Alaska Air Group Inc (ALK)

was doing good. WHAT THE HECK!!!

Its a great stock

NEVER BUY

by Carlos Portocarrero, WeSeed Writer Known as the last great race on earth, the Iditarod like you've never experienced - it's an annual dog-sled race held in Alaska that covers more than 1150 miles of treacherous temperature and rugged, beautiful terrain. The race is inspired by the trail that relief workers took in 1925 to deliver a serum to epidemic-stricken Nome, on Alaska's west coast. Each team has 12 to 16 dogs and a "musher," who rides the sled the dogs are pulling. This year Anchorage is expecting around 3200 people and an economic influx of close to $3 million. Reporters come from all over the world to cover the race and hoopla surrounding it, giving Alaska's tourism a slight boost. Sponsors like GCI (GNCMA), Cabela's (CAB), and Alaska Air (ALK) seek to boost their images by linking themselves to the famous event. The race itself is grueling and can take anywhere from 10 to 17 days, which might make you wonder about the health of the dogs. Well, there's no need to worry. A quick read of sled-dog Zuma's blog tells you that veterinarians check every dog and must clear them before they are allowed to race. We're talking thorough examinations too: EKG, blood work, and hydration and breathing checks. The dogs are all in great hands but injuries and soreness regularly kick some of the dogs off the race for safety precautions. But once they're out there, what makes one team better than another? Well, it all boils down to strategy: some think it's better to race at night, others have special ways of feeding the dogs that they think give them an edge. Mushers also have specific ways of handling the dogs' to maximize their stamina and particular abilities. The race does have its detractors: namely organizations like PETA that believe it's tantamount to dog abuse. They also claim that the training regimens for these dogs are inhumane and involve things like pulling dogs with all-terrain vehicles to run them faster. Regardless of the race's criticisms, Alaska is basking in the spotlight of the 36th annual iteration of one of the most intense, taxing races known to man (and dog).