Archive Video: Libby Riddles wins ‘85 Iditarod
08. Mar, 2010 
4 Comments
We’re still in the early stages of this years Iditarod, and I thought it might be an approprate time to look back at one of the race’s most historic moments – a moment that is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary this year.
It was 1985, Susan Butcher and Rick Swenson had developed a friendly rivalry and after Butcher placed second several years in a row, the eyes of the world were on her going into Iditarod 1985. Butcher had to scratch early on in the race however due to a dramatic incident where a moose attacked her team in the middle of the night. The race continued on and Swenson saw an opportunity to capture a fifth victory with his rival out of the picture. It was a daring move to mush into a blizzard out of Shaktoolik that separated the champion that year from the rest of the pack and it wasn’t Susan Butcher who would become the first female champion of the Iditarod, it was Libby Riddles.
I found a VHS tape at my parents house over the weekend of a CBS News special on Iditarod 1985 hosted by Terry Bradshaw. I’ve posted the last portion of that special here for you to enjoy. This was a moment that helped make the Iditarod what it has become today, and played a big part in thrusting the race onto the world’s stage.
hit “read more” to watch the video
wow, this video is amazing! i can’t believe you unearthed it. i just read libby riddles’s book about the 1985 race so it’s very cool to see footage of it. i wish i could see the whole show!
bradshaw as commentator…what a hoot
I haven’t seen that clip in years! Way to go big sis!
New to the sport – it’s great to learn some Iditarod history to share with my 9 year old! Thanks for the post!