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Congressman Don Young Congratulates Jeff King on His Fourth Iditarod Win

Washington, D.C., Mar 15 -

Alaska Congressman Don Young today congratulated Jeff King for winning his fourth Iditarod with what Mr. King called the best sled dog team he's ever had, finishing the 1,100-mile race in 9 days, 11 hours, and 11 minutes.

"I am very excited about Jeff King; he has kept a good team together starting out with three year olds and probably averaging up to 7 year olds. Jeff has displayed a fine example of what you can achieve with good team work. I am proud of him and I congratulate his accomplishments. He is a fine example of Alaska. He has achieved a very difficult feat winning the Iditarod for four years running; that is an absolutely phenomenal record to achieve. I will see you at the banquet and I look forward to seeing the presentation made to you. Again I congratulate you," said Congressman Young.

The race officially started March 5 in Willow. The ceremonial start was held a day earlier in downtown Anchorage. The Iditarod commemorates a dogsled relay in 1925 that carried serum 674 miles from Nenana to Nome to stop a diphtheria outbreak. Eighty-three mushers started this year's race and 11 scratched. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race passes through 24 checkpoints in villages and wilderness cabins strung along the route. The trail meanders over two steep mountain ranges, the wide, windy Yukon River, and a final stretch up the Bering Sea coast.