Friday, March 6, 1998
Copyright 1998 Anchorage Daily News
Swenson return spices up Iditarod
A lot of unfinished business
By Doug O'Harra
Daily News Reporter
In the plush hallway of a Spenard hotel, 63 dog drivers hefted dainty crystal full of sparkling cider and champagne. They shook hands with fans, grinned and chattered as they lined up Thursday for the official group photograph of the 26th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to Nome.
A large, tall man sauntered quietly through the commotion. Rarely speaking, his expression calm, the man took his own glass of cider, then moved to the back of the group, as though he were a newcomer to dog mushing and knew his place was at the rear. But the unassuming guy in green wool bibs and Eukanuba cap was no rookie.
Five-time champion Rick Swenson -- the Iditarod's toughest and most brash competitor across three decades -- had returned to the race after a one-year absence for his 22st trip to Nome. "It's like I'm a rookie," he said earlier. "I'm starting all over." In what became one of the race's most ferocious controversies, Swenson was withdrawn in 1996 after a dog named Ariel died in overflow on the Yentna River during the first night of the race. Devastated by his first dog death in 20 races and his subsequent treatment by Iditarod officials, Swenson swore he'd never race again.
But in the uproar that followed, the Iditarod Trail Committee revised the rule and reinstated Swenson. The ordeal left a mellowed and reflective Swenson with a team of young dogs -- and a special mission.
"I just want to finish what we started in '96," he said. "I'm going to carry a portion of Ariel's ashes to Nome."
The return of Swenson -- the master of narrow victories and trail savvy -- may be a harbinger of chaos for a clockwork race that has been dominated by three swift kennels and the fastest huskies in the sport's history.
Defending champ Martin Buser, two-time champ Jeff King and record holder Doug Swingley have won the previous six races -- with one victory each over the past three years. They own the three fastest finish times in race history.
With a rock-hard trail stretching toward the Alaska Range from the restart at Willow -- and a forecast of clear skies and frozen temperatures -- expect the same lightning pace as last year, mushers say.
Defending champ Buser of Big Lake says he's ready to oblige.
"I'm really healthy, I feel real good, and I've got a team of good young dogs," he said Thursday, as he signed autographs.
Buser says he'll return to the trail with his champion leaders, Blondie and Fearless, at the head of a team comprised 100 percent veteran Iditarod dogs.
Swingley, who finished second behind Buser last year, also will drive a team dominated by veterans -- including all 14 dogs his brother, Greg, drove to victory in the Kuskokwim 300.
"It's the best team I've ever driven," said the Montana musher, whose 1995 victory set the race record of nine days, two hours, 42 minutes and 19 seconds.
But chasing the race's royal triumvirate are a pack of rapidly improving contenders, all with dogs capable of mushing 1,100 miles in less than 10 days. The field includes seven of the eight people with the 20 fastest times in race history.
"I think the top three are going to get kicked around a little bit," says 1989 champ Joe Runyan, following the race as a commentator for an Internet web site.
The group includes Willow musher DeeDee Jonrowe, who took fourth last year and holds three of the 20 fastest finish times. Others say former Yukon Quest champ Vern Halter, who took fifth last year, may be poised to seize his first Iditarod victory.
"I think Vern Halter may be the only one who can bust into the big three," says 1984 champ Dean Osmar. "He's just got a whale of a team."
Halter, on his 11th race, with five top-10 finishes, said his 1998 team climaxes years of steady improvement, breeding and hard work.
"They're healthy, well-trained and perform well," he said. "I've got a beautiful team. ... I'm proud of them, and they do look good."
Other top racers who've performed well in races this year or have particularly impressed other dog drivers include Bill Cotter, Ramy Brooks and John Baker. Another dozen mushers are pressing them, including perennial top-10 finisher Tim Osmar.
But several factors could contribute to a shake-up. King and Jonrowe both say they have teams that include many young huskies only now approaching prime racing age.
"I have seven 2-year-olds and nine veterans," King said, a wry smile on his face. "They're going to be really fast. And I think we can keep up with Martin. ... But what I don't know is how far."
"They're my babies," added Jonrowe, racing behind five 2-year-olds herself. "I've spent so much time with them that they're really good friends. ... They're a fun dog team."
Still, with so many teams performing such high levels, anything could happen.
"There is just that little something magic about a winning team," Swenson said. "There are 20 guys sitting here who could do it. One of us is going to have everything come together."
"There are a lot of very good teams out there," added Swingley. "It's not just a three-man race. It's a 63-man race."