No ESPY for Lance - 2008 Best Outdoor Athlete Goes to Scott Smiley, mountain climber - Scott Smiley was Blinded by a suicide blast in Mosul, Iraq, in April 2005, he hasn't let his injuries stop him from remaining in the Army, pursuing a master's in business administration at Duke University in North Carolina or climbing Mount Rainier in Washington state in July 2007. The 14,410-foot climb, which only half of about 10,000 annual climbers actually complete, according to the "Seattle Post-Intelligencer," earned Smiley a nomination as "Best Outdoor Athlete," for the 2008 ESPY awards.

While Lance didn't grab the Best Outdoor Athlete of the year he said it was a complete honor to be nominated and mingle with such great athletes. The 2008 ESPY's, hosted by Justin Timberlake was taped Wednesday night for rebroadcast Sunday night at 9:00PM ET. on ESPN.

The folllowing is a list of the winners in their respective categories:
Male Athlete: Tiger Woods, golf. Female Athlete: Candace Parker, Tennessee and Los Angeles SparksTeam: Boston Celtics Coach-Manager: Pat Summitt, Tennessee women's basketball Comeback: Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers Breakthrough Athlete: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings Game: New York Giants defeat New England Patriots, Super BowlRecord-breaking Performance: Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers Championship Performance: Tiger Woods, U.S. Open Play: New York Giants QB Eli Manning's pass to David Tyree, Super Bowl Moment: Central Washington's Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, Western Oregon's Sara Tucholsky for sportsmanship Finish: Western Kentucky's Ty Rogers hitting buzzer beater to defeat Drake in first round of NCAA men's basketball tournament Upset: New York Giants defeat New England Patriots, Super Bow lSports Movie: "Semi-Pro"Male College Athlete: Tim Tebow, Florida football Female College Athlete: Candace Parker, Tennessee basketball Women's Collegiate Team: Tennessee basketballMale Action Sport Athlete: Shaun White, skateboarding/snowboarding Female Action Sport Athlete: Gretchen Bleiler, snowboarding Male Athlete With A Disability: Ryan Kocer, wrestlingFemale Athlete With a Disability: Shay Oberg, softball Male International Athlete: Rafael Nadal, tennis Female International Athlete: Lorena Ochoa, golf Baseball Player: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees NBA Player: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers WNBA Player: Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm NFL Player: Tom Brady, New England Patriots NHL Player: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins Bowler: Norm Duke Driver: Jimmie Johnson Fighter: Floyd Mayweather, boxingGolfer: Tiger Woods Jockey: Kent Desormeaux MLS Player: David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy Male Tennis Player: Roger Federer Female Tennis Player: Maria SharapovaTrack and Field Athlete: Tyson Gay Outdoor Athlete: Scott Smiley, mountain climber Arthur Ashe Courage Award: John Carlos and Tommie Smith, 1968 Olympic medalists Jimmy V ESPY for Perseverance: Kevin Everett, former Buffalo Bills tight endLike Nothing Else Award: George Martin walks across America

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Lance is nominated for a 2008 ESPY - We are thrilled to announce that Lance Mackey has been selected as an ESPY nominee for the second year in a row in the category of "Best Outdoors Athlete". The ESPY Awards are the one night each year where athletes from all sports join together to celebrate the best moments of the year. The ESPY Awards take place on July 20th at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The show is hosted by Justin Timberlake and promises to be extraordinary. Fans will have the chance to select the winners by voting online at Online voting continues through July 12 at 11:59 p.m. ET at either ESPYS.tv , or on mobile phones. All proceeds from the ESPY Awards and related events benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research in memory of the late Jim Valvano.

The ESPY Awards is an annual sports awards event created and broadcast by American cable television network ESPN. Begun in 1993, the event confers eponymous awards, fully styled as Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, for individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance during the calendar year preceding a given ceremony.

