Iditarod 2019 Archives - KNOM Radio Mission

Trail’s End: More Tales from the 2019 Iditarod

By KNOM Radio | March 22, 2019

As a final look back at the 2019 Iditarod, delve into a post-race interview with Pete Kaiser and finish-line interviews from the middle and back of the pack — all audio that wound up on the “cutting room floor.”

At Nome Banquet, Fans Cheer Iditarod Finishers — And a Few Who Exited the 2019 Race

By Davis Hovey | March 18, 2019 |

Iditarod fans stand and cheer Pete Kaiser in a large gymnasium, converted into a banquet hall.

In the spotlight at the Nome finishers’ banquet on Sunday was Bethel musher Pete Kaiser, the first Yup’ik person to win the race. But among those who received cheers during Sunday night’s Iditarod finishers’ banquet were Nicolas Petit and Richie Beattie.

Iditarod’s First Yup’ik Champion Won 2019 With a Strategic Focus on Rest

By KNOM Radio | March 14, 2019 |

Man in orange and black parka raises his hands in triumph after his Iditarod victory.

The margin between 2019 champion Pete Kaiser and his closest competitor, Joar Leifseth Ulsom, came down to 12 minutes in the final leg of the race. Kaiser’s strategy of banking extra rest in the early stretches of the Iditarod helped position him for victory in the race’s final days.

Pete Kaiser Wins Iditarod 2019

By KNOM Radio | March 13, 2019 |

Pete Kaiser is the champion of Iditarod 2019. The Bethel musher arrived at the Nome finish line in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, March 13, with 8 dogs in his team.

Expect an Iditarod Finish Early Wednesday — and Possibly, a Chase to Nome

By KNOM Radio | March 12, 2019

Looking down a snow-covered street in a rural Alaska town with a large "Iditarod" banner hanging overhead and a carved wooden archway standing in the center of the street.

Around 2 to 4am Wednesday morning: that’s when KNOM expects a championship finish in Iditarod 2019. Bethel musher Pete Kaiser holds a slim yet potentially decisive lead: 6 miles ahead of Joar Leifseth Ulsom, with only 50 miles to the finish line. Nonetheless, Kaiser’s victory is far from certain.

77 Miles — and, Perhaps, Joar Leifseth Ulsom — Stand Between Pete Kaiser and Iditarod Victory

By KNOM Radio | March 12, 2019

Musher in orange and black parka leads a sled dog team down a frozen river, with pine trees in the background

Bethel musher Pete Kaiser is 77 miles from his first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race victory. But first he must hold off the race’s defending champion, Joar Leifseth Ulsom, hungry for a repeat win.

A Warming Arctic Hits Iditarod: Open Water Along the Trail Where There’s Normally Ice

By KNOM Radio | March 12, 2019 |

Aerial view of Unalakleet during winter, with open water along the coast.

Usually, in March, the Bering Sea ice is reaching its thickest extent. But from the beach in Unalakleet, the full horizon is blue ocean water, punctuated infrequently by lone icebergs. Typically, in winter, the shore is silent, save the slight tinkling of ice shifting. This year, you can hear waves.

In Koyuk, Kaiser Takes Iditarod’s Lead

By Davis Hovey | March 11, 2019 |

Man in black parka rides sled along a snowy trail

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has a new leader — Bethel musher Pete Kaiser — after Nic Petit’s team stalled on the sea ice Sunday night.

Petit Leads Iditarod Out of Unalakleet

By KNOM Radio | March 11, 2019 |

Musher in red vest, seen from behind, answers questions to a large group of closely-gathered reporters, many holding cameras or microphones.

As of Sunday night, Nic Petit is in the driver’s seat of the 2019 Iditarod. The Girdwood musher leads the race by a few hours, but a hungry pack of mushers are looking for an opening.

Iditarod 2019, Day 7: Jockeying on the Yukon

By KNOM Radio | March 8, 2019

Iditarod’s lead mushers pushed to the Yukon River checkpoints as Thursday night turned into Friday morning. Nicolas Petit was first to Anvik, but other mushers remain competitive as the sun heads toward the horizon Friday night. Here’s a recap of KNOM’s coverage of Iditarod on Friday, March 8.