28 teams roar off Big Lakeon their way to Nome

BIG LAKE — Under gray skies, biting cold temperatures and amongst a festival like atmosphere of free food, monster trucks, fire pits and a man dressed as the Alaska version of Big Foot, 28 pro class Iron Dog race teams blazed a path off of Big Lake bound for Nome then on to Fairbanks Sunday morning.

The 2,000 mile race now in its 28th year drew a couple thousand spectators to Southport Marina, which is a new location for this years race start. Snowmachines, cars, trucks, a couple helicopters, several airplanes and a few homemade vehicles quickly filled the make-shift parking lot carved out of fresh snow on Big Lake.

Spectators waving pom-pons and holding signs took photos and video as the 56 highly modified sleds ran down the middle of a mile-long starting chute with race fans lining both sides.

The two-member teams began leaving the starting chute in two-minute intervals a little after 11 a.m. First off the line was the team of Dusty VanMeter and Marc Mckenna. Followed by Nick Olstad and Todd Minnick.

Four-time Iron Dog champion Todd Palin paired up with new partner Eric Qualm of Palmer left for Nome. Qualm took the checkered flag with Marc McKenna in 2008 and finished third last year.

Conditions for this year’s race are substantially better than 2010. According to Iron Dog Board of Directors President Marianne Beckham trail conditions are good.

“There is a lots of snow and hard pack,” said Beckham. “We’ve had teams out making sure the trail is well marked, and staked, and there is some brush cutting going on.”

The overall trail conditions can set the pace in the beginning. The first 24 hours will see the pack thin out and the stronger racers will take the lead.

Letting the front-runners lead sits well with the Wasilla team of Andrew Zink and Ryan Sottosanti. “With flat light it looks like we may have to slow up a little bit on the river to get to Skwentna and then just go from there,” says Zwink.

“We’ve been practicing a good pace,” said Zwink. “But we’ll let the front runners do their thing and just keep on them.” Zwink ran the race in 2008 and 2009 but did not reach the finish line in either race. Race veteran Sottosanti was the top rookie in 2010.

For Willow resident and race veteran Jana Pevan, now in her second year of racing the Iron Dog, the first 24 hours will be a test of her sled and body.

“We hope to get McGrath safely and smoothly without breaking anything on the sled or the body,” said Pevan as she readied her gear Sunday morning before the race start. “Last year there was no snow on the (Farewell) burn and that was pretty rough on the sled and the body. If there is snow it will be good to go.”

For last year’s winning team of Tyler Huntington and Chris Olds it’s all fast all of the time.

“We are going to push it as hard as we can this year, Huntington said. “We’re going to go as fast as we can for as long as we can. A little rougher terrain works better for us.” As for where Huntington could foresee problems. Water and deep snow says Huntington. “These things don’t do so good in deep snow.”

For the 2010 champion 2011’s race started a little off pace. “Usually I like to get a lot of rest but last night we were working until midnight,” said Huntington, tightening his helmet chin-strap. “Our routine has been little different this year.”

For race veteran Tyler Aklestad it is business as usual. “I try not to change anything out of the normal routine. It’s what I am used to.” Aklestad said. “I do this all the time. It is just another ride only a little further than normal.”

Like a lot of teams Aklestad and Johnson hope to make it the 362 miles to McGrath clean and in one piece. Racers have to take one 10-hour layover either in Puntilla, Rohn or McGrath. Most of them choose McGrath.

As of 5 p.m. the team of Palin and Qualm were in the lead from the Rohn Roadhouse on the trail to Nikolai. Following in second were Mckenna and VanMeter followed by seven-time Iron Dog champion Scott Davis and his teammate and son Cory.

Scratched before the race start are the teams of Jeremiah Jones and Robbie Muir, Jon Berry and Randy Gravatt and Daniel Lowrie and Raymond Rapp.

For up to the minute results visit irondog.org. See Tuesday’s edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman for more on the 2011 race.