Alaska’s newest sled dog race breaks new trail

Hayden Caron mushes on the Tanana River during the 110-mile T-Dog race on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Fairbanks. The Tanana Valley Sled Dog Races is Alaska's newest dog sled race, organized by 4-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher's daughter, Tekla Butcher-Monson.

Skijorers make their way down the Tanana River during the 50-mile T-Dog race on Saturday. The T-Dog is the brainchild of Tekla Butcher-Monson, daughter of four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher. Butcher-Monson, whose nickname is also T-Dog, designed a series of three races — 50- and 110-mile multisport races, and a 200-mile mushing-only Iditarod qualifier.

When asked about the format of the T-Dog 200, where the first half of the race isn’t timed, King pointed out that it’s a style that has worked in the past, even for highly competitive races. “The Coldfoot Classic in the ‘90s, late ‘80s, was dreamed up by Dick Mackey because the wouldn’t let us race through the park,” he said. “So he goes, ‘OK, the race starts in Anaktuvuk Pass, and we won’t race while we’re going through the park, we’ll just race when we get to the other side of the park.

Fellow Iditarod finisher Bridgett Watkins disagrees with King on what the Iditarod might learn from the laid-back format of the T-Dog. “The Iditarod’s a different race,” she said. “It’d be like saying, ‘Do you think the Super Bowl can change?’ Not that it can’t, but should it? It’s just that it is what it is. The Super Bowl is the Super Bowl, the Iditarod is the Iditarod.”

Erin Altemus mushes alongside Tudor Road during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod on March 2, 2024 in Anchorage. Dogs in Keira Irish's team prepare to leave the dog yard after a 4-hour rest near the halfway point of the 110-mile T-Dog race on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Nenana. The Tanana Valley Sled Dog Races is Alaska's newest dog sled race, organized by 4-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher's daughter, Tekla Butcher-Monson.

Emma Lewis waves as she mushes along the Tanana River after a 4-hour rest near the halfway point of the 110-mile race in Nenana. First across the line was the shirtless Fairbanks musher Sean de Wolski, who skijored with four of his canine athletes. De Wolski smoked the competition in the weekend’s shortest race, finishing 28 minutes ahead of the first musher, 16-year-old Tori Boulding. Afterwards he gave most of the credit for his win to his dogs.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Scream Break haunted event returns to Six Flags Magic Mountain this Spring BreakThe after-hours horrorfest will mix Fright Fest fears with Spring Break beers.
Source: ladailynews - 🏆 332. / 59 Read more »

San Antonio Zoo presents Jungle Boogie Break: wild Spring Break fun!SAN ANTONIO - “Jungle Boogie Break - A Wild Spring Break Celebration!” brings wild spring break fun to the San Antonio Zoo from March 9 to March 17!Starting Sun
Source: News4SA - 🏆 251. / 63 Read more »

Miami Beach is trying to break up with spring breakMiami Beach is trying to break up with spring break, but it’s not yet clear whether spring break will take the hint. After three consecutive years of spring break violence, Miami Beach officials are implementing monthlong security measures aimed at curbing the chaos.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »

‘You have to take the easy stuff away’: Why Warriors need to clean up transition defenseSince the All-Star break, Golden State ranks 25th in opponent fast break scoring.
Source: mercnews - 🏆 88. / 68 Read more »

BBB warns public about rise in spring break scamsMonde Donaldson with the Better Business Bureau warns against falling victim to fraudulent schemes targeting unsuspecting travelers.
Source: FOX10News - 🏆 581. / 51 Read more »

Joe Sakic documentary coming to ESPN+, Amazon PrimeO'Connor has missed six games since the All-Star break all related to the injury.
Source: 9NEWS - 🏆 238. / 63 Read more »