Sled Dog Race 2012 Iditarod

• sled dog race Iditarod 2012

Iditarod is considered the most famous and extreme sled dog race. It is called the "Last Great Race".

Iditarod has a total length of more than 1 800 kilometers and passes through the territory of Alaska. Mountains, taiga and tundra, frozen rivers, cold and blizzards - all this Sled Dog Race Iditarod 2012. This year it is attended by sixty-six mushers sled, and the winner will get a cash prize of $ 50,400 and a new truck.

Anchorage - the northernmost city in the United States, located in the southern part of Alaska. Hence, March 4, 2012 kicked off the race for the Iditarod dogsled.

The main participants race impatiently.

Each dog team in the race consists of 12-16 dogs and overcomes distance of 1 800 kilometers of 12-17 days.

The main competitors - Siberian Husky, one of the oldest breeds of dogs. Their blue eyes are better adapted to the bright winter light reflected from the snow.

The vet checks the dogs prior to the race, February 29, 2012.

"Dog" team of one of the drivers - drover dog sled. Alaska, March 4, 2012.

City of Willow, Alaska, March 4, 2012.

sled dog race - is not only a competition for speed and endurance. Each musher is developing its strategy and tactics. For example, part of the way to pass the afternoon and part of the night.

An aerial view. Alaska, March 6, 2012.

In order to not break on foot, they wear special shoes during race dogs. This harness of 14 dogs in fashionable pink color.

One of the reference points on the route, March 8, 2012.

Healthy sleep after a hard day, a reference point runs Nikolai, Alaska, March 7, 2011.

Each of the driver teams have their own special menu for feeding dogs.

Overnight in Takotna, Alaska, March 7, 2012.

There comes a new day of the race. The picture shows a dog-leader of one of the buckles, March 8, 2012.

Not all participants in such a difficult race to reach the finish line. About a fifth of goes the distance. Sometimes at the end of the race in a team is only half of the dogs.

descended from a line of dogs are transported in such a sleigh linked to the snowmobile. Similarly carry spare dogs. Unalakleet, Alaska, March 11, 2012.

The most difficult dog sled race is getting closer to the night. Musher illuminated street lights.

In front of the next control point and overnight, March 11, 2012.

4-time Iditarod winner Martin Buser race with their dogs.

Northern Lights, Alaska, March 9, 2012.

In the picture musher - the winner of sled dog race Iditarod 2004.

At the moment, the Iditarod race in 2012 continues.