Iditarod rookies face challenges

The 2010 Iditarod sled dog race will feature 22 mushers who have not completed the race before. For the top finishing rookie comes the distinguished Rookie of the Year award. Last year's award was won by Chad Lindner who came in 30th place. Rookies have the privledge of treking accros 100 miles of Alaska wilderness with variable snow conditions and weather that can turn downright nasty. They must negotiate famous features in the trail including the Dalzell Gorge, the Steps, the snowless Farewell Burn, and the Bering Sea coast. Picking a rookie who will do well through that is difficult, but here are some rookies to watch out for.

Michelle Phillips born in Whitehorse Yukon grew up as a competitive figure skater. She has competed in the Yukon Quest 5 times finishing 4th in 2004, and never finishing worse than 8th.

Marshall Newton from Jamaica where he has worked for the Jamaica Dogsled Team (JDT) for 5 years. JDT first gained notoriety through the movie Snow Dogs which was very loosely based on some real events. Snow rarely occurs in Jamaica, so the JDT gives sled dog tours by pulling wheeled sleds with dogs gathered from the local pound. This is hardly sufficient training for the Iditarod, so in 2008/2009 Newton went to the Yukon to train with 4 time Yukon Quest champion Hans Gatt. He raced in the 100 mile Yukjon Quest with a team from the Gatt kennel and finished an impressive 13th (out of 29) in the 2009 1000 mile Yukon Quest. This season he has been living and training with Lance Mackey who has a pretty impressive resume himself.

40 year old Dan Kaduce has had 4 top 10 finishes in the Yukon Quest. He has been racing dogs for 15 years.

26 year old Dave Decaro has been a dog handler and tour guide for Jeff King over the last 3 years. He was rookie of the year in the 2008 Kusko 300. He'll have some King dogs on his team.

18 year old Quinn Iten will be the youngest musher in this year's Iditarod. He is son of Iditarod veteran Ed Iten. Quinn has finished 3rd in the Junior Iditarod and should field a strong team from the Iten Kennel in Kotzebue with Ed sitting out this year's race. These dogs should handle any cold weather just fine.