Yukon Quest winner Schnuelle turns sights on Iditarod

March 02, 2009

by Channel 2 News staff
Sunday, March 1, 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- It was once thought to be impossible. Now Sebastian Schnuelle will try to disprove it's impossible for anyone not named Lance Mackey.

Schnuelle, who won the grueling Yukon Quest on Feb. 24, will try to pull off his own version of the Mackey Miracle beginning Saturday as the 2009 Iditarod kicks off.

Before Mackey did it in 2007, no musher had ever won the Quest and Iditarod in the same year. To show it was no fluke, Mackey did it again in 2008.

With the mushing's biggest star on the sidelines for the Quest this year, Schnuelle stepped into the role of winner, and is slated to run in the Iditarod as well.

Four other mushers who competed in the Quest are also entered: Hugh Neff (finished second), Martin Buser (fourth), Warren Palfrey (ninth) and Hans Gatt (scratched in Dawson City).

They'll all have to contend with Mackey, who will try to become the Iditarod's third three-peat champion, plus four-time winner Jeff King.

In all, 67 mushers are entered to start this year's race. It all begins Saturday in downtown Anchorage with the ceremonial start, which can be seen live on Channel 2.

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