SPORTS ZONE 2: Dog Sled Racing

Dog sled racing is popular in Alaska and Martin Buser is enjoying both the dog sled racing and winning.

Martin Buser won his fourth Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race on Tuesday, March 12, 2002. He won the race in record time!

Buser, who is from Big Lake, Alaska, enjoyed near-perfect trail conditions and clear skies for the majority of this race, which was 1,100-miles long. The competition began in Anchorage, Alaska and ended in Nome, Alaska. Upon his arrival to the finish line in Nome, a crowd lined Front Street to welcome him as the winner.

Buser traveled near the front of the pack for the first half of the race, but then pulled away to be the clear leader and winner by the halfway point in Cripple, Alaska. His win this year follows a 24th place finish last year, which was his worst finish in 15 years.

Buser clearly remembered his 24th place last year as he stated his intent for the race this year. He stated that his goal was to go "from worst to first." Buser credits the performance this year on his renewed focus on training - spending more time with his dogs. His effort definitely paid off.

Buser broke the race record of 9 days and 58 minutes. Doug Swingley of Lincoln, Montana set this record in the year 2000.

Buser won $62,800.00 and a new pick-up truck. Congratulations to him! Click here to tell us what you think about this story!

Read SPORTS ZONE 1: NCAA basketball tournament