Iditablog's Mushers to Watch in 2010

Now that the pomp and circumstance of the Iditarod’s Ceremonial Start in downtown Anchorage is over the real race can begin. We asked several days ago who you thought was going to win, today we’re going to breakdown the field of top competitors and later on give you the chance to share with us your top ten predictions.

The field of Iditarod competitors is huge, just as it has been for several years now. Jeff King is looking to end his Iditarod career with a record-tying 5th victory, Martin Buser isn’t retiring but he’d like that win this year as well and Lance Mackey would like a record breaking 4th consecutive win out of Iditarod 2010. In addition to those guys you have a class of younger mushers that are looking for their turn in the spotlight after paying their dues for such a long time. These mushers have multiple top ten finishes and don’t need much prodding to edge them into Iditarod greatness and come away with a victory.

In alphabetical order, here is a brief listing of the “Iditablog Mushers to Watch”

1. John Baker – in nearly 15 years John Baker has only finished out of the top ten four times, and he is coming off of not only a 3rd place finish in last year’s Iditarod – but also a championship in January’s very competitive Kusko 300. Baker is the guy all the other mushers have their eye on.

2. Jason Barron – Living in Montana Barron doesn’t come out for the race every year, but when he does he places well.

3. Martin Buser – Looking to become Iditarod’s second five time champion won’t be easy. Since winning in 2002 Buser hasn’t placed higher than fourth, but he’s always competitive and in the race to win.

4. Hans Gatt – In what will most likely be Gatt’s final Iditarod appearance, this 4-time Yukon Quest reigning champion will be looking for his first Iditarod win. He beat a lot of good teams earlier this month in another 1,000 mile race, will he pull a “Lance Mackey” and win both in the same year?

5. Paul Gebhardt – “Always a bridesmaid but never a bride” is what was said of Gebhardt after the second runner-up finish of his career in 2007. He’s got the insight, the training, and the dogs – we’ll see if 2010 is his time.

6. DeeDee Jonrowe – a perennial fan favorite across the globe, Jonrowe told us at the ceremonial start in Anchorage on Saturday that she thought her team had what it would take to come home with her first Iditarod Championship.

7. Jeff King – Always the master inventor, Jeff King went from sled modifications to actual dog sled race this year as he introduced the “Denali Doubles” event this past February. After announcing his Iditarod retirement a few weeks ago, King has made sure that everyone knows he won’t be using this year as a “farewell tour” like Doug Swingly once did after he announced his retirement.

8. Lance Mackey – He’s done the impossible so many times in his 9 year-old Iditarod career, we’ll see if he can do it again in 2010 with 4 wins in a row.

9. Hugh Neff – Coming out of another strong year in the Yukon Quest, Neff keeps showing us and his competitors that we need to keep our eye on him.

10. Sebastian Schnuelle – If it hadn’t been for the stormy trail conditions on the coast during last year’s Iditarod Sebastian Schnuelle might have had a good shot at winning two 1,000 mile races in the same year. His team is stronger than ever and he’s looking to improve upon his 2009 second place finish.

11. Dallas Seavey – If coming in 6th place wasn’t enough last year, Seavey went out and bought the 8th place team from Aaron Burmeister… we can now only assume he has created a “Super Team.”

12. Mitch Seavey (or “Father of Super Team” as I now call him) had an impressive 4th place finish in 2009 and looks for his second win as he says he will be driving his strongest dogs ever.

13. & 14. Cim & Ramey Smyth – It’s hard living in your brother’s shadow, but with the Smyth brothers it isn’t clear who is living in who’s shadow. Both of them had top ten finishes last year, and while Ramey has gotten more buzz in years past it’s clear that both Smyths are worth watching in 2010.

15. Zack Steer – Another musher who doesn’t enter the Iditarod every year, but when he does – does it well. Steer placed 3rd in 2007 and is back to reclaim a spot in the top ten this year.