ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Mitch Seavey, the 2004 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion, has been withdrawn from this year’s race.
Race marshal Mark Nordman decided not to allow Seavey to continue the race because of a severe injury to his hand. Officials say Seavey injured his fingers while cutting open a bale of straw. The mishap occurred at the Ophir checkpoint, 444 miles from Anchorage.
Seavey was scheduled to be flown Thursday from the checkpoint to Anchorage.
The 51-year-old musher said at the start of the race that it was important he get another Iditarod win. He said his team was capable of reaching Nome ahead of defending champion Lance Mackey — with four consecutive wins under his belt — or any of the other previous champions in the race.
