For those of you who want to know which mushers won awards this year, here is the list :
Pen Air Spirit of Alaska Award – Aliy Zirkle
GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award – Jim Lanier
Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Gold Coast Award – Aliy Zirkle
Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome Award – Mike Williams, Jr.
Horizon Lines Most Improved Musher Award – Rohn Buser
Jerry Austin Rookie of the Year – Brent Sass
Fred Meyer Sportsmanship Award – Lance Mackey
ExxonMobil Mushers Choice Award- Dan Seavey
Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award – Michelle Phillips
Golden Clipboard Award – Community of Nulato
Golden Stethoscope Award – Ruth Kothe, DVM and Tanja Kruse, DVM
Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award – DeeDee Jonrowe
City of Nome Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award Winner – Guinness – Dallas Seavey Lead Dog

In a hard fought battle over a period of 9 days, Dallas Seavey has emerged as the 2012 Iditarod champion. Crowd favorite Alyi Zirkle couldn’t catch him and had to settle for 2nd place. A great showing by Alyi, but I know she would have liked to have that championship and the new truck that goes with it. It was a great race under some harsh conditions at times. I will be posting images from the race and finish over the weekend, so check back then for scenes from the finish.

White Mountain to Nome, the final push to win it all. Dallas has a one hour lead over Aliy as he leaves the checkpoint. He will be chased by Alyi, Aaron and Ramey. Can he hold the lead?