Race Season – Page 2 – KNOM Radio Mission

Iditarod’s First Yup’ik Champion Won 2019 With a Strategic Focus on Rest

By Ben Matheson | March 14, 2019 |

Man in orange and black parka raises his hands in triumph after his Iditarod victory.

The margin between 2019 champion Pete Kaiser and his closest competitor, Joar Leifseth Ulsom, came down to 12 minutes in the final leg of the race. Kaiser’s strategy of banking extra rest in the early stretches of the Iditarod helped position him for victory in the race’s final days.

Pete Kaiser Wins Iditarod 2019

By David Dodman | March 13, 2019 |

Pete Kaiser is the champion of Iditarod 2019. The Bethel musher arrived at the Nome finish line in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, March 13, with 8 dogs in his team.

Expect an Iditarod Finish Early Wednesday — and Possibly, a Chase to Nome

By David Dodman | March 12, 2019

Looking down a snow-covered street in a rural Alaska town with a large "Iditarod" banner hanging overhead and a carved wooden archway standing in the center of the street.

Around 2 to 4am Wednesday morning: that’s when KNOM expects a championship finish in Iditarod 2019. Bethel musher Pete Kaiser holds a slim yet potentially decisive lead: 6 miles ahead of Joar Leifseth Ulsom, with only 50 miles to the finish line. Nonetheless, Kaiser’s victory is far from certain.

77 Miles — and, Perhaps, Joar Leifseth Ulsom — Stand Between Pete Kaiser and Iditarod Victory

By Ben Matheson | March 12, 2019

Musher in orange and black parka leads a sled dog team down a frozen river, with pine trees in the background

Bethel musher Pete Kaiser is 77 miles from his first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race victory. But first he must hold off the race’s defending champion, Joar Leifseth Ulsom, hungry for a repeat win.

A Warming Arctic Hits Iditarod: Open Water Along the Trail Where There’s Normally Ice

By Zachariah Hughes | March 12, 2019 |

Aerial view of Unalakleet during winter, with open water along the coast.

Usually, in March, the Bering Sea ice is reaching its thickest extent. But from the beach in Unalakleet, the full horizon is blue ocean water, punctuated infrequently by lone icebergs. Typically, in winter, the shore is silent, save the slight tinkling of ice shifting. This year, you can hear waves.

In Koyuk, Kaiser Takes Iditarod’s Lead

By Davis Hovey | March 11, 2019 |

Man in black parka rides sled along a snowy trail

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has a new leader — Bethel musher Pete Kaiser — after Nic Petit’s team stalled on the sea ice Sunday night.

Petit Leads Iditarod Out of Unalakleet

By Ben Matheson | March 11, 2019 |

Musher in red vest, seen from behind, answers questions to a large group of closely-gathered reporters, many holding cameras or microphones.

As of Sunday night, Nic Petit is in the driver’s seat of the 2019 Iditarod. The Girdwood musher leads the race by a few hours, but a hungry pack of mushers are looking for an opening.

Nome-Golovin 2019: Final Results

By Margaret DeMaioribus | March 10, 2019 |

Erik Johnson is the champion of the Nome-Golovin 2019 Snowmachine Race. The race was held Sunday after a 24-hour delay for inclement weather.

Iditarod 2019, Day 7: Jockeying on the Yukon

By David Dodman | March 8, 2019

Iditarod’s lead mushers pushed to the Yukon River checkpoints as Thursday night turned into Friday morning. Nicolas Petit was first to Anvik, but other mushers remain competitive as the sun heads toward the horizon Friday night. Here’s a recap of KNOM’s coverage of Iditarod on Friday, March 8.

Nipping at Petit’s Heels, Mushers Strategize Rest to Keep Chase into the Yukon

By Ben Matheson | March 8, 2019

Musher in white parka mushes sled dog team down snowy trail

While Iditarod musher Nic Petit races at the front of the pack, a potentially dangerous group of mushers are preparing to make their move and capitalize on any opportunities.