Smyth speeds into Nome

NOME -- Ramey Smyth has earned a few reputations along the Iditarod Trail. Good reputations, of course.

The Big Lake musher has become known as one of the fastest finishers on the trail, and this year was no different. Smyth raced from Safety, the final checkpoint on the trail, to Nome in just 2 hours and 26 minutes at a speed of 9.04 miles per hour.

For his efforts, Smyth won his fifth straight Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome Award.

Smyth credits his dog team and conditioning, to his fast finishes.

"It's due to a hard working dog team and the long term mental conditioning program and carefully fostering their mental state over the year," Smyth said.

Smyth and his hard working dog team made up great time toward the end of the race and even improved their position during the final miles of the race. Just a few miles outside of Nome, Smyth passed up John Baker. According to Smyth, Baker saw Smyth's lead dogs coming toward him from behind and when Smyth went to pass, Baker yelled out jokingly, "Want to stop so I can help you put your bib on?"

Smyth declined the invitation and breezed right on by.

Smyth made up amazing time on Baker. The Kotzebue native was 40 minutes ahead of Smyth at Safety and an astounding 1 hour and 18 minutes ahead of Smyth at White Mountain.

"It was big," Smyth said. "Almost an insurmountable lead."

When asked how he could have made up so much time, Smyth had a simple answer.

"He slowed down and I sped up," Smyth said.

Though it was a page from the book of obvious, the simple tactic could be called genius as it earned Smyth nearly another $3,000. Passing Baker meant a seventh place finish and a $32,571 payday. Baker's eighth-place finish was worth just over $29,000.

"Some slow down after 50 miles and that's when I start rocking," Smyth said.

Like the other participants in the field, Smyth and his team had to adjust to the 2003 route. The new trail included great distances on both the Tanana and Yukon Rivers.

"It definitely threw a wrench in the strategic plans," Smyth said. "My dogs work hard in the hills. It took a long time to adapt."

Smyth has also earned the reputation of being one of the race's top finishers without the help of a large group of sponsors. In nine races, Smyth has three finishes in the top 10 and two consecutive seventh place finishes. Smyth finished a career-high sixth in 1998 and has finished in the top 20 in each of his last eight Iditarod's. Smyth finished 21 in his rookie race.

According to Smyth his few sponsors include Kenai Chrysler, who supplied him with a truck, and a pet foods company who gave him some dog food. GCI gave Smyth $1,000 and friends have also lent support.

Smyth is a full-time musher during the winter months and is a guide and does carpentry work during the summer.

The 27-year-old has mushing in his blood. Smyth's parents Bud Smyth and Lolly Medley have both finished the Iditarod. Smyth's brother Cim, is a participant in the 2003 Iditarod and was the race's rookie of the year in 1996.

"I have been mushing for as far as I can remember, 27 years," Smyth said.