Husky News

Three Minnesotans are among the 96 mushers who will compete in the 2008 Iditarod trail Sled Dog Race next month in Alaska. They are part of the largest field in the history of the “Last Great Race On Earth,” which will start March 1 in Anchorage, Alaska.

The previous high was 87 racers back in 2004.

Professional sled dog racer John Stetson, of Duluth, who finished second in January’s John Beargrease Sled Dog Race through northern Minnesota, along with Blake Freking and his wife, Jennifer, both of Finland, Minn., will navigate the 1,150-mile course through jagged mountain ranges, along frozen river, through dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast. The race ends in Nome, Alaska.

Iditarod veteran Blake Freking works for the U.S. Forest Service. Jennifer Freking, a veterinarian by trade, is making her first appearance in the race, which features 60 mushers from Alaska, 21 from other states and 15 from other countries.

The defending is champion Lance Mackey, of Anchorage. Minnesota native Paul Gebhardt, who now lives in Kasilof, Alaksa, finished second last year. Both are racing this year.

Source: StarTribune