Dallas Seavey made history Tuesday night when he won the 2012 Iditarod Sled Dog Race, becoming the youngest musher ever to do so, at just 25-years-old. He was followed into Nome, Alaska, by Ally Zirkle, who claimed second place. Ramey Smyth, who was once in 30th place, finished third.
Iditarod 2012: Dallas Seavey Bests Ally Zirkle To Become Youngest-Ever Champion
Seavey’s total time in the 975-mile race, stretching from Wasilla to Nome, was nine days, four hours, 29 minutes and 26 seconds, good for seventh-fastest ever on the northern route. Martin Buser owns the record, making the run in eight days and 22 hours in 2002. Seavey turned 25 during the race (March 4), making him the youngest champion in the history of the famous sled dog race (Carl Huntington was 26 when he won in 1974).
Zirkle finished exactly one hour after Seavey -- the eighth-quickest run. She led most of the race but Seavey’s strategy to conserve speed was just too much to overcome the past few days.
“We built the winning team during the race,” Seavey said, crediting the win on the mid-race restraint he showed even as others leaped ahead. “As soon as (other) teams really started coming together, they took off and started racing and tore it all apart.”
Seavey was among the first people to greet Zirkle in Nome.
“That race was fun,” he added. “Let’s do this again next year.”
“I’ll get back to you after that first beer,” Zirkle replied.
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