Kuskokwim 300 2020

As one of my heroes, Lance Mackey, so famously said, "It's a dog race, anything can happen." In this year's Kusko, this past weekend, that certainly applied!!

The Kusko--actually three races, the Akiak Dash, the 150 miler and the 300 miler--is often very cold and blizzardy being closer to the coast and incoming weather events. This year the CB300 was worse, though it is seldom balmy either. The Kusko had been postponed a couple of weeks due to weather but this time i was all right.

Anyway, twenty one mushers made the race. There were no scratches which is kind of rare, really. Two women entered and finished, Paige Drobney and Joanna Jagow. Both were rookies on this near legendary race and both ran well, finishing in the 13th and 14th places, coming in almost together. Two other mushers came directly from the CB300 to the Kusko, the winner and second place finisher from the former, Nic Petit and Matt Failer. Their results here were very different.

Matt admittedly used most if not all different dogs and I think that helped him to finish second, close behind Pete Kaiser, who won this one, his fifth win in the Kusko! Matt won this one last year but Pete is the reigning Iditarod Champ and one heck of a dog man.  It runs on the family. His father has won the Kusko and this year managed a very close second in the K150. It was almost a family affair in the winner's box!

Nic, however, was well back in the pack,. So, if you will entertain an armchair musher's thoughts, I will share a question and concern. I've not yet found whether Nic raced a new team in the Kusko or not but I suspect some if not all his dogs had just run the CB300 in some harsh cold and difficult conditions. It sounded that way as he flew them all right on over to Bethel. Were they not quite up to par? We  may never know. I am a booster of Nic's but have to allow that he does err in judgment at times and maybe push too hard. I do not question his love for and care of his dogs but like some doting parents may overdo his enthusiasm to see them excel. I hope they now rest well before taking on the I'rod come March. Not sure what his schedule is except the YQ races are not on it at last reading.

A cute little aside, as Matt F finished his check in at the finish, he approached partner and handler Liz Raines, pulled a small box out of a parka pocket and opened it to reveal a diamond flash! She is either a great actress or was truly surprised, almost blown away. Hand to her face she nodded and stammered her acceptance! That was a sweet bit of business and I am sure most watchers were thrilled. Who can resist a good romance and happy ending event? Surely not me!!

The next weekend's big race is the John Beargrease, one of the staged type I believe, and one of the few well known, long running major races in the Lower 48. There are always some Alaska mushers and it usually gets quite a bit of coverage. I'm sure there will be video and tracking. Maybe I can get links for that before the start.

One last note on the Kusko. Lance Mackey and Jeff King were entered as was Iditarod tradition Jim Lanier with his Siberians. Jeff finished along with Nic and a few others in the mid-pack. Jim  I think was 3rd from last and guess who got his first Red Lantern!! Lance did not push; perhaps he had that in mind all along. He is so quirky, it is possible! He'd never won the Kusko; nor had Jim but Jeff has about ten times, all some years in the past. Anyway I will try to catch the video of the awards tonight and see what Lance says. I expect I will both laugh and tear up. That is one absolutely amazing guy!

I share one photo--not mine--to illustrate. Joanne Potts had been the secretary and virtual soul of the Iditarod Headquarters for many years. The new officers abolished her position this past year. Many mushers and fans protested but without success. Before the planned celebration in her honor was finalized, her husband passed away. She insisted since a lot of work had been involved that her 'going away party' continue and it did. One in attendance was Lance and this touching shot portrays his sympathy and caring as he spoke to her. Joanne was "Mom" to so many in the Iditarod community; she is sorely missed and her treatment left a bad taste with many. Sadly it seems kind of in character for the new team; I withhold judgment but am inclined to feel very negative about the future under their direction.

Lance and Joanne Potts

A final addition, 21 Jan 2020: Nic did use the same dogs and in his recap he pretty well admitted that might not have been a good decision. I really do respect the guy and will continue to root for him but at times his willpower and enthusiasm does override good judgement. BTW it was Jim Lanier that he worked with and apprenticed under several years ago. Jim was the oldest K300 finisher ever --his speech as he took his 19th place award--and Lance had little to say as he took his red lantern but he was smiling and said it was his first ever--deliberate for sure. Last, Joanna Jagow got the vet's care award; all 12 of her dogs finished and in 14th place of 21. I need to research--was she the Jr I'Rod winner a couple of years ago? Maybe just a similar name--will confirm next report, which ever.