Master Cart #17

A naked frame anchored in the frozen river tells the story. No mushrooms, no dogs, no race, not this day. At K-300 headquarters, the disappointment was almost as bitter as the air outside. One of the first rules in the races that race starts regardless of weather. But this is just so extreme we had to make an exception. So how cold is it? Well, one of the race checkers up in CalSCAG told the K-300 committee this morning that the temperature was so low this morning there were no numbers left on the thermometer to record it. In any act, the halfway point for the race, temperatures hovered between 55 and 60 below this morning with no wind at all. When it's this cold, planes can't fly in, supplies, and race officials.

But to the mushrooms, there's another more important reason to postpone this race. Rick Swenson won the first K-300 race ten years ago. And now, the former Ididarot champ is after a third wind and the $15,000 first prize. But he's not that hungry to win. My first consideration is the health and welfare of my dogs and myself. And anybody with any intelligence knows this is dangerous. In this cold, they're going to be working and breathing deep and they could freeze their lungs and render them useless for the rest of their lives. And I've got too much invested in these dogs to ruin them. For now, a slurry of hot water and dog food takes the bite out of the cold. Although the rules are being rewritten this year, the harsh, unpredictable weather is in keeping with the K-300 tradition, which on its 10th birthday remains one of the most exciting and challenging sled dog races in the world.

In Bethel, this is Rhonda McBride reporting. Thank you. Thank you. The dog expects to do a little bit better than this when he has.

Just by completing it, it's not enough anymore. Yeah, I think those teams both look like they're moving along real well, leaving the chute there. And to your animals and the trainee and the mileage has to put on to get them ready for a 300-mile race. Yeah, you can do it, but you can't really expect to be a winner. That's true. And they're off out of the chutes, and this is one more team that's way out there in the back way to pull it. I'm sure you learned enough about the trail and you'll be better this time. Thank you.

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