Record number for '04 Iditarod

WASILLA -- A record number of mushers has signed up for the 2004 Iditarod.

As of this week 107 mushers have enlisted for the right to race their teams to Nome in early March.

"We are excited, there was a large field on the first day," Iditarod Trail Committee executive director Stan Hooley said. "We knew it would be a big field, but I don't think any of us thought it would be this big."

The number of mushers who have signed up nearly doubles the total that started the quest to Nome last spring. The 2003 race featured just 64 teams, with 44 finishing. Last season was one of the wackiest in Iditarod history with weather problems causing the trail committee to alter the route to Nome completely.

This year there are more rookies signed up for the race, than finishers in the 2003 run. Of the 107 on the list, 50 are considered rookies.

Mushers who have signed up for an Iditarod in previous years, but have not completed the entire trail are still considered rookies.

Hooley said there are several reasons for the race field's growth spurt.

"The race continues to grow,"Hooley said. "The truly competitive segment of the mushing community continues to gravitate toward the race. (The race) is regarded as the place for the most success in terms of recognition, and financially."

In addition to the 50 rookies, there are 57 veterans in the '04 installment of the Last Great Race. Ten states, and four foreign countries are represented in the current field. Mushers also hail from five different Canadian provinces.

Hooley said that the number of mushers from Outside Alaska is normal. Last year Norwegian Robert Sorlie became the first musher not residing on United States ground to win the race.

Sorlie declined to race in the 2004 Iditarod, but fellow countryman Kjetil Backen to represent Norway.

In addition two Germans and a pair of Italians are in the field.

Sixteen of the top 20 finishers of the 2003 race are slated to be back for 2004.

Notable absences include Sorlie, Jon Little (13th in 2003) and 2003 rookie of the year Jessica Hendricks.

Among the list of those returning are former champions Martin Buser and Rick Swenson.

Montana native Doug Swingley is also returning to the Iditarod after a brief hiatus from the race.

Rather than flying to Nome and working as a television analyst, Swingley will travel by dog sled this year, rejoining the field after taking a year off.

"The race is ultra competitive, and throw another veteran in the mix and suddenly it raises the bar of competition," Hooley said.

Other notable mushers in the field include Willow's Dee Dee Jonrowe, Manley's Charlie Boulding and Big Lake's Ramey Smyth.

The 2004 Iditarod is just 82 days away.