FIRST LOOK: It’s a race to get the new Iditarod Burled Arch to Nome
Scratching is not an option for the iconic symbol of race’s finish
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - One of the iconic symbols of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race is the Burled Arch in Nome. Every musher’s goal is to pass under that arch, signaling they are an Iditarod finisher.
But last spring, the arch collapsed — a victim of dry rot.
Ramey Smyth, an Iditarod veteran, was tasked with replacing the fallen arch. For the past month, it has been an around-the-clock race to finish the arch and get it to Nome in time for the finish.
The finishing touches are taking place at a small shop in Willow. But when the log being worked on is a 2,800-pound chunk or Sitka Spruce, that’s still a lot of work.
The arch is scheduled to head to Nome on Monday, the same day the Iditarod officially starts in Fairbanks.
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