News Release

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – (Dec. 17, 2003)

Perfect Last Minute Gift for the Adventurer

This holiday season, give a truly unique gift the adventure lover will treasure for years to come: the opportunity to experience first-hand the one-of-a-kind thrill of the 2004 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which takes place in Anchorage, Alaska, March 6, 2004. A spot in one of the 2004 Iditarod contenders’ sled baskets is available to the highest bidders in the Idita-Rider Auction.

Idita-Riders, tucked snugly in Iditarod mushers’ sled baskets, have an up-close view of the exhilarating action. The air crackles with excitement as teams of 16 dogs, barking and prancing in eager anticipation of the journey ahead, bolt down snow-covered Fourth Avenue with mushers and lucky Idita-Riders in tow. Thousands of onlookers line the sidewalks and trails to catch a glimpse of the teams, cheering them on to victory.

Idita-Riders will receive an exclusive ride in the sled basket of an Iditarod musher for the first 11 miles of the 2004 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. In addition to the ride, Idita-Riders can take part in numerous pre-Iditarod functions.

“More than 500 people have participated as Idita-Riders since the program began in 1995,” said Stan Hooley, executive director for the Iditarod Trail Committee, Inc. “Several of the participants have come back for a fifth or sixth time because it was so much fun.” Past celebrity Idita-Riders include comedian Joanne Rivers, actress Susan Lucci, former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley, and Gary Collins. Final bid totals for 2003 were $103,557.

Becoming an Idita-Rider is easy. Interested persons can participate in the auction by bidding on a specific musher. Bids will be accepted through 12 p.m. AST, Friday, Jan. 23, 2004. Minimum bids begin at $500.

Currently 86 mushers have signed up to participate in the 2004 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. For more information on the Iditarod or to download 2004 Idita-Rider Auction forms, visit www.iditarod.com. For additional Anchorage adventures, explore www.anchorage.net or call 1-800-478-1255 for a 2004 Official Anchorage Visitors Guide.

High resolution images of Idita-Riders available. Contact Nance Larsen.

CONTACT:

Deby Trosper
Idita-Rider Musher Auction Coordinator
(907) 352-2212, deby.trosper@iditarod.com
Visit www.iditarod.com

Nance Larsen
Director of Communications, ACVB
(907) 257-2310, nlarsen@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net