From their inception until 2004, the awards were chosen variously through voting by fans; sportswriters, broadcasters, sports executives, and sportspersons, collectively experts; or ESPN personalities. Award winners have been selected thereafter exclusively through online fan balloting conducted from amongst candidates selected the ESPY Select Nominating Committee.

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Lance autographs a patch for the "Larry" appreciation club designed by Sarida Steed-Bradley

68 Mushers head for
Iditarod HQ for Sign Up
As of Saturday June 28th, 68 mushers had signed up with a 100 musher limit. Mushers that do not make the cut off will go on a waiting list.

Arriving in style, Lance, Tonya and son Cain pulled up at Iditarod Headquarters in the Dodge Super Bee he won in last years Iditarod from Anchorage Chrysler Dodge.

Lance, along with many other mushers lined up to pay the $4,000 dollar entry fee for the 2009 Iditarod. "It's definetly a big chunk of change to put up when you have increasing prices in dog food, fuel and just everyday living expenses." says Lance "But, Iditarod is feeling the pinch as well. The money has to come from somewhere".

Lance spent the day talking to volunteers and fans and signing autographs.

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Lance & wife Tonya

THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Mackey's Comeback Kennel would like to give a very special "Thank You" for your support with this years racing season. Without your support our kennel, would not be as successful as it is today. We have had another incrediable record year. It didn't come easy or without a lot of hard work and support from many of you behind the scenes. We can't thank you enough.
As with all sports and competitors, we are already thinking of how to improve our training and racing for next year. One way is to be at the top of the sign-up list in every race, which bring us to The Iditarod. The first day for the 2009 Iditarod sign-up is the 28th of June 2008. lt is important to sign-up early for many reasons. This years entry is $4000.00. This is a BIG expense for any kennel.

The first day of the Iditarod sign-up includes a huge picnic for volunteers, you get to meet the mushers, eat a BBQ catered, win lot's of door prizes. I hope to see some of you there so I can thank you personally for your support.

By the way, for all of you visiting Fairbanks, I will be at the Alpine Lodge every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday evening from 8 pm -10 pm, signing autographs and sharing trail stories through June & some of July. Call the Alpine Lodge before you drop by for any schedule changes at 907-328-6300. It's a great place to stay if you need lodging as well. Tell them Lance Mackey sent you.

                                                                     Thank you, Lance & Tonya Mackey

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Lance & new pups

Early Father's Day
for Zorro!!!
June 4th 2008

Zorro has had enough of the foo-foo treatment and has opted for returning to his old dog house deep within the 90 plus sled dogs in the Mackey dog lot.

The fur has grown back over the cracked ribs. There is only a hint of where the accident occurred in Zorro's hips, where he occasionally sits to rest them.

Zorro has something new to brag about as he returns to his team mates in the dog lot. The Mackey's announced that Zorro is the proud pappa of 9 healthy puppies.

Retirement is grand!

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...and how is Zorro? 05/11/08
Zorro is doing well. He continues to insist that outdoors is better than in.
He has a nice spot in the sun, just outside the familes front door where he
overlooks the entire Mackey kennel. A spot where Lance can closely watch his progress.

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ZORRO UPDATE: APRIL 30th 2008
Zorro improves daily, sunning on the Mackey's home porch. He continues to choose the outdoors over the comfort of a couch. Lance says "he has the mind of a 2 year old, he still wants to run and play, but his body reminds him that it is not possible yet." Each day he gains strength in his back and hips. He has the will power to heal and resume being the dog he once was.

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Lance Mackey & Ron Udd

Anchorage Chysler Dodge Presents Lance
with Key
Lance was all grins today. Like a teenager with his very first car. Lance received his 2008 Iditarod Dodge key, part of his winnings in this years Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

He surprised everyone by choosing a beautiful Dodge Charger instead of the traditional truck.

"It was a tough decision," Lance said with a twist of the head "but when I saw that pretty blue Doge Charger in the showroom, it was screaming at me" he smiled. "I have trucks for mushing, they just need some work, transmissons replaced or some cosmetic touches. This will be a better family car and better on gas".

