Swenson Fights Blizzard to Lead Iditarod

Four-time winner Rick Swenson pushed through a blizzard Thursday to take the lead in the home stretch of the 1,163-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome.

As Swenson neared the last race checkpoint, he flashed a “thumbs up” sign to passing snowmobilers. Several other leaders remained stormbound miles behind. The finish line was only 22 miles away.

Earlier in the day, extreme blizzard conditions forced Swenson to take shelter in an abandoned cabin.

Susan Butcher had more than a one-hour lead on Swenson when she left the White Mountain checkpoint, but she lost the trail in blowing, drifting snow and returned to White Mountain about six hours after she left.

She was soon followed by Tim Osmar and 1989 winner Joe Runyan.

“I don’t think anybody prudently would want to go through this. It’s too much,” Runyan said. “(Swenson and Martin Buser) can take care of themselves. But still, it’s pretty tough to be out there . . . you’re really vulnerable.”