Iditarod musher reports groping, marking 3rd issue in race

ANCHORAGE — Alaska authorities are investigating a third unwelcome encounter during this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race after a female musher said two men groped her as her team passed by.

Alaska State Trooper James Lester says he’s investigating the March 13 incident as harassment for now. The 27-year-old musher reported the groping at the checkpoint in the village of Nulato, almost 350 miles from the Nome finish line.

It happened a day after authorities say a man on a snowmobile intentionally drove into two top Iditarod teams, killing one dog and injuring others.

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Lester says he’s been playing phone tag with the rookie musher and hasn’t interviewed her yet. The woman couldn’t immediately be reached for comment by The Associated Press on Monday.

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