Lance and the team cross the finish line, #1 for the third consecutive year

[Blue_In_AK]

The late, great Susan Butcher and Doug Swingley are the only other mushers to have won three Iditarods in a row. Lance seems to be on a roll, and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.


Here they are coming down Front Street


Lance is greeted by his wife Tonya


The money shot


The amazing Larry gets some love. This was his last race, a well-deserved retirement for a truly exceptional athlete.

[blueraven95]

1. I really like that last picture

what a happy dog!

[dbmk]

2. And probably also a tiny bit tired :)

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Lance's dogs seemed pretty peppy actually.

All of the teams are required to take an eight-hour break in White Mountain, which is only 77 miles out of Nome, so they're pretty rested on the last leg. Out of all the teams that I saw come in, there were only a few dogs who looked even the least bit winded. These animals' strength and endurance are phenomenal.

Some of the mushers, on the other hand, looked beat. :)

[janx]

4. I LOVE Larry's face!

I remember watching a video of him and Lance over and over last year--or the year before? Your I'rod photos are so amazing!

It was great when you posted some of these in GD a couple of years back, and I hope you will do so again. It's educational for those who don't know much about the race.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I think it was the Lounge maybe where I posted those.

I take my life in my hands when I do that because it ALWAYS arouses some strong passions among the anti-working dog crowd, but I'll probably slip in there late some night when everyone is asleep and post a quiet link. Photo group and sports group I feel pretty safe in. :)

[janx]

6. C'mon, Gerneral Discussion!

I will certainly back you up! I love those dogs.

[elleng]

7. Wise to stay away, IMO.

Just keep it up here!

[Blue_In_AK]

8. That's my thought, too, EllenG

Every year I post photos, just for the sheer beauty of the dogs and the awesomeness of the race, and every year we get into a big dust-up about the pros and cons of mushing - with most of the outrage coming from people who have never been north of the Mason-Dixon line, much less spent any time in Alaska or around sled dogs. I just don't have the heart for it anymore. I'm here, I've been watching this race since 1976, and I know what I know about how the dogs are loved and respected by their owners and the extensive steps that are taken to monitor and protect them at all points along the trail. These dogs are "born to run," and if they weren't doing this, I think they would be quite unhappy.