Outdoors/Adventure

World's longest, toughest snowmachine race attracts 33 teams at early sign-up

Thirty-three teams have entered the world's longest and toughest snowmachine race that starts on Fourth Avenue in Anchorage on Feb. 18. Signups continue through the end of the month.

Among the racers signing up for the 2,000-mile Iron Dog from Big Lake to Nome to Fairbanks are defending champions Tyson Johnson of Eagle River and Tyler Aklestad of Palmer.

Other former champions looking to reclaim the glory of a championship include Chris Olds of Eagle River, racing with Mike Morgan of Anchorage; Todd Palin, racing with fellow Wasilla resident Dakota Meyer; Todd Minnick and Nick Olstad of Wasilla; Dusty VanMeter of Kasilof, racing with Chad Gueco of Wasilla.

Recent champs who haven't signed up yet include Scott Faeo and Eric Quam, the 2015 winners; Marc McKenna, a champion in 2013, 2012 and 2008; and the retired Scott Davis, who shares the record for most Iron Dog victories with Faeo's father, John.

Forty-one teams started this year's race, with 23 finishing.

Of those signed up for 2017, there are nine all-rookie teams among 28 rookies and 15 racers from out of state

Fall Boat Show coming

The Fall Boat Show runs Oct. 21-29 at the Northway Mall, featuring more than 40 models and end-of-season discounts.

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[Boat show details]

Also, the Anchorage Boating show has been tabbed as the No. 8 boat show in America by AmericanTowns Media. The show takes place in February at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage.

Be safe in snow this winter

A snow safety summit early next month will bring together staffers from the Alaska Avalanche Information Center, the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, the Alaska Avalanche School, ski resorts and heli-ski companies.

"We've all heard the funding crisis is impacting every aspect of the state," Debra McGhan of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center said in a press release. "But Mother Nature doesn't care. This is Alaska, and despite changes in global weather, the snow will still fall from the sky, people will still want to get out and play in it, and there is a high chance some people will die."

The three-day summit culminates in a free 11 a.m.-3 p.m. session at Loussac Library, where the public can meet the snow specialists and forecasters.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell was a longtime editor for Alaska Dispatch News, and before that, the Anchorage Daily News.

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