Libby Riddles was the first woman to win the Iditarod.
She was born in Madison, Wisconsin to Willard and Mary Riddles, and moved from Minnesota to Alaska just before her 17th birthday.
She saw a sprint race and fell in love with mushing.
Her first race was the Clines Mini Mart Sprint race in 1978, in which she won first place.
After finishing 18th and 20th in the 1980 and 1981 Iditarod races, she decided to breed her own sled dogs in order to advance.
She moved to Shaktoolik, Alaska and worked as a fish seller for a short period while training her dogs, then moved to Teller, Alaska where she met Joe Garnie; they became partners and started breeding and training dogs together.
Libby wrote three books about her adventures and also became a professional speaker.
In 2007, her Iditarod Trail Race victory was inducted as a “Hall of Fame Moment” into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame.
After winning the Iditarod, she decided to live like an Alaska Native for six years.
How do you think todays Iditarod compares to the Iditarod when you won it ?
There have been a lot of improvements, but I enjoyed how we got to really connect with people in the villages when we stayed at their homes.
There are less teams from the Bush, but still a few, those are the ones I usually pull for!
I enjoyed that you could race and have some privacy, not so many people out on the trail following, no trackers, no social media.
I’m excited that lots of young people are still getting into it.
I really enjoy watching the sport evolve, it’s such an innovative sport to start out with.
I think the dogs have gotten better and better, and that Iditarod has done a good job of changing with the times.
It’s no secret that you were the first female musher to win the Iditarod in 1985. Did you compete to win it, or just take part ?
Competed to do my personal best, definitely not to just take part!
Can you talk us through your emotions, what you were feeling, what you were thinking when you became the very first woman to win the Iditarod ?
It barely occurred to me that I would be the first woman to win until two local gals in White Mt joked with me that I was going to beat all the men!
And when the interviews started after the race.
In some ways, I was surprised at the commotion, but also pretty proud of my dogs more than for being a woman champ!
But over the years it’s been apparent that the win was very inspiring for other women, and I’m glad, and even happier still that it’s inspired the dreams of many a child as well.
I love the fact that top competitors in the sport are both men and women, young and old, all different kinds of people can be very good at it.
After winning the Last Great Race, how did life change for you ?
I had more opportunities, and I had to push my envelope a lot, learning to do on-screen events for sponsors and for appearances did not come naturally to me.
Traveling to places was amazing, for races and events, meeting people and seeing great country.
I like a quiet life though, so I didn’t let winning change things too much for me.
You have accomplished many great things in your career as a musher. Which one stands out for you the most ?
Winning the Irod is the tops, for sure, but I was dang proud of my team when they were third to last in the Rondy, too, I’m very fortunate to have so many great memories from mushing, sometimes just of the beauty of being there.
I think my best accomplishment is having a life I love.
What has been the most gruelling race for you ?
They’re all tough when you’re giving it your all.
Maybe the WY stage race though, when my handler Les and I drove down with -70 at Tok, froze the transmission and was stuck in Whitehorse for two weeks when I should have been acclimating to altitude, made it just before the vet check to Jackson Hole, was puking off the sled with altitude sickness, came in last place, but was dang proud to have finished, given the fiasco!
Being a friend and fellow musher of DeeDee Jonrowe, how did her Breast Cancer diagnosis affect you ?
We’re all like a big extended family, so we have concern for each other, I’m glad she made it through ok and was able to race again.
Do you prefer the Northern route or the Southern Route for the Iditarod ?
Like both, did more of the southern route.
It is said that a dog is mans best friend. As far as I am concerned a woman’s too ! Can you ever imagine your life now without a dog in it ?
Not really! A cat too!
Why did you decide to get into dog mushing ?
I liked animals and didn’t want a real job.
I used dogs at first to help out with living off the grid, and it evolved into racing.
When did you first think “I want to compete in the Iditarod” ?
After helping friends prepare for the race, being in the sport for a few years, and then winning a small race.
When did you put your first sled dog team together ?
Mid 70’s
Who, if anyone, has inspired you to push yourself in your career ?
The greats of the time when I first started, Gerry Riley, the Yukon River Fox, Rick Swenson, Joe Redington, the stories of the Polar explorers.
Patty Friend, Rod and Allen Perry were some of my first mentors.
If you are out with your team and no-one else around for miles and one of your dogs are injured, how do you deal with that ?
You have a plan of having emergency equipment, and some knowledge, just like anyone that goes or lives in the bush should have some first aid knowledge.
You learn to stay calm (most of the time!) in an emergency.
Dogs are very intelligent. Do you believe that you can read a dog, know what they are telling you through they way they act or their body language ?
Especially with dogs I’ve raised for generations.
Have you overcome any fears whilst out on the sled ?
I think the fear can be intense, as if anything goes wrong, you are the one responsible, so you better have your act together, and then just hang on, right?
It helps knowing the other mushers have to face the same obstacles.
What is fastest speed you have ever attained with your team ?
Not sure!
Even with the Rondy training I did, you’re not going top speed, because of the distance.
Maybe going full tilt down some of those mountains when I raced in the Alpirod.
