Friday, September 19, 2003
Scdoris will be guided by another musher
Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A blind musher will be allowed to
compete in the 2004 Iditarod Dog Sled Race, board members of the
Iditarod Trail Committee decided Friday.
The board voted unanimously to waive certain rules to allow
Rachael Scdoris, 18, of Redmond, Ore., to be guided by another
musher to advise her of trail conditions. The board also approved
use of two-way radios so the pair can communicate.
"It was a fair compromise that will allow Rachael to realize
her dream," said Rick Koch, the board chairman.
Scdoris had hoped the board would allow her to be accompanied by
two veteran mushers on snowmobiles, but she said she was happy with
the decision.
Existing Iditarod rules allow competitors to receive assistance
only from competing mushers. Verbal coaching from noncompetitors
and use of radios and other communication equipment also is
forbidden.
Scdoris has congenital achromatopsia, a retinal condition that
impairs her ability to see clearly.
Scdoris is one of 81 entrants for the 2004 race so far,
including 29 rookies. It begins in Anchorage on March 6.