"Ron Udd, owner of the Anchorage Chysler Dodge dealership, is an amazing guy for his continued sponsorship with Iditarod year after year". Lance says with pride, "He's my hero. The man just gives and gives".

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The Big Mackey !!!!!
Stand Aside MacDonalds. Alaska now has the "Lance Burger". Served at Mia's Cafe (22.5 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road - near Fairbanks ) and consists of 12 ounces of plain or garlic-seasoned beef - cooked rare, medium or well-done. It's topped with lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions, cheese, bacon, mushrooms and jalapenos on a sesame seed bun. The owner of Mia's cafe, Elliot Lowe says "Lance is a WINNER and we think his hamburger is too !!" $1 from the sale of every Lance burger will be donated to this exceptional musher.

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Zorro Continues to Mend - APRIL 17, 2008
With lot's of loving and fussing from the Mackey family, Zorro is doing amazing. "He still has his limits" says Lance " little baby steps each day. He's like me in this healing process. He does'nt want to sit around. He'd go crazy. So everyday he does what he can. He's standing for periods of time. When he gets tired he sits. I know it's frustrating for him. He's nine years old now, it's tough to bounce back from an injury when your older". explains Lance.

In Alaska's mid morning sun, Zorro enjoys sitting on the porch for a half hour over looking the dog lot where he once ruled. Then it's back to his cozy kennel indoors.

"It will be a slow transition to the house for Zorro. I think eventually he will take a liking to the couch life. We are thankful we still have him around, hopefully for many years to come. It's a real blessing." Lance says with a sigh of relief.

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"Zorro" photo by Jan DeNapoli

Zorro Update - April 8th 2008
Although weak and confined to a kennel, Zorro is happy to be back home amongst his kennel mates. Lance explains "his brain says I want to be back outdoors playing with the rest of the sled dogs, but his physical body says, not yet'.

"Zorro has been wagging his tail and tilting his head to the sky recognizing familar smells and sounds. We are all glad to see him home. The doctors say he must stay calm, no running, jumping or breeding for this stud for at least 4 months" says Lance.

Sincere thanks
for all your support!
There has been a tremendous response to helping with Zorro's medical bills and travel expenses. "People just helped us with open arms". Lance says with a heart felt sigh "We are so grateful to all the folks in Seattle and Tacoma, and all of those who sent us donations. Wonderful get well cards have been arriving in the mail every day with doggie cookies and blankets just for Zorro" wife Tonya adds."It's incrediable".

"We are at awe at the support and thank all of you for your help, it was one less worry on our minds as the days went by. We will never forget the kindness from so many". Lance and Tonya both said.

 

Mackey Makes the Top 25 List of Toughest Athletes
Lance Mackey is named on the top 25 list on Sports Illustrated CNN.com, taking #2
Read more....

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Update:Back Home - April 6th, 2008
Zorro has returned home and is wagging his tail. he is glad to be back in recognizable surroundings with his family and team mates.

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Iditarod champ dog heads home to begin retired life
By Bryan Johnson - 3/5/08 KOMO TV
The lead dog for Iditarod winner Lance Mackey is heading back home after receiving treatment at a Tacoma emergency hospital for what were described as potentially life-threatening injuries.

Read more...watch video clip.


Update on "Zorro" - April 2, 2008:
Zorro is in Seattle with Lance and Tonya. The best news is, vets have completed an MRI and Zorro will NOT need back surgery at this time. He has a minor concussion, some bruising on the lung, 3 broken ribs, swelling, bruising & bleeding on the spine with one injured disc. Zorro is responding to things around him. They expect, with time, he will get feeling in his back legs and be able to stand and walk. Zorro will be released friday evening from the Seattle vet clinic to come home and begin his long road to recovery with veterinarians in Fairbanks. Zorro will need 6-8 months of care and therapy. Doctors are optimistic for his recovery.

