What famed contest kicks off today in Alaska; and, how will it be different this year?

Trooper2196

Iditarod For the 2012 race, after July 1, 2009, a musher must complete two (2) 300 mile qualifiers and another approved qualifier for a total of 750 miles to be qualified. The completion requirements are that a musher must finish either within the top 75% of the field or in an elapsed time of no more than twice the time of the winner. http://www.iditarod.com/pdfs/2010/rules.pdf Mar 08 10, 8:07 AM

gtho4

a. report cards rating rookie teams b. drug tests will be extended from the dogs to the humans as well Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race organizers tightened entry requirements for rookies this year following an unusually high number of dog deaths in 2009, the chief veterinarian for the race said Wednesday ... Six dogs died in 2009. That includes two that were hypothermic and one from a healthy team that was apparently killed during a turbulent plane ride, Nelson said ... Beginning with this year's race, mushers new to the Iditarod are now rated by veterinarians and race marshals in their qualifying races on dog care and general trail competence, Nelson said. The report cards go to a qualifying review board, which decides whether mushers need more race experience before competing in the Iditarod, Nelson said ... Based on the new performance reviews, the review board earlier decided four rookie mushers who had sought to run the Iditarod should run additional races before taking on the 2010 Iditarod, race marshal Mark Nordman said ... The Iditarod's new drug-testing policy for mushers will apply to every competitor, with tests conducted on the trail, race officials said Wednesday. "The entire field will be tested," executive director Stan Hooley told reporters at meeting with media in Anchorage. Organizers have long tested mushers' dogs for drugs, but this is a first for the human competitors in the 1,000-mile race. http://www.adn.com/2010/03/03/1166902/rookie-iditarod-mushers-evaluated.html Mar 08 10, 8:47 AM