IDITAROD 2006


Jeff King wins Iditarod XXXIV
Arriving in Nome under a full moon at 1:11am March 15th
Doug Swingley and Paul Gebhardt come in 2nd and 3rd

Started Saturday March 4th, 2006  10:00am
1st place in March 15th at 1:11am

Judy Currier in 36th position with 12 dogs out of Koyuk

Click Here for Race Updates and Finish Times

What is a Singing Dog, Anyway?
In case you were wondering where Singing Dog Quilt Works got its name, look no further.  Sue has been raising and showing  Siberian Huskies for almost 20 years.  Siberian Huskies typically communicate by "singing" instead of barking, hence the store name and the singing (howling) dogs in our logo!  Keep an eye on this page for photos of her Siberians at work and at play (they run on a pleasure sled dog team in the winter).

The Iditarod
Every year since 1975, mushers from all over compete in a 1,100 mile dogsled race called the Iditarod.  This year on the first weekend in March, 83 teams gathered on 4th Street in downtown Anchorage to begin this extraordinary race.  Weather and snow conditions this year have permitted the race restart to take place in Willow.  For those of you who can recall, the lack of snow pushed the restart all the way to Fairbanks, 400 miles to the north.

The race start in Anchorage is purely ceremonial, but nonetheless breathtaking.  The side streets near the starting line are filled with dog transports, sleddogs, their mushers, support teams, and all their gear.  As the teams are readied, the dogs' excitement grows and they start to sing and the resulting noise is almost deafening.  One by one, the dog teams are brought to the starting line singing and howling and then miraculously, they go completely silent as the team is let go and begin their 1,100 mile journey.  In the silence, you then hear the 48 paws pounding on the soft snow and the "shush" of the sled runners as each team goes by.

There is no telling which teams will do well from merely looking at the dogs or their mushers.  The level of training and dedication of the mushers and their dogs is nothing short of incredible.  Their experience and determination is key in how the team will perform on a trail that changes from year-to-year and more importantly, hour-to-hour.   There are the perennial front runners, and the mushers that enjoy celebrity status for their achievements to be sure, but often luck and unforeseen opportunities play a large part in it all.

Join us in cheering on our friend Judy Currier who is running the race this year!  As of Day 3, Judy is in 18th place at Rainy Pass.  Also, Karen Ramstead is running a team of purebred Siberian Huskies this year.

Commemorating the historic 1925 diphtheria serum run from Nenana to Nome, this Alaskan tradition celebrates the heroism and courage of the mushers on the relay teams and the strength and dedication of the dog teams.  Over the last 6 years we have had the privilege to see the race and have made friends along the way.  We have also supported and were fortunate enough to cheer on several mushers and kennels that have run All-Siberian Husky teams over the years.

Click on http://www.iditarod.com to learn more about this "Last Great Race!"