March 31, 2008:
Many of you are aware that Lance Mackey's dog "Zorro" was injured during the 2008 All Alaska Sweepstakes when a snow machine collided with his team. Zorro was in the sled bag when the machine struck his sled. Zorro sustained 3 broken ribs, some internal bleeding, and spinal injuries. He is not able to stand or use his back legs. Doctors are considering flying Zorro to Seattle for spinal surgery. We will know more when an MRI is done on Zorro this afternoon.

A lot of you have been asking about helping with expenses associated with Zorro's vet bills. They already are $3,700 and the cost will certainly climb if he needs to be flown to Seattle for surgery.

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Final race results of the
All Alaska Sweepstakes March 26th, 2008
Nome to Candle & back

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HE'S DONE IT AGAIN!!!!
The Fox from Fox, Alaska is the 2008 Iditarod Champion

photo by Donna Quante

UPDATE ON "HOBO"
For all of you asking..."Hobo", one of Lance's key lead dogs, is doing just fine. He was on antibiotics for a few days from a dog bite to his leg (a puncture). Nothing serious. He has healed wonderfully!

He is getting plently of TLC. Shorts walks in the late afternoon, extra helpings of Red Paw dog food and many nose kisses. He'll be ready for All Alaska Sweepstakes if called upon.

UPDATE ON "LARRY"
Sweet and wild "Larry" is all good. No worries. The cut on his foot (the pad) was minor, just an abrasion. It is healing quickly and he, as always, is jumping and screaming to go.

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OUR 2008 DOG BOOTIE SPONSORS
Patricia E Hanson, Cindy Cronin, Susan Underhill, Virginia McGirk, Bill & Joy Klein, Ken & Karen Fletcher, Frederick Borchert, Donna Schumacher, Iris Cantlon, SledDoggin.com, Marks Marks pack; Inky, Mimi, Gus, Gracie & Noel, Helen Hegener, June Price, Barbara and Jerry Lake - Hampton, TN,, Marlene Phillips, Linda Parlee, Cynthia E Wyatt, Donna Quante, Tommy & Denise Thomas Lakeland,FL, Romayne Kelly - Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK, Lyndy Nothstine, Jane Leschallas - Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire U.K., Carol Shaw - Princeton, La USA, Quilted Faces Seattle, Wa USA, Jan Beckstrand, Frank Hauze, Anne Lalone, George & Emilia Felty, Candace Jahelka, Nicole Rasely, Dianne Toebe, Michelle Cogburn, Robert Bibber, Barbara Chekroun, Opal Krout, Marc Sidell, The Rosemann Family, JoAnne Woolever, Lorna Harland, Bird Goodwin, Kevin Adams, Laura Boykin, Lela & Marvin Criswell, Fort Collins, CO, Janet and Bob Valenta, Pandu ( the newfoundland) and Iris (the Valley Mutt) who dream of running the iditarod & Richard Walsh Family, Kerry Pride DVM, Molly Brown, Lyndy Nothtstine, Ann Marie Garritano, MushingPros Inc., Susan McCracken, PATRICIA TODARO, Jeanne Horvath, Joann Flora, Kath Christensen, Imogene Schaeffer, Dana Baldwin, Randy & Alice Brunk, Kathleen Stouder, Sandra Taylor, Joan and Ron Short Big Stone Gap, VA, Joyce Cullen

Thank you so much for your help!
... Lance

Lance Mackey is the
2008 Iditarod Champion
The crowd cheered as Lance made his way down front street. People lined the streets of Nome for the second year in a row to welcome Lance Mackey into town. Cheers and chants "Mackey, Mackey, Mackey" echoed in the night as Lance ran down chute with his champion dog team, shaking hands and thanking spectators for coming out to see him finish.

He arrived March 12, 2008 at 02:46:48. His total was time 9 Days 11 Hours 46 Minutes 48 Seconds with "Hansom" & "Larry" in lead.

Lance has now proven that it can be done...running 2 thousand mile races back to back. It's more than luck. He's got the dogs, the training schedule and more importantly he clicks with his dogs. He's proven it 2 years in a row. Running the Yukon Quest & the Iditarod and winning them both. A champion that can "Run with dogs"
and you can bet he did RUN with them this year.

