Twin sisters compete in the 2012 Iditarod

Tall and blonde, 28-year old Kristy and Anna Berington are the first twins to compete in the 40-year history of the Iditarod. In a sport where three of four competitors are men the two women attract attention wherever they compete.

Anna is a rookie this year, but Kristy has already made her mark as a serious competitor by finishing 39th in the 2010 Iditarod and 29th in 2011 and finishing ninth in this year’s Yukon Quest. She also won the Veterinarian’s Choice Award for best dog care.

Kristy and Anna grew up in northern Wisconsin where they built dog sleds from skis and a milk crate. They hitched up the dogs, a Border Collie and a Great Pyrenees, and pretended to be mushers. Thanks to Alaskan traditions, the