ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The signup deadline for Iditarod XL has passed with 65 mushers commited to the world famous sled dog race, but expect the field to grow past 70 teams by the time eligible entries that were postmarked prior to Wednesday night's deadline are accepted.
Iditarod Executive Director Stan Hooley confirms that Rick Swenson, the race's only five-time champion, is among those who have entries that are currently in the mail. Swenson, who also holds the Iditarod career record of 34 finishes, had not signed up prior to this week but it looks like he will participate in the 40th Iditarod.
Swenson's addition means that six previous champions are signed up for the 2012 race. The other five are 2011 champion John Baker, four-time winners Martin Buser, Jeff King, and Lance Mackey, and 2004 winner Mitch Seavey.
For a complete list of mushers, click here:
