We had a great time this morning down on front street watching all 16 teams leave Nome. I’ve got our 40 minute broadcast from KICY that I’m uploading as we speak, it should be available later this afternoon (Nome upload speeds are very slow).
I really loved the organic feel of the start, there were no fences up or anything, and people just formed a chute for the mushers to go down. We had some spotters out on the trail during the broadcast and they were able to send some reports in as mushers entered the sea ice and headed out of Nome. Farley’s Camp (named after ’83 AAS organizer Howard Farley) is just under 3 miles from Nome and already we spotted Cim Smyth having a few troubles with his dogs, having to stop and get them re-orginazed a few times. Sonny Lidner had passed up Cim pretty quickly out of Nome.
I’m also uploading some pictures for you to enjoy of the event. I’ll be checking in with the blog throughout the day and giving information as I receive it. Most of the communication here is done by the local ham radio club, they’ve got repeaters all the way up to Candle and are able to relay exact checkin times and other things happening along the trail.
Come back for the starting audio to be posted, along with the audio update from farley’s camp on Cim Smyth.
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March 27, 2008 at 12:55 am
Hey Josh. My is Jiggs and I live down in Southwest Louisiana. Just 40 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and right on the Louisiana Texas borber. I just want to say thanks for your coverage of the race. This is only my second year of following dog mushing. The Iditarod of 07 was my first race to watch vai internet (which i found by pure accident.) After watching it I’ve fell in love with the sport and have read ALL that I can find on dog mushing and it’s history. I admire your ability to get out and cover the races. I think U are doing a killer job for those of us how don’t have the priviledge of actually being there. Keep up the good work. Have I great time. I do envy U!! and your work. Thanks man