OFFICIAL START OF THE 2021 IDITAROD

 MARCH 7, 2021 

OFFICIAL START OF IDITAROD 2021

As the broadcast will not be until 5:30 ET I have awhile to wait so I will fill you in on some of the mushers. Those that might be interesting......

BRENDA MACKEY is a rookie and from the famous winning racing family of Mackeys. Her Dad, Rick Mackey won the race in 1983 with one of his dogs' Fritz. Fritz was  Brenda's first racing dog and so became her very favorite. Her Uncle Lance has won the race 4 times and the Yukon Quest 4 times. Her Grandfather Dick (one of Hanks friends) was one of the founders of the Race. He won the race by one second over Rick Swenson in 1978. Brenda is the first woman Mackey to pursue the mushing life style. She ran the Yukon Quest at 19 years old so she is not a newcomer to racing. Wishing her a good race this year.

SEAN WILLIAMS stepped in last year for JEFF KING after Jeff had emergency surgery a few days before the start of the 2020 race. This year he will start as SEAN WILLIAMS and is excited to run.

DALLAS SEAVEY has won the race SIX TIMES. He didn't race last year but stepped back in this year. He always shows us a good race. His Dad DAN SEAVEY also one of the founders of the race. This is also a well known racing family. One of Dan's sons MITCH SEAVEY has raced and won the race 3 times. His son is DALLAS. DAN SEAVEY befriended Hank and helped us get accommodations in TAKOTNA as there are no hotels there. 

ALIY ZIRKLE is running her last race. She has had 20 finishes--came in 21st last year--but has always been a favorite. Maybe this year will be her swan song. She has won the Yukon Quest. When she finishes this year she will give 75% of her dogs to loving homes and only keep a few 5-6. She has no plans for her future, but will take it as it comes.

Few facts: This year complying with social distancing, the mushers will be in tents for rests and layovers.There are 48 teams this year and 19 that are out. Many are due to COVID issues or concerns. Due to a shorter race and a route not taken before, there will be different avenues to explore and different stragedies to pursue. 

See you at race time.......