Iditarod punishes 3 mushers for sheltering dogs in windstorm

Original report: 3 Iditarod finishers receive penalties for sheltering dogs indoors during fierce windstorms (Anchorage Daily News)

Earlier DU thread: 3 Iditarod finishers receive penalties for sheltering dogs indoors during fierce windstorms

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Source: Associated Press

Iditarod punishes 3 mushers for sheltering dogs in windstorm

March 26, 2022

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A fierce winter storm in the last stretch of this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog, which ultimately forced six mushers to scratch the same day, now has cost three other mushers for sheltering their dogs instead of leaving them outside in the harsh conditions.

Mille Porsild of Denmark, Michelle Phillips of Canada and Riley Dyche of Fairbanks were penalized for taking dogs inside shelter cabins to ride out the storm with winds so strong, they whipped up white-out conditions, the Anchorage Daily News reported Friday.

The decision to punish the mushers was made by race marshal Mark Nordman, who said the indoor rest for the dogs amounted to a competitive advantage over teams that trailed them into Nome.

“No doubt that Michelle and Mille did the right thing for their dogs,” Nordman said. “But it also affected the competition for racers going forward.”

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/storms-science-sports-alaska-dogs-66c935261405bc849b5c5716f9416dec

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Source: Anchorage Daily News

3 Iditarod finishers receive penalties for sheltering dogs indoors during fierce windstorms

By Zachariah Hughes
Updated: 14 hours ago
Published: 1 day ago

The two top-finishing women in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race were penalized during the race for sheltering their dogs inside a cabin during a ferocious windstorm — a move they say likely saved their dogs’ lives but caused their demotions in the final standings.

The penalties levied against veterans Mille Porsild of Denmark and Yukon musher Michelle Phillips were not widely publicized nor explained by race officials. That, in turn, has caused confusion and consternation, generating plenty of online criticism that a move ensuring dog safety diminished their accomplishments and earnings from the race purse.

In the final accounting, Porsild’s finishing position went from 14th to 17th, and Phillips moved from 17th to 18th. Those demotions equate to $3,450 less in prize money for Porsild and $1,000 less for Phillips.

According to race marshal Mark Nordman, who made the decision, the indoor rest constituted a competitive advantage over the three teams that trailed Porsild and Phillips into Nome.

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Read more: https://www.adn.com/outdoors-adventure/iditarod/2022/03/25/3-iditarod-finishers-receive-penalties-for-sheltering-dogs-indoors-during-fierce-windstorms/