Iditarod Ejects Swenson

Five-time Iditarod champion Rick Swenson has been ejected from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race after a dog on his team died Sunday on the first day of racing.

In accordance with a new rule, any musher whose dog dies in the race is subject to ejection.

Back on the trail, Jack Berry of Homer was the first musher out of Rainy Pass, leaving at 7:16 p.m. Monday. He spent just 21 minutes in the checkpoint at 1,835 feet, the highest point along the Iditarod Trail.