Object Details
- used
- Riddles, Libby
- North Star Dog Sled Company
- Description (Brief)
- Wooden dog sled made by the North Star Sled Company and used by Libby Riddles when she became the first woman musher to win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in 1985. Libby Riddles was born in the “lower 48” but moved to Alaska when she was 16. Her love of the outdoors, and dogs, led her to raise and train sled dogs, and eventually fueled her passion for sled dog racing. Her first Iditarod run was in 1980, but the male dominated sport left her an outsider, without sponsors. Dog sled racing competitors rely heavily on their sponsor’s money to fund their training and to maintain their sled dog team, and with none to provide that stability, Riddles was left to her own devices. In 1985, she entered the Iditarod once more and though she had a rough start, 15 days into the race, she was able to pick up a lead as she rode through a blizzard in -50 degree temperatures. Riddles was the first to cross the finish line after 18 days, 20 minutes and 17 seconds. Her win produced a new generation of female mushers and as of 2015, one third of the race competitors were women.
- In 1978, The North Star Sled Company was founded by David “Kim” Sorenson and his wife, Virginia “Ginny” Sorenson after buying out L&M Sleds. Their only buy-out requirement was to keep producing the “Attla Sled” model, named for famed musher George Attla. Sorenson was a self-taught craftsman and working with Attla, improved the durability and functionality of the sled. Sorenson’s innovative designs produced multiple sled models which were sought after by sprint and long-distance mushers. In 1983, Sorenson moved to making laminated wood sleds for their lightweight and durability replacing the steam vent technique used on Riddles’ sled. In three short years, Sorenson had built over 300 sleds before moving his family to the lower 48 to be closer to family members.
- Riddles’ sled was borrowed from a veterinarian/dentist from Nome after contacting Sorenson too late in 1985 for him to produce a sled exclusively for her. This sled was built around 1982-1983 and was built by Sorenson using white ash and the steam vent technique. According to Sorenson, “White ash was cut into 8-foot skis, bed slats, a brush bow, and handlebar. The pieces were steamed and bent into corresponding molds involving bending frames and C-clamps.” After a week in these molds, they would then be put into holding frames for 30 days to finish during and maintain their shape. After curing the wood pieces were fastened with fencing nails, bolts and braided nylon rope for lash. “Upright stanchion pieces were lashed to the skis and then bench pieces were lashed across the stanchions. Cut-outs on the outer bed slats, where the stanchions met, were designed to allow for a floating bed which provided flex in the sled over varied terrains. Ultra-high molecular weight plastic runners were attached to the bottom of the skis and a rubber doormat was cut for the footrests.” An aluminum brake was added, electrical tape wound around the handlebar for grip and then the sled was oiled to seal the wood. On Riddle’s sled the logo was carved free hand with a Dremel tool while some pieces have been repaired and replaced from the originals which include the brake, black wood pieces and bungee cord.
- Description
- Wooden dog sled made by the North Star Sled Company and used by Libby Riddles when she became the first woman musher to win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in 1985. Libby Riddles was born in the “lower 48” but moved to Alaska when she was 16. Her love of the outdoors and dogs led her to raise and train sled dogs and eventually fueled her passion for sled dog racing. Her first Iditarod run was in 1980 but the male dominated sport left her an outsider, without sponsors. Dog sled racing competitors rely heavily on their sponsor’s money to fund their training and to maintain their sled dog team and with none to provide that stability Riddles was left to her own devices. In 1985 she entered the Iditarod once more and though she had a rough start, 15 days into the race, she was able to pick up a lead as she rode through a blizzard in -50 degree temperatures. Riddles was the first to cross the finish line after 18 days, 20 minutes and 17 seconds. Her win produced a new generation of female mushers and as of 2015, one third of the race competitors were women.
- The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is an extreme sports challenge that tests the skill and endurance of competitors while celebrating Alaska’s sled dog culture and history. Teams of 12 to 16 dogs, primarily Alaskan Huskies, and their musher experience harsh terrain and weather conditions during the 1,150 mile run from Anchorage to Nome. In its modern iteration as an extreme sport, the Iditarod takes an intense physical toll not only on the human competitors but also on the sled dogs. The race follows a large network of Native trade and travel routes which travelers used when gold was discovered in the isolated town of Iditarod. This discovery led to a “rush” of miners and settlers from across the country, transforming the trail into the region’s main mail and supply route. The area’s harsh winter conditions made sled dog teams the main source of transportation along the Iditarod Trail and it is this rich history which the Iditarod race celebrates today. In 1978 Congress designated the 2300 mile Iditarod Trail as a National Historic Trail recognizing its importance in the shaping of America. Through its beginnings as a regional story, the Iditarod provides us the opportunity to explore the American Experience through the origins of the Iditarod National Historic Trail and the transformation of the Alaskan sled dog culture into an international sport. The Iditarod is now the largest and most prominent sled dog race in the world, attracting international competitors and world-wide media attention.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ca 1985
- ID Number
- 2008.0143.01
- accession number
- 2008.0143
- catalog number
- 2008.0143.01
- Object Name
- dog sled
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 105 in x 22 in x 39 in; 266.7 cm x 55.88 cm x 99.06 cm
- See more items in
- Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
- Sports & Leisure
- Sled Dog Racing
- National Museum of American History
- related event
- Iditarod Sled Dog Race
- Record ID
- nmah_1343828
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-ab17-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
