kids love dogs

Lillian, Doug, and friend.

What a motley crew

Lucky 25

Kids, Kids, Kids

Berube’s – Go Team Kaiser

A bit of a break. Can’t wait to go.

The happy couple.

With a ring to prove it!

Happy Fans!

Brother and Sister

Iditarider Loadup

Nice and Comfy

String ’em out!

Sterling at the Lead

Rarin’ to go

What a beautiful Dog Team

On 4th Avenue

Ready!

Mr. Kaiser

Go!

Underway to the Start

Hannah Pedersen – Iditarider

The Patriarch of the Team

Team Kaiser

Iditarod’s Most Photographed Man

Just a bit more

At the line

Happy to be going

Film Crews Everywhere

Annual Meeting with the Governor

2017 Iditarod Starting Line

GO GO GO

Off at 10:50am

Clean Start

Nice Team

Pete and Nik and the Team off for a quick run

Wave to the crowds

And they’re off!