No stopping the Last Great Race

Come hell or high water the show will go on.

Despite concerns generated by the bizarre weather Alaska has seen this winter, the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race will commence March 1.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the race will start as scheduled," Iditarod executive director Stan Hooley said.

According to Hooley, representatives from the Iditarod Trail Committee have been monitoring the weather situation on a week-by-week basis.

Representatives from the committee have flown the length of the trail to get a first hand perspective of the conditions. Hooley personally flew a portion of the trail last Saturday.

"The conditions have improved, but are less than ideal," Hooley said.

"Things have improved dramatically, there is a lot of new ice," Hooley added. "I hope the trend continues."

Hooley also noted that there are over 40 days prior to race day, plenty of time for conditions to improve.

"We would like to have more cold weather, but a big problem is snow," Hooley said.

According to Hooley, the conditions won't cause officials to change the trail route either.

"Our ability to change the trail is restricted," Hooley said. "We have been traveling this area for years and we have found the best possible route."

"Most problems do not improve with changing the route."

A drastic reduction in the 2003 field is also not expected. According to Hooley, each year the committee sees about a 15-percent reduction in the field between the initial sign up and race day.

Hooley gave a list of reasons for the drop off. The chief concern this year has been the possibility of rookies failing to qualify. In order to be eligible for the Iditarod, a rookie must run a minimum of 500 miles in no more than two other separate races sanctioned by the committee. Those races include the Kuskokwin 300, the Knik 200 and the recently completed Copper Basin 300.

The concern paralells with the poor racing conditions. Two races, the Klondike 300 and the Don Bowers Memorial 200, have been cancelled, but Hooley quickly noted that their are still plenty of opportunities for rookie mushers to qualify for the Last Great Race.