In 1991, Rick Swenson set out from White Mountain to Nome into a snowstorm so severe that other veteran mushers turned back.

"There were times when you couldn't even see the ground," he said later. But he persevered and pressed on to claim his fifth victory. When asked why he kept going through the blizzard, Swenson answered: "Desperation, I guess. I wanted to win the Iditarod."

Swenson always wanted to win the Iditarod.

The Iditarod has never seen a more tenacious competitor. He pays attention to every detail of dog racing, but what sets him apart is his steely determination.

"He was as smart as anyone on the trail and mentally tougher," wrote nominating committee member John Larson in 1997. "He won because he willed it."

The result was an unequaled record, one that has secured Swenson's place at the top of the list of Iditarod champions.

Swenson has won the race five times, more than any other musher. He missed a sixth victory, in 1978, by a single second. He finished among the top five mushers 17 times. Until 2002, when he finished 19th, Swenson's worst finish in 25 years of racing was 11th. Between 1976 and 1995, his average finish was fourth.

This year he goes for a championship in a fourth decade.

"He set the racing standard for almost two decades," Hall of Fame nominating committee member Tim Jones wrote. "He also deserves credit for the improvements in dog care and equipment that he's made over the years."

Members of the public who sent in nominations agreed.

"He is the most deserving musher," wrote George Carnahan.

"Thank you, Rick, for all the great examples you have set over the years of dog mushing and of dog caring," Barbara Romine wrote in a letter nominating Swenson. "You deserve to be inducted into the Iditarod Hall of Fame."

Inducted 1997

Greatest accomplishment

Only five-time winner of the Iditarod. He has 24 top-10 finishes, more than any other musher.

Vital stats

• Born: Willmar, Minn.

• Hometown: Two Rivers

• Age: 54

Best finish

1st -- 1977, '79, '81, '82, '91

Fastest time

2000 -- 9 days, 15 hours, 9 minutes

Record

197610th

19771st

19782nd

19791st

19804th

19811st

19821st

19835th

19846th

19854th

19863rd

19872nd

19882nd

19893rd

19907th

19911st

19924th

19939th

19944th

199510th

1996Withdrawn

199811th

19994th

20008th

20014th

200219th

200311th

20047th

Awards

• Sportsmanship -- 1983, 2002

• First to Yukon -- 1989

• Golden Harness (to outstanding lead dog) -- 1991

• Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian -- 1992, 2004

• Nome to Safety -- 1977, '79, '80

• Most Inspirational -- 1996