Blind teen musher enters Iditarod

WASILLA -- A teen-ager from Bend, Ore., who is legally blind took another step Saturday toward her goal of running next year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Rachel Scdoris was among the 76 mushers who signed up on the first day of registration. Race officials accepted the application without any decision about possible accommodations for her disability.

Scdoris' entry came via mail rather than in person. Iditarod officials received the letter Friday.

"I'm happy to have my entry in, and I am planning my training," Scdoris said.

Her father, Jerry, said Rachel entered "just like any rookie." He has been advised not to say more publicly, he said, particularly about which qualifying races she might enter.

Scdoris previously asked the ITC board to allow two "visual interpreters" to travel along the trail with her. The girl said they would scout ahead for dangers, but would not give her any information before a sighted musher would have received it.

The ITC board indefinitely tabled the issue "without specific discussion" during its June 6 meeting.

Scdoris, 18, who graduated from high school this spring, has finished the International Pedigree Stage Stop Race in Wyoming and the Atta Boy 300 Dog Food Race in Oregon.

Some critics of her entry in Iditarod argue that allowing snowmachiners to accompany Scdoris would fundamentally change the event.

Others believe her limited sight would put her dogs at risk in case of a tangle or other problem at the front of the team.

Those concerns were voiced again Saturday during the board meeting.

Perry Solmonson of Whittier, an Iditarod rookie, said he's raced with Scdoris in the Atta Boy.

"She doesn't race like the rest of us," he said. "She's used to a trail that is essentially a road with impeccable conditions. I applaud her for wanting to give it a try but she definitely has limitations."

Scdoris said during the June 6 meeting with ITC that she has run up to 18 dogs and can see where the leaders are, and if there's a tangle.

David Straub of Willow, who has scratched in each of his three Iditarod attempts, said it would be hard to make sure Scdoris doesn't receive illegal help.

"We already have problems with mushers infringing on the rules," Straub said. "We have trouble enforcing the rules."

He added that Scdoris' entry would degrade the race's integrity.

"The Iditarod is not responsible for providing camping trips for people who want to go to Nome," said ITC Vice President John Handeland, adding there are other events for people who merely want to travel the Iditarod Trail.

Five-time champion Rick Swenson, an ITC board member, also took a hard line Saturday.

"We're unwilling to change our rules to accommodate anybody until we're forced to," he said.

Someone in the audience asked if he was referring to a possible lawsuit.

"I don't think we want to get into any lawsuit," Swenson replied.

Mona McAleese of Anchorage, representing the Americans with Disabilities Act Partners Project, said Iditarod officials can only refuse to grant an accommodation for three reasons. Those are if it fundamentally alters the race, if it causes an undue burden, or if it isn't a reasonable accommodation, she said.

ITC president Rick Koch mentioned pro golfer Casey Martin, who asked the PGA Tour to let him ride a golf cart during tournaments because of circulations problems in his legs, including a condition that makes walking almost impossible at times.

The PGA resisted, insisting that walking was a fundamental part of the game.

"The Supreme Court didn't buy that argument," Koch said. "Neither did the lower courts."

Heather Plucinski, who works with the disabled through the Challenge Alaska organization, rejected some critics' contention that the race is too tough for Scdoris.

"The board can't make a decision whether she can do it or not," Plucinski said. "Every disabled person has a right to take a risk. It is her right to choose that risk."