DeeDee Jonrowe Scratches from the Race

Iditarod 2007 is turning out to be more treacherous than expected, forcing four mushers so far to scratch from the race, two of whom many considered serious contenders to win. Yesterday early afternoon 4 time Iditarod champion Doug Swingly was forced to scratch due to possible broken ribs and a dislocated thumb he incurred on the trail between finger lake and rainy pass checkpoints.

Now we are learning that same section caused an injury to fan favorite, DeeDee Jonrowe forcing her to withdraw from this year’s Iditarod, yesterday March 5th. DeeDee broke the pinky bone in left hand after taking a fall just a few miles before she reached the Rainy Pass checkpoint. Jonrowe, who has never won an Iditarod but come very close many times taking home the second place trophy three times, and placing in the top ten 12 times. Some could say that DeeDee’s most important win didn’t come from the back of a dog team it was her triumph over a battle with breast cancer. In July 2002, Jonrowe was diagnosed with the disease. Three weeks after completing chemotherapy, she competed in the Iditarod, placing 18th. The story was widely publicized, and in 2003 she won the Most Inspirational Musher Award, and was named the honorary chair of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.