Sportswoman. Four-time winner of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, she first became interested in sled dogs at 16. In 1972, she attended Colorado State University where she trained as a veterinary technician; she also worked with a local musher. By 1975 she moved to Alaska and began training for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. She competed for the first time in 1978, and finished 19th, the fourth woman ever to complete the run. She competed in the Iditarod every year following, and finished first in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990, and came in second three times; finishing in the top five twelve times. She was the first person to win the Iditarod in three consecutive years, and one of only two people to win the Iditarod four times. She broke nine speed records in significant international races including the Iditarod in 1987; Iditarod in 1990; Beargrease in 1990; Kusko in 1988; Kotzebue in 1989; Kobuk in 1989. She was the first, and to date, only person to take a dog team to the summit of Mt. McKinley. She earned numerous awards for her prowess, including the National Women's Sports Foundation Amateur Athlete of The Year Award, the Tanquerey Athlete of the Year; and the U.S. Victor Award for Female Athlete of the Year two years in a row. She opened Trail Breaker Kennels and bred her own Huskies, eventually caring for almost 150 dogs. She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005. After treatment, the illness went into remission, but she succumbed the following year from complications following a bone marrow transplant. She is widely regarded as the greatest of the sled-dog racers, no other competitor so thoroughly dominated the sport.
Sportswoman. Four-time winner of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, she first became interested in sled dogs at 16. In 1972, she attended Colorado State University where she trained as a veterinary technician; she also worked with a local musher. By 1975 she moved to Alaska and began training for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. She competed for the first time in 1978, and finished 19th, the fourth woman ever to complete the run. She competed in the Iditarod every year following, and finished first in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990, and came in second three times; finishing in the top five twelve times. She was the first person to win the Iditarod in three consecutive years, and one of only two people to win the Iditarod four times. She broke nine speed records in significant international races including the Iditarod in 1987; Iditarod in 1990; Beargrease in 1990; Kusko in 1988; Kotzebue in 1989; Kobuk in 1989. She was the first, and to date, only person to take a dog team to the summit of Mt. McKinley. She earned numerous awards for her prowess, including the National Women's Sports Foundation Amateur Athlete of The Year Award, the Tanquerey Athlete of the Year; and the U.S. Victor Award for Female Athlete of the Year two years in a row. She opened Trail Breaker Kennels and bred her own Huskies, eventually caring for almost 150 dogs. She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005. After treatment, the illness went into remission, but she succumbed the following year from complications following a bone marrow transplant. She is widely regarded as the greatest of the sled-dog racers, no other competitor so thoroughly dominated the sport.
Bio by: Iola
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