Libby Riddles
Musher, Author, Speaker
Who is Libby Riddles?
Riddles is mainly known for being the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. She had competed in the Iditarod twice before she won, finishing 18th in 1980 and 20th in 1981. When she won, she was a 28-year-old musher who trained the dogs she bred. She is still a musher, trainer and breeder today, but she has added author and speaker onto her list of occupations.
Libby Did It!
Since 1983, men and women had entered the Iditarod hoping for a win, and every year, a man was the first to cross the finish line. But, on March 20th, 1985, Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Riddles win was most definitely not luck. Her win was the result of a daring and dangerous act. During the race, a great blizzard struck, causing all of the racers, except for Riddles, to find shelter. When the other racers took cover and hid, Libby stood proud and brave, fighting her way through the unruly storm, landing her in first place at the finish line.
The Iditarod
The Iditarod is a race that takes place in Alaska. The trail covers a large amount of the state, stretching to nearly 1,131 miles long. The race requires a team of dogs and a musher, also known as a dog driver. When competitors enter the race they not only expect to be competing against other racers, but also against the harsh conditions of the alaskan wilderness. With a temperature range of fifty above zero to sixty below zero with blinding snow and wind blowing at one-hundred miles an hour, the course is tough even for the most experienced musher.
Riddles' Other Accomplishments
After Riddles won the Iditarod, she was awarded with the Humanitarian Award. The Humanitarian Award is given to the Iditarod musher who takes the best care of his or her dogs. Riddles was given the award because she treated her dogs with equal parts discipline and tender loving care. Riddles also went on to become a successful author. She was inspired to write after receiving letters from children in the mail about her win. Soon the experiences she had written about became published. She has written three books in all. Riddles also trains and breeds dogs to become future sled dog champions and her breeding company is called Blazing Kennels.
Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story
In this book Riddles describes all of the challenges and successes she faced while competing in the Iditarod.
Danger: The Dog Yard Cat
In this book Riddles introduces Danger, her cat, and tells his unique story.
Storm Run: The Story of the First Woman to Win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
In this book Riddles describes her adventure during the Iditarod and her childhood dream that changed her life.
Conclusion
Libby's victories before, during, and after the race have become a major inspiration to people of all ages. The reason so many people are able to relate and be inspired by Riddles is because of her variety of good qualities and feats. A person could look up to her for her kindness towards her animals, her bravery ad strength during the Iditarod, or how she didn't quit overcoming obstacles in her life after winning the Iditarod. They could simply look up to her for her possession of all of these great qualities. But, no matter the reason, Riddles has become a beacon of inspiration for people around the world by accomplishing so much in her life. By researching Riddles, I have learned to keep going even when things get difficult, no matter what situation you're in.