March 10, 2015 - Saturday marked the Ceremonial Start of the 2015 Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska (The official start was yesterday in Fairbanks). I can't remember the last time I watched the event, which fills downtown Anchorage with the excited yips and howls of hundreds of dogs that are SO excited to get on the trail. Not to mention tons of mushers and spectators as well. It's quite a production, and there's a great community vibe to the event. This year was particularly odd because it has been such a bizarrely snow-less winter. Crews had to bring in truckloads of snow to cover the fourth avenue downtown, and put in significant effort to make the entire 11-mile track mushable for the dog teams. Even so, there were several spots that were pretty much entirely devoid of snow. It was the first time I've shot the event, and I must say it was a blast - great energy, and a challenge to find a unique perspective, since most of the state's photographers were there (fun to see friends out on the course, too!). I was on assignment for DPA/Deutche Presse-Agenteur for the day. Here are some favorites from the day, one of which ended up on Yahoo!News Germany, here.
One of Monica Zappa's sled dogs awaits its turn to be harnessed for the ceremonial start of the 2015 Iditarod in Anchorage, Alaska. March 7, 2015.
Dogs are led to the start of the Iditarod Ceremonial Start by mushers' assistants and dog handlers in Anchorage, Alaska on February 7, 2015.
Dogs of musher Thomas Waerner of Norway (bib #8) leap excitedly in the air waiting for their turn to start down fourth avenue in downtown Anchorage Alaska on March 7, 2015.
Iditarog sled dogs' paws are protected by fabric dog "booties" at the Ceremonial start of the 2015 Iditarod sled dog race in Anchorage, Alaska on March 7, 2015.
Jodi Bailey of Fairbanks mushes down Fourth Avenue in Anchorage Alaska at the Iditarod's Ceremonial Start on March 7, 2015. Snow was brought in by trucks to accomodate the race due to lack of snowfall.
Onlookers cheer as Mitch Seavey of Sterling, Alaska crosses the starting line of the 2015 Iditarod Ceremonial Start on March 7, 2015. Seavey won the race in 2004 and again in 2015.
Linwood Fiedler of Wasilla, Alaska makes a sharp right turn onto Cordova street in downtown Anchorage at the Ceremonial Start of the 2015 Iditarod Sled Dog Race.
Bib 52, musher Rick Casillo and his dog team mushed over minimal snow next to Tudor Road in Anchorage Alaska during the Ceremonial Start of the 2015 Iditarod.
Becca Moore of Willow and her dog handler passed crowds of young people in Anchorage Alaska during the Iditarod's Ceremonial Start. March 7, 2015. Teams faced warm temperatures and lack of snow on the 11 mile ceremonial start route.
Dog teams ran next to bare grass in the unusually warm temperatures and limited snow during the Ceremonial Start of the 2015 Iditarod. Anchorage, Alaska. March 7, 2015.