MARTIN BUSER

Four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser is back for his 20th Iditarod. Since placing 25th in 1986, and 24th in 2001, Buser had a strong record of never finishing lower than 10th in the great race. Last year Buser was back on top of his game. In addition to his wins, he been the runner-up twice, in 1991 and 1999. Buser set winning times in 1994 and 1997 and again in 2002 with a time of 8 days 22 hours 46 minutes and 2 seconds. Born in Zurich, Switzerland, Buser raced dogs in his native country and came to Alaska in 1979 to expand is knowledge of training and techniques. His mentor was longtime Alaskan musher Earl Norris. The Iditarod is so ingrained into the life of Buser that he named his two children Rohn and Nikolai for race checkpoints. Martin and his wife Kathy own and manage Happy Trails Kennel. He often names his dogs after politicians - such as Bill, Al Gore, Hillary, and Ross Perot - or occasions. Rudolph, Prancer, and Dasher were born in December. Other great Buser dogs include Blondie, Decatur, Snake, Fisher, Ingot, Primus and Omega. During the "off season," Buser has worked as a carpenter, youth counselor and commercial fisherman. Buser takes a "hands on" approach to everything he does. He likes to make his own gear for racing and training including harnesses and sled bags. He even built the home his family lives in. Buser enjoys speaking to youth on the humane care of animals and his care shows. He is the only three-time winner of the Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award. Martin is a member of P.R.I.D.E., ISDRA and Rotary.

Look up Martin's web site for more information about him and his dog team. Email: buserdog@mtaonline.net

Regular Mail:     Happy Trails Kennel P.O. Box 520997 Big Lake, Alaska 99652   Web site: www.buserdog.com