The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race starts on Monday (today) in Fairbanks. On Thursday, the starting order was released for all 78 mushers. Talkeetna musher Gerald Sousa will start 44th. Willow mushers are spread throughout the field. In the first half of the field, Matt Failor will start 15th, Justin Savidis 19th, Linwood Fiedler 27th, and DeeDee Jonrowe 29th. In the second half of mushers, Willow has Lev Shvarts starting in 40th position, directly ahead of Lisbet Norris. Defending champion Dallas Seavey will start 46th, directly ahead of Becca Moore. Rick Casillo will start 52nd, and Scott Smith will be the last Willow-based musher to start with bib number 69.
The Iditarod restart is normally held in Willow on the Sunday after the ceremonial start in Anchorage, but poor conditions forced the race north to Fairbanks, where the race will begin on Monday.
