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/ Archived Race Coverage / Jeff King Wins Iditarod XXXIV
Jeff King Wins Iditarod XXXIV
The Denali Musher Claims his Fourth Iditarod Title
by Andy Moderow
03/15/2006
Under a full moon, with festival lighting strung overhead, Jeff King stood on top of his sled, arms high in the air: And the crowd roared. Early Wednesday morning, revelers headed out onto Nomes Front Street to welcome the previously three-time Iditarod Champion Jeff King. After 9 Days, 11 Hours, 11 Minutes and 36 Seconds, his team glided under the arch, looking just as strong as they did arriving in Unalakleet two days earlier. Upon arrival, King was reunited with two members of his family: Daughter Ellen and wife Donna were equally excited as he by his fourth Iditarod victory. His two other daughters, Cali and Tessa, couldnt make it to Nome from the colleges that they are attending, but that didnt stop Jeff from talking to them: Guys, we did it! he said through the camera. After completing one last sled check, Jeffs time and win became official. He now joins the elite club of four-time winners, including Martin Buser, Susan Butcher, Doug Swingley and Rick Swenson (who has won 5 Iditarods). King also has the distinction of being the oldest musher to win the Last Great Race, at the age of 50.
With one musher in and seventy-one still on the trail, the Iditarod is far from over. Doug Swingley will arrive later this morning, and 6 other teams are currently completing the final run from White Mountain to Nome. Tonight, however, the streets of Nome belong to Jeff King and his team: Another chapter in Iditarod history has been written.
