An Associated Press reporter who came upon Backen tending to the dog reported the musher was in tears and asked for someone to get Iditarod Race Marshal Mark Nordman. Backen was still in tears four hours later.
"I don’t want to talk," he said. "It’s very sad for me, like losing a family member."
Nordman, in a press release issued at 1:10 pm. Sunday, said he didn’t know what to think of the second dog death in this year’s Iditarod.
"This comes as an incredible surprise to me personally as I myself witnessed Kjetil and his team some 3 to 4 miles outside of Unalakleet, moving nicely," Nordman said. "Based upon my review of the situation at this time, I have found no signs that should prohibit Kjetil and his team from continuing his race."
Takk was a 7-year-old male who led Norwegian Robert Sorlie to victory in the Iditarod last year along with teammate Blue. Backen had to drop Blue at Cripple this year because of inflammation in the dog’s left wrist. Blue is now recuperating with friends of the Norwegians in Chugiak.
Backen is trying to continue the race without the trusted lead dogs that powered Sorlie to victory last year, as well as huge emotional baggage. He confessed that he tried to nap in Unalakleet but was too shaken to rest.
"It’s not too easy to sleep," he said.
He eventually got his dog team up and started up the trail toward Shaktoolik, still crying.
Other mushers warned a musher in Backen’s fragile emotional state could infect the entire team, blunting any desire they have left to race in the wake of the death of a key leader.
