Rocky Reifenstuhl Conquers 2006 Iditarod

Brutal winter pushes scratch rate over 50%

MCGRATH, ALASKA

Conquering a 350-mile long course through Alaska, with temperatures as low as -40° Fahrenheit, Rocky Reifenstuhl and Peter Bassinger shared a tie for first place in the the 2006 Iditarod Trail Invitational. Reifenstuhl and Bassinger crossed the finish line on March 2 after 4 days, 17 hours, while Reifenstuhl's racing partner Jeff Oatley placed second, after 5 days, 3 hours.

Brutal weather made this year's race the most challenging ever. Snow and ice storms with 70mph winds made the route from Knick Lake to McGrath particularly treacherous. In these conditions, the race to compete becomes a race to survive, and equipment can make the difference between life and death. Reifenstuhl again chose to ride Bianchi. Bianchi is proud to salute Riefenstuhl, Bassinger and all who competed.