Iditarod 35: Swingley scratches in Rainy Pass

March 5, 2007

RAINEY PASS - Doug Swingley's bid for his fifth Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race title ended Monday morning when the four-time champ scratched in Rainy Pass.

According to a press release issued by Iditarod Director of Public Relations Chas St. George, Swingley cannot continue in the race because of injuries suffered between Finger Lake and Rainy Pass.

St. George said checkpoint officials reported the Lincoln, Mont., native may have broken ribs and dislocated one of his thumbs.

Swingley was the second musher to reach Rainy Pass, according to the results posted on www.iditarod.com. He hit the fourth checkpoint in the Last Great Race at 10:15 a.m.

Cim Smyth, of Big Lake, was the first musher to hit Rainy Pass, arriving at 10 a.m He left five minutes later.

As of 3 p.m. Monday, nine mushers had left Rainy Pass.

Following Smyth out of the checkpoint were Lance Mackey, Aliy Zirkle, Tim Osmar, Ramey Smyth, Martin Buser, Zack Steer, Ramy Brooks and Paul Gebhardt.

Twenty mushers had reached Rainy Pass.

- Jeremiah Bartz