Lance Mackey, the 2008 Grand Iditarod Champion with
lead dogs "Larry" & Hansom"
photo by Dean L. Sanders

Lance tends to his team in the 2008 Quest photo by Tonga Mackey

Lance gratefully
accepts Yukon Quest Banquet Awards
Lance Mackey accepted his $40,000 first place prize, the Dawson Award, 4 ounces of gold, the Golden Harness awards went to his 2 new up and coming sled dogs, "Rev" and Hansom". “These are the real athletes and superstars,” Mackey said before the pair donned gold harnesses and wolfed down a steak on stage. “They were the go-to guys when I needed them the most. ... Hansom’s the brains and Rev’s the speed.”

More importantly, Lance was awarded the "Veterinarian’s Choice Award". Lance was visibly choked up. To Lance, this is winning, really winning. An award chosen by the Yukon Quest’s team of 14 veterinarians for his superb dog care on the trail, the man they call “invincible”. Lance finished with 11 dogs, more happy healthy dogs than anyone else. Eleven dogs who came into checkpoints with wagging tails and eager to continue on to the next check point. “This means more to me than winning this damn race,” Mackey said, his voice breaking. “Thank-you very much.”

Lance tends to his dogs on one of two 6 hour layovers

The race opened its doors to a men's division this year for the first time and extended the trail from 120 miles to 200, making it a Yukon Quest and an Iditarod qualifier.

Temperatures were ideal for the dogs, at a crisp -20 for most of the race. The front runners encountered 65 mph winds as they passed through the last few miles of the Denali Highway near the finish line. One musher said she hunkered down and wrapped her arms around her handle bars to keep from getting blown off her sled. By the time the middle of the pack past through that area the winds had died down considerably, the only sign was multiple mounds of snow drifts dotting the trail. Two mushers had to scratch due to some dog issues, but remained on the trail to complete the 200 mile race route, driving their teams into Paxson late Sunday evening to a small cheering of spectators.

Lance was the fisrt to cross the finish line in the men's divison with a time of 33:44.

Complete 2007 Gin Gin 200 Race results:

Men's Division (1) Lance Mackey - 33:44 (2) Bill Steyer - 36:41 (3) Sonny Linder - 37:32 (4) Ed Hopkins - 38:11 (5) Sebastian Schnuelle - 38:24 (6) Mike Ellis - 39:09 (7) Mike Mayer - 39:20 (8) Danny Seavy - 39:30 (9) Sam Dietour - 39:44 (10) Andrew Davies - 41:01 (11) Rich Corcoran - 41:31 (12) Braxton Peterson - 41:32 (13) Jacob Dries - 42:09 (14) Rick Holt - 42:48 (15) Jeremy Matrishon -44:05 (16) Andreas Moser - 44:10 (17) Dave Treasure - 44:30 (18) Mike Barnett - 48:04 (19) Dale Curry - 50:59

Women's Division (1) Jodi Bailey - 33:24; (2) Zoya DeNure - 33:46 ; (3) Judy Currier - 34:50 ; (4) Molly Yazwinski - 35:48; (5) Michelle Phillips - 36:16 ; (6) Kelley Griffin - 38:29 ; (7) Casie Stockdale - 38:34; (8) Iris Wood - 41:37 ; (9) Julie Estey - 49:38 (10) Alyssa Quaile - 55:46; (11) Laura Davis - 55:46; (12) Carol Blevins - 57:08 ;

Scratched: Heidi Sutter & Rebecca Savadis

WHEN: October 27th 2007
WHERE: Alpine Lodge Fairbanks, Alaska
TIME: 5 pm till 9pm
TICKETS: $12.95 Adults/ $10.95 Children 12 & under. This includes a catered buffet dinner.
LODGING: If you are coming in from out of town, the Alpine Lodge is offering a special on rooms for $59.00 per night.

