Bjørnar Andersen (27) left Norway for Alaska on February 21 to take part in the world's longest sled dog race, the Iditarod. Andersen has one goal: Winning the race. He is starting the race with what is considered the best team of dogs that has ever left Norway.
From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast, each team of 12 to 16 dogs cover over 1150 miles. In comparison, the distance from Los Angeles to Seattle is 1130 miles.
Several of the 16 Huskies Andersen is racing with were parts of the winning team Robert Sørlie used in 2005. Sørlie is now in Alaska as Andersen's handler, and is also his uncle. During the race, Sørlie is not allowed to assist Andersen in any way, apart from following the race from checkpoint to checkpoint as the dogs make their way through the Alaskan wilderness.
Thursday, March 16: The last Norwegians crossed the finish line early this morning: Norwegian couple Tore Albrigtsen and Tove Sørensen reached Nome at the same time at 4.30 this morning, in 28th and 29th place respectively.
Wednesday, March 15: The first runners in the Iditarod crossed the finish line this morning: American Jeff King won the race, closely followed by Doug Swingley and Paul Gebhardt. Andersen is still on his way to the last checkpoint in Nome, and is currently in sixth place. DeeDee Jonrowe and John Baker occupy fourth and fifth place respectively.
UPDATE: Bjørnar Andersen crossed the finish line in sixth place this morning at 8.02 am, Alaskan time! This is an outstanding result for the young Norwegian, who rushed into Nome by the Bering Sea with 6 dogs after spending 9 days, 18 hours, 2 minutes and 35 seconds pacing through the icy Alaskan wilderness. Tore and Tove Albrigtsen are currently in 23rd and 24th place respectively, and are serious contenders in the race to be "Rookie of the Year".
Tuesday, March 14: Bjørnar arrived in Koyuk in 7th place on Monday night. There, he made a 6-hour rest, before he started mushing towards Elim, the fifth last checkpoint separating the mushers from the finish line. The trip to Elim took Andersen 6 hours and 36 minutes. WIth 11 dogs, Andersen is now heading through the arctic winds toward White Mountain.
Monday, March 13: Andersen has left Shaktoolik for Koyuk checkpoint in 5th place in a race that is becoming increasingly dramatic. He has gained 1 hour on the current leader, Jeff King, and the distance between 1st and 5th position is now 7 hours. Andersen is currently mushing with 13 dogs, after one dog was taken out of the team at Galena due to a sore shoulder. Tore Albrigtsen and Tove Sørensen have left the Kaltag checkpoint, and are currently racing in 28th and 29th place.
Tore Albrigtsen and Tove Sørensen on the Yukon River through blowing snow and 30mph winds
Sunday, March 12: Reports from Team Norway's Kjetil Backen indicate that Bjørnar Andersen has - for unknown reasons - chosen to divert from the carefully composed race plan. Bjørnar is currently enroute the 90 miles leg from Kaltag to Unalakleet, a dramatic part of the racecourse which follows the coastal tundra from the Yukon to the Bearing Sea. Bjørnar is still racing with 14 dogs and keeping good speed, but will he be able to close the gap to the strong leaders and Iditarod veterans Jeff King and Doug Swingley? Tore Albrigtsen and Tove Sørensen have left the Nulato checkpoint on the Yukon, and are currently racing in 29th and 30th place. 11 out of the 83 starting contestants are now out of The Last Great Race.
Saturday, March 11: Team Norway's Bjørnar Andersen and his dogs are still going strong. Bjørnar is currently at the Nulato checkpoint on the Yukon River, some 719 miles into the race. Tore Albrigtsen and Tove Sørensen are currently at the Galena checkpoint, holding their positions in 30th and 31st place. 10 out of the 83 starting contestants are now out of Iditarod 2006.
Friday, March 10: Bjørnar Andersen has completed his compulsory 24-hour rest at the Cripple checkpoint and has arrived at the Ruby checkpoint in 8th position. According to Team Norway's reports, Andersen is in good spirits and following the team's race schedule. First time Iditarod contestants,Tore Albrigtsen and wife Tove Sørensen from Tromsø, Norway, are currently in 29th and 35th place.
Thursday, March 9: Bjørnar Andersen raced into Cripple in fourth place, about 20 minutes behind John Baker and 20 minutes ahead of Ed Iten. Robert Sørlie reports from Takotna (previoius checkpoint) that Bjørnar is following the plan and that all dogs look fit and fine. Other Norwegian contestants, Tore Albrigtsen and wife Tove Sørensen, are in 32nd and 33rd place. 4 out of the 83 starting contestants are out of the grueling race.
Wednesday, March 8: As the race enters its fourth day, it is getting increasingly dramatic. Racer Paul Gebhardt crashed into a tree, losing all his dogs. The driver did not sustain any injuries, but the dogs had to be recovered by snowmobiles. At this point the race is still tight, and with the riders making stops to get some sleep, the real race standings will not be made clear until a few more days into the race. At the last two checkpoints, Nikolai and McGrath, Norwegian Bjørnar Andersen came in as no. 11 and 8 respectively. He left the McGrath checkpoint as number 18, with 15 dogs.
Tuesday, March 7: Andersen advanced 15 positions when entering into the Rohn checkpoint late last night. He is still running with 16 dogs, and it seems as though his strategy of going slightly slower but also slightly farther than his competitors is paying off.
Monday, March 6: Bjørnar has left the checkpoint in Willow, and passed Knik and Yenta. Currently he is positioned as #19 in Skwentna. He arrived at Skwentna 22:23 AST with 16 dogs and rested for five hours. He has been racing 80 miles so far.
Sunday, March 5: Bjørnar left Anchorage at 11:14 Alaskan Standard Time with 12 dogs.
Saturday, March 4: Start, Downtown Anchorage, Alaska: 83 Teams Leave 4th Avenue on a Sunny Anchorage Morning. As heavy morning fog gave way to clear blue skies, Iditarod XXXIV got underway in downtown Anchorage. Thousands of race fans from all over the world were on hand to be a part of the 'Last Great Race on Earth'. The first leg of the race is a ceremonial showcase for the fans only.