The Unalakleet Eight
Following the close of the 2020 Iditarod Trail Invitational a few weeks ago, the ITI team recognized the need for novel measures to remedy an unprecedented situation during the race caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
On the evening of March 19th, a large storm surge in the Norton Sound disrupted the sea ice and caused widespread flooding. In response to the incident, search and rescue personnel were dispatched to retrieve Jussi Karjalainen and Toni Lund, the athletes closest to the Norton Sound, while the ITI team investigated the extent of the damage to the Iditarod Trail. All other athletes were asked to shelter in place once they reached a checkpoint and until the close of the safety investigation.
The investigation revealed that the storm surge had made all routes over the Sound from Shaktoolik to Koyuk impassable due to open water or overflow. Faced with no consistent overland trails between the villages and the urgency of reacting to the effects of the pandemic, the ITI leadership decided to stop the race for the eight athletes who had not crossed the Norton Sound and to evacuate them immediately from Unalakleet.
Had the athletes encountered a similar situation with the sea ice in a normal year, they would have been provided an opportunity to investigate and consider their options before withdrawing from the race. But, faced with the gravity of responding quickly to the coronavirus pandemic, the 8 athletes were not afforded that opportunity. Given that they were directed to stop in Unalakleet by the ITI, we believe that their results should not reflect that they scratched, or withdrew, from the race. Instead, each of those athletes will be listed as “Finished in Unalakleet” in the 2020 ITI 1000 results.
Congratulations to the Unalakleet Eight on their perseverance and composure during an extraordinarily challenging year.
The Unalakleet Eight (from left to right): Willy Mulonia, Roberto Gazzoli, Jussi Karjalainen, Toni Lund, Asbjorn Bruun, Beat Jegerlehner. Graham Muir, George Adams.