and he won BIG! Mackey and team came into Nome at 11:38am local time. His nearest competitor(Sebastian Schnuelle), well let me say the 2nd place team because he had no competition since he left Takotna, did not leave Safety until 4pm local time. That will put him in Nome some time around 8pm local time, giving Mackey a very comfortable 8 1/2 lead. Mackey is here to stay and baring him getting eaten by the abominable snowman I think Mackey may go on to win this thing for the next few years. Mackey is an amazing competitor and a world class dog trainer.
Mackey is a class act, and he has a lead dog named Larry:-)
Below is a short story from Iditarod.com, they have provided great coverage of the Iditarod this year. They have great stories, an awesome GPS tracking feature you can subscribe too.
In 2008, Lance Mackey proved the impossible was possible again. Today, (March 18, 2009) Lance Mackey made an indelible mark on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and on his legacy as an Iditarod Champion. The Fairbanks Alaska musher arrived in Nome Alaska at 11:38:46 am under a blue sky with thousands of race fans cheering him on. Mackey (Bib #47) made his way under the burled arch with 15 very happy, healthy members of his team. Mackey now joins the legendary Susan Butcher and Montana musher Doug Swingley as having accomplished three consecutive Iditarod Championships. He created an impressive gap between himself and the rest of the pack that has not been seen since 2001. This win was, in a word, “impressive.” Mackey set the pace in the 2009 Iditarod after taking his 24 hours in Takotna. From that point forward Mackey’s teams runs were blistering. He passed all of his competitors and grew his lead each step of the way.
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin called to congratulate Mackey on his three-peat. Iditarod Principal Partner Anchorage Chrysler Dodge owner Rod Udd was on hand to present Mackey with his third Dodge Ram Quad Cab Pick-up truck in a row. Principal Partner Wells Fargo’s Representative Loren Prosser presented Mackey a check for $69,000. In addition, Principal Partner ExxonMobil’s Representative Bill Brackin, and Principal Partner GCI’s Representative, Gary Samuelson presented Lance with the garland of roses for his two lead dogs Maple and Larry.
Original story can be found HERE
Courtesy of www.iditarod.com
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