What happened to Susan Butcher in 1985?
She began the 1985 race with a solid lead but was eliminated from the competition when a moose charged across her path, killing 2 of her dogs and wounding 13. That year Butcher lost to Libby Riddles her chance to become the first woman to win the Iditarod.
How is Susan Butcher an inspiring person?
Susan Butcher, sled-dog racer and legend of the Alaskan frontier, was one of the great athletes of her generation. A disciplined and fearless adventurer, she was the first person to win three consecutive Iditarod championships, from 1986 to 1988.
Was Susan Butcher married?
Butcher married fellow dog racer David Monson on September 2, 1985. They had two daughters, Tekla and Chisana.
Do sled dogs die?
At least 27 dogs used in the Iditarod have died just since 2004. In 2016, Nash died after being hit by a snowmobile during the race. In 2015, dogs Stiffy and Wyatt both died on the trail, and a dog named Stuart got loose and was later hit by a car.
Did any dogs die in this year’s Iditarod?
A 5-year-old dog that competed in the Iditarod race last week has since died of pneumonia, officials with the annual event confirmed. The dog, Oshi, was a member of Richie Beattie’s team and made the wintry trek of nearly 1,000 miles to the finish line Thursday.
How many dogs died in the 2019 Iditarod?
13 dogs
How many sled dogs die each year?
Normally at least one or two dogs die every year and the causes range from strangulation in towlines to internal hemorrhaging to being trampled by moose or suffering from liver injuries, heart failure, and pneumonia.
Do dogs enjoy the Iditarod?
Every winter since 1973, men and dogs face what has become known as “The Last Great Race,” the Iditarod, pronouced “Hi-dit-a-rod” from an Athabaskan Indian word meaning “a distant place.” Weather can be harsh and bitterly cold, yet the dogs seem to love it. Stay informed of the weather along this year’s trail here.