Enjoy a wonderful dinner at the Alpine Lodge with Idita-Quest Champion Lance Mackey. There will be door prizes and 3 fundraiser auctions - silent, Chinese & out cry.. Prepare to have fun and bid, bid, bid.

WANT TO DONATE? If you would like to help our fundraiser auction with auction items E-mail Tonya Mackey.

One day Clem was showing off a beautiful traditional native vest, hand beaded with custom buttons that she had made. Lance grinned at Clem with his glacier blue eyes “that’s a cool vest Clem, how does a guy like me get one of those?”. Clem replied quickly and rather sharply “Well my dear Lance, I tell you what, if you win the Iditarod, I will make you one”.

Several months later Lance Mackey did just that, he won the Iditarod, becoming the first musher to EVER win both long distance races, the Quest and the Iditarod in the same year. Clem was good on her word, Lance was like family to her by now. She asked a friend to tan her up an exceptional piece of elk hide and she began crafting Lance his very own Cheynne vest. A gift given for the most accomplished feats, a gift given with true and deep meaning and usually reserved for tribe members. Lance’s race record qualified. It wasn't easy sewing through that tough hide but she did. She even added some details that would be meaningful to Lance. Under each little leather flap was artwork depicting a winning race that Lance had acquired, the Cantwell Classic, the Sheep Mountain 150, the Yukon Quest and of course the Iditarod. When it was done she called Lance up “I have a gift for you next time you are in Cantwell”. Saying it casually so as not to spoil the surprise “I’ll be through that way next week” Lance responded. “What do you have?” he said with some interest. “something just for you, I think you will like it” and she quickly got off the phone.

When Lance walked into the café the following week Clem quietly handed him the vest. Cut from the hide of an elk, all hand sewn and hand beaded. It was beautiful and detailed with such care. Everyone in the café had their eyes on Lance as he slipped the vest over his shoulders. “wow’ Clem, I can’t believe it, I love it” Lance said with immense gratitude. Clem whispered to him “ this is a gift from the heart”.

Lance & wife Tonya at the ESPY awards in Hollywood

Lance stops to chat with Govener Sarah Palin photo courtesy of June Price

2008 Iditarod
Cloudly, rainy weather did not slow down festivities for the annual volunteer picnic and official first day to sign up for the 2008 Iditarod.

Lance along with 71 other mushers took advantage of the first day of sign up at Iditarod headquarters for the 2008 Last Great Race, even with the tremendous increase in entry fees. The cost roughly doubled this year to $3,000. A shock to manys mushers budget. Lance was 11th to sign up and younger brother Jason signed up 53rd for the 2008 Iditarod.

The ESPY Awards is an annual sports awards event created and broadcast by American cable television network ESPN. Begun in 1993, the event confers eponymous awards, fully styled as Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, for individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance during the calendar year preceding a given ceremony.

From their inception until 2004, the awards were chosen variously through voting by fans; sportswriters, broadcasters, sports executives, and sportspersons, collectively experts; or ESPN personalities. Award winners have been selected thereafter exclusively through online fan balloting conducted from amongst candidates selected the ESPY Select Nominating Committee.

Lance hits a line ball past 2nd base

Play Ball
What should have been a night of well known Alaskan athletes and celebrities enjoying an invite to a Glacier Pilots game at Mulchahy Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska, turned into a game of celebrity baseball.

It was Alaskan athelete appreciation night and the Glacier Pilots had a game lined up, only the opposing team had a conflict game and was unable to show. What to do? The organizers scambled to solve the problem. Asking the atheletes if they would consider playing a fun game with the Glacier Pilots. They agreed and the crowd cheered. Lance threw out the first ball and the game roared on. Govenener Sarah Palin, a good sport, played coach, cheering on her team mates as they slammed balls across the field. She even took her turn a bat.

Like a neighborhood evening ball game, friends playing friends. All smiles and playful jabs at opponets. No ones seems to remember the final score or for that matter who won. We do know that everyone had a good time.

