Just back from the Musher’s Drawing in Anchorage. Thanks to Team Kaiser for jetting me into Anchorage and giving us a seat at the table this evening. How was it? In a word– Long! There are 65 mushers signed up for this year’s Iditarod. The Number 1 position is always an honorary position that doesn’t count in the positions, so Number 2 leaves first. This year Martin Buser will lead the 65 teams on to the Iditarod Trail.
Pete was the 8th musher to choose for position from the Iditarod mukluk and chose number 10. That is a great position and there were smiles around the table as he announced the number. Tenth position will put him not quite in front so he won’t be breaking trail, but far enough forward that he will be into checkpoints before the masses.
Also in attendance were the 3 other Bethel area teams, Mike Williams Sr (Akiak), Mike Williams Jr(Akiak), and Richie Diehl(Aniak).
Mike Sr. will leave 35th, Mike Jr. 46th, and Richie pulling up the rear in 65th position.
I rented a camera and just pulled it from the box, so apologies up front for some of these photos– We’ll be spending a bit of time with it tomorrow before the great start to get things ironed out. The night was a lot of fun with a fancy dinner of steak and salad and dessert before the drawing began. It was long, lasting from 6pm to just before 11pm as mushers thanked sponsors and signed autographs.
Tomorrow is a free day to give mushers a chance to focus on the Saturday start and tie up loose ends. I’ll be talking with Pete a bit and getting some good interviews to share with y’all!
