[Alberta's Child]

His back-to-back victories in the world's longest and gnarliest sled-dog races set a new standard for toughness in Alaska but barely registered a blip Outside.

I understand this is a remarkable accomplishment, but he's got a long ways to go. Rick Swenson is a five-time winner of the Iditarod, and there are a number of four-time winners, too.

And Doug Swingley's 2002 victory was legendary -- as he ran his team through weather conditions that bogged down all of the other teams and crossed the finish line something like 7 or 8 hours ahead of his nearest competitor.

[skeptoid]

All good points.
But the Lance's win has so many 'what are the odds' factors,....and is SUCH a 'Cinderella Story', I'm really surprised it hasn't had any significant national coverage.

Swenson and Swingley and Butcher and Riddles et al. are great stories, but this is NEWS that's not get the attention it deserves IMHO.
I keep remembering that this is his first win, but he beat 80-some other teams, and he raises his own dogs.

[Chena]

I understand this is a remarkable accomplishment, but he's got a long ways to go. Rick Swenson is a five-time winner of the Iditarod, and there are a number of four-time winners, too.

And Doug Swingley's 2002 victory was legendary -- as he ran his team through weather conditions that bogged down all of the other teams and crossed the finish line something like 7 or 8 hours ahead of his nearest competitor.

Yes, other mushers have won the Iditarod repeatedly. However, that isn't what makes Mackey's win so spectacular. This year he won the Yukon Quest AND the Iditarod, with the same team! Years ago the bank that used to sponsor the Iditarod offered a bonus/reward of $100,000 to any musher who could win both the Yukon Quest AND the Iditarod in the same year. That's how unlikely this was to happen. I am just overjoyed for Mackey's remarkable accomplishment!