Ryan Redington declared victor in ‘brutal’ Kobuk 440 as the only musher to complete the course
, The Arctic Sounder
Share on Facebook
Print article In what Kobuk 440 competitors and organizers say was an unimaginably tough race as mushers battled storm after storm and “zero” visibility, one musher was not only the winner but had the only team to complete the entire course from Kotzebue to Kobuk and back. The 38-year-old winner from Knik, the grandson of Iditarod founder Joe Redington Sr., finished in 48 hours, 48 minutes. Ryan Redington also won the Kobuk 440 in 2019 and said he encouraged other mushers to try the race in the future during a livestreamed award ceremony Tuesday night in Kotzebue.
Kobuk 440 rerouted after snow and extreme winds pause race
Share on Facebook
Print article The Kobuk 440 Sled Dog Race in Northwest Alaska resumed Monday after dangerous weather paused the race on Sunday and organizers rerouted the course. The conditions caused two veteran mushers, Jeff King of Denali and Nic Petit of Girdwood, to activate their distress signals. Both were withdrawn from the race. “This feels like the most difficult 440 that we’ve ever had, weather-wise,” said Paul Hansen, president of the race. The race was originally set to kick off Thursday in Kotzebue, but many mushers had difficulties reaching the town due to heavy winds, fog and frigid weather, Hansen said. The start was pushed to Friday.