Iditarod shifts Restart to Willow

WASILLA -- Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officials cast their eyes to the heavens Monday but without a last-minute dumping of snow, this year's race Restart was officially moved from Wasilla to Willow.

Iditarod Trail Committee members and Iditarod Executive Director Stan Hooley put a Monday noon deadline on the decision. But with trail conditions in Wasilla having deteriorated significantly during the past two weeks -- and no relief in sight -- they were left with no choice.

Sunday morning's Restart now will be staged at the Willow Community Center. Racers will head straight to Yentna Station, then continue to Skwentna without stopping at traditional checkpoint Knik.

ITC President Rick Koch said the dogs' safety was the prime consideration. Glare ice around the Wasilla sports complex, which had been planned as the staging area, as well as the first few miles of trail through Wasilla was too dangerous, he said. A dog that slipped could be strangled in harness because the musher wouldn't be able to set a snow hook to stop the team.

Koch expressed Iditarod officials' sadness that residents in the Knik area, home of Iditarod legend Joe Redington Sr., won't see teams run to that checkpoint this year.

"We have a warm spot in our hearts for Knik and the people who live there," Koch said. "To bypass them is a bad deal."