More photos click here

In addition to the success of the celebrity visit, several pets found new permanent homes which made everyone happy. Home Depot manager Keith Blaha seen here with Lance Mackey was the man who organized the event. Thanks Keith!

Lance & Will Peterson chat at the KAKM studio in Anchorage, Alaska

Along with Lance, "Zorro" made a special appearance live in the KAKM studio. For those fans that have been worried about "Zorro's" health after he was dropped from this years Iditarod, rest assured "Zorro" is happy & healthy as a horse. He even left a nice deposit (#2) in the studio and marked darn near every tree behind the studio. Zorro is Lance's primary stud and has contributed greatly to the team. Zorro was lively, alert and a bit nervous with all the lights and indoor spaces - but was a great addition to the show.

Lance and his famous lead dog "Zorro"

Special thanks to Will Peterson (interim General Manager of KAKM) for inviting Lance to host the show.

During the live broadcast, Will received a call from the Iditarod Trail Committee who was proud to announce their Emmy award for their 2006 video "Mother Nature's Turn to Dance".

Congratulations!

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The 2007 Bib # 1 with Lance's autograph was auctioned off with a winning bid of $750.00

Lance helps with Wasilla fundraiser
Lance and Martin Buser teamed up with the Mat-Su community to help benefit the proposed $5 million upgrade of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough animal shelter. "As Tough As They Come" aired for the first time before a Mat-Su crowd Friday evening at the Machetanz Theatre. Lance received a standing ovation at the end of the showing.

A second playing will be Saturday at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 each.

Tickets can be purchased at the following locations;
Valley Performing Arts, Cottonwood Public Safety Building, Mat-Su Animal Care Shelter, Mat-Su Borough Building, Palmer, Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, The Machetanz Theatre is located in Wasilla Alaska at 251 W. Swanson Ave. Call (907) 373-8800 for more information. Map

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photo by K.Kastner

Fans of all ages and locations were on sight to meet the first ever same-year Iditarod and Yukon Quest champion. Lance was very gracious and autographed T-shirts, jackets, calendars and even a bundle of more than 25 cards and notes from an elementary school in Washington State.

Lance runs into musher Zack Steer & his family at the Palmer State Forest Service open house

Video by Scott Slone

Photo by Brenda Borden

See more interviews and updates at Dogsled.com

Lance greets Paul Gebhardt (video)
Lance under the arch (video)

Lance photo provided by www.cooldreams.net and available for purchase at www.duesouthphoto.com

Lance gives a thumbs up to the crowd

This 3 time Yukon Quest Champion is hoping to get to Nome in the top ten and if he can the number one spot. he says " I really need a new truck, every race I go to I have truck issues. For once I'd like to worry about something else besides truck repairs."

Lance is wearing "Lucky" bib #13 this year

Follow the race
Current Iditarod race updates

Quest Updates & Official web site

Temperatures reached a brisk twenty below today in downtown Fairbanks with the sun warming spectators who lined up along the trail to see the champ come in. Lance pushed his sled into town, his team looking fresh and strong and a grin only Lance can give, rolled across his frosted face. The crowd roared, proud friends and family cheered him on. "I've got a once in a life time team right now" Lance says with pride "It's totally unbelievable what these dogs can do, I feel honored to be part of this team".

Lance talks about his 2007 Quest

Lance at the start of the Cantwell Classic 200

2007 Kuskokwim 300 Mushers Set to Race
A star-studded field of racers will assemble January 20th, for the 27th run of the Kuskokwim 300 in Bethel. Included in the field of 22 mushers are 10 of last year’s top 15 Iditarod finishers, and numerous champions from the Iditarod, Yukon Quest, and Kuskokwim 300. Lance Mackey will be among them. The are 2 father/son teams, Martin Buser and his son Rohn and Mike Williams Sr and Mike Williams Jr are entered in this years race. There is a $100,000 purse to make it worth their while.






Click here to listen to Lance & the Kusko 300
         (MP3 2.65 mb)

Follow the Kusko 300 race

Lance with "Time To Eat Cafe" owner Clem

older news?...read here....