Iditarod: Restart in Willow (03-05-2023)

BB and I dropped by Iditarod Race Headquarters at the LakeFront Anchorage the Wednesday before the race to ask about shuttles to the Restart in Willow.   We heard that traffic and parking were bad in Willow.  We also didn't want to chance driving there in case the weather turned bad.  We got good information about the shuttle and learned what facilities would be available for the spectators.  We also saw some interesting trucks parked in the hotel's parking lot.

We (Jack, Ann, BB, Sal) are on the 11:00am shuttle leaving the Lakefront for Willow. We are surprised that the bus is a school bus.  BB and I are disappointed that the windows are dirty as the drive to Willow is scenic and we hoped that Jack and Ann would be able to enjoy the view. Oh, well.  Even with the dirty windows we safely arrive in Willow around 11:45.  We have plenty of time to find a place to watch the 2:00pm Restart. It is a cold but sunny day.  Lots of people.  We can see the mushers and dogs but are not allowed to go near them.  Today everyone gets serious.

Our shuttle bus.

If only the windows were clean!

Here is how a March 5, 2016 post on the Iditarod EDU site describes the Restart:

The restart happens the day after the Ceremonial Start. It usually starts in Willow but that is dependent on the amount of snow in the area. The mood is much more serious. The mushers and teams are preparing for a long race and are very focused. While the fans come to watch the start, they do not mingle among the teams, talk to the mushers or pet the dogs. Instead of an Iditarider, the sleds have a sled bag full of supplies for their journey. And there is no drag sled. The mushers can have up to 16 dogs at the restart. Most mushers do start with 16. Once they leave the restart line, they’re off on their great adventure to Nome.

Note: Rules about number of dogs must have changed.  A musher can start the race with no more than 14 or fewer than 12 dogs. 

PETA is present.  My opinion, that I hope is correct, is that most of the Iditarod mushers are ethical and responsible.  There are some bad apples; however, doesn't every profession have bad apples?   My opinion is heavily influenced by things I've heard about Nicolas Petit. I asked 2 of his crew at the Mushers Gala Banquet what they thought of PETA's view of the Iditarod and sled dog races in general.  They went into detail describing how Nick takes care of his dogs.  One of the crew members said she originally worked in animal rescue and had a low opinion of sled dog racing.  Getting to know Nick and then working with him and his dogs changed her mind.  She said Nick has dropped out of or scratched from races because his dogs  weren't feeling it or he could tell they weren't having fun.   I am following Nick during the Iditarod.  The first few days he was in the top 10 but dropped down to 17th position as the race went on.   During an interview I listened as Nick said a couple of his dogs were thinner than he wanted them to be.  He said he wasn't in the race anymore; instead he is out for a run with his dogs.  He made the choice to slow his pace down for the benefit of his dogs.

PETA.

We cheer for Nicolas Petit and Hunter Keefe.  We watch 25 or 26 of the 32 mushers start.  We begin making our way back toward the buses.  The buses back are first come first served and we want to be on the 4:00 bus back to Anchorage.  We do get on the 4:00 bus and while the windows aren't clean they are not as dirty as the bus windows on the ride out.

Sal, BB and Ann.

Eddie Burke.

Bridgett Watkins.

Jason Mackey.

Sal