Iditarod Mushers Expect Fast Start Toward Nome

Anything can happen down the trail, but Sunday’s cold temperatures and clear skies at Willow had mushers in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race expecting a fast race.

“The trail should harden up good. It should be a nice zippy race,” said Charlie Boulding, checking over his gear as the mercury hovered near zero.

With Saturday’s ceremonial start in Anchorage behind them, the mushers were anxious for the real race - with all its adventures - to begin. The racers have 1,100 miles between them and the finish line in Nome.

“I hope it’s going to be fast. I want to get to Nome in a hurry. My girlfriend’s going to be there. I haven’t seen her in a few weeks,” said 1995 champion Doug Swingley.

Swingley, of Lincoln, Mont., holds the race record - 9 days, 2 hours, and 42 minutes.

A lack of snow in Wasilla, where the race is headquartered, forced race officials to move the restart 30 miles north to Willow.