Have you ever encountered a really good experience with your dogs (besides winning the iditarod), a real magical moment shared between you ?
I try to do that as often as possible when I go out. We all really enjoy it.
What are some of the awards you have won over the years ?
Sports Woman of the Year
Womens Sports Foundation Humanitarian Award
Iditarod
Kusko
Beargrease Victor Award Excellence in Sports
Alaska Sports Hall of Fame inductee
Iditarod Hall of Fame Inductee
What is it about being out on your sled that you like most ? How does it make you feel ?
It makes me feel very privileged, after doing it for so long it feels as natural as breathing, I love being part of the team with the dogs, and being out in the sticks.
When you were a child, did you dream of owning huskies ?
No, didn’t even know about them, I wanted a ranch
Where did your first and last dog come from ?
Some of my first best dogs came from Gerry Riley, last dogs I got from Sebastian Schnuelle
Here in the UK we have to compete on dry land, due to the lack of snow. How different do you think it would be for us to use a sled on snow for the very first time ?
It takes some getting used to, and the hooking down too, but wouldn’t take long.
How do you prepare for such long and challenging races ?
By long challenging training!
Thinking through all the angles of preparation, knowing you have to give it 100% or more, because that’s what your competitors are doing.
What is your method of training ?
The short answer is positive reinforcement, looking at each dogs as an individual but also how they form together as a team, tailor the training for the race, keep learning every time you go for a run.
What’s the most rewarding thing about mushing ?
Everything except the income!
What other races have you competed in ? Do you have a favourite ? Least favourite ?
Like them all, Iditarod is special though!
I’ve done the Rondy, the Kusko, the Beargrease, the Wyoming Stage Race, Alpirod, Transitalia, Cantwell 180, some sprint racing in Nome and other areas.
What was it that made you move to Alaska ?
Wanted the wilderness
Which part of Alaska do you live in ?
Homer, on the Kenai Penninsula
Alaska is a breathtakingly beautiful place, how do you choose where to settle as there are so many stunning places ?
You find a good place that also has trail access and trails!
As well as being a musher, you are also an author. What inspired you to write your first book ?
I’ve always been a strong reader and writer, and with all the interest after I won, it was the next step.
You’ve also done commentary during the race, how did this come about ?
At first it was part of a deal with Dodge to trade for a truck before they had them for the winners.
I also did Rondy coverage.
It’s a lot of work to do right, and I enjoy doing a good job of it for the mushers and fans.
Have you ever built your own sled ?
No, I can fix them some, but haven’t built one.
I’ve got a smooth ride from Hans Gatt, don’t think I could build one as nice as that!
What is the atmosphere like in Anchorage on the 1st Saturday in March ?
Epic, doggy, so many enthusiastic people from all over!
The mushers are more relaxed than at the restart the next day, so it is festive and relaxed as well.
How many sled dogs do you currently own ?
16
What are your dreams or goals for the future ?
Keep enjoying my retired dogs and life in AK
Do you have a favourite to win next years Iditarod ?
The Qrills look good of course, Dallas will be up there with last years gang.
But you never know!
As a woman, and one that has inspired other women, is there any advice you would give to those female mushers who dream of taking part in sled dog races, but think they can’t do it ?
I think you have to decide if you are a racing person or a recreational musher, either way is fine, and of course many are doing tours instead.
If you’re not feeling ready to race, you probably need to learn and prepare more, and then get after it.
Just like anything else, you have to go through the steps to get to where you want to go.
Go volunteer at a race if you’re not ready to race yet.
If you start racing, don’t stress about how you finish, it’s a good place to learn.
How do you physically, emotionally and mentally get through a 1000 mile race ?
You prepare yourself as best as you can in each department, know yourself and what works for you.
Keep your goal in sight.
Then keep your fingers crossed and hope you figure it out!
Is there anything you regret ?
No, I’ve had an amazing time, and regret is pointless anyway!
I can only dream of sitting under the stars, Northern lights dancing across the night sky, snow slowly falling whilst being at one with my dogs. This must be a truly magical experience. Can you explain a time you have experienced this ?
I feel like I’ve had hundreds of miles like that, and feel lucky, very lucky!
I am glad there are still a few places with some wilderness.
Can you name some of your dogs, past and present that hold a special place in your heart ?
We would be here all day if I did that. I feel privileged to have known so many great dogs.
Bean, Meadow and Rosie are my housedogs these days, they are grandpups of my winning Iditarod leader Dugan.
It’s especially cool to have dogs that you have known the relatives of, and can see the similarities in.
What do you think of the Northernwolf website ?
Really great!
A lot of info and you are keeping it current, must take a lot of work!
Thanks for what you do!
I tell people all the time how international our sport is, and I enjoyed my trip to Scotland to see some of the competition!
Big thank you to Libby Riddles for taking the time out to take part in this interview and for supplying the photos.
You can find out more information about Libby on her official website at libbyriddles.com
One Response
This is one of the nicest, most thoughtful & relaxed interviews I’ve seen of Libster Nice job & great to see you keeping interest up in the legacy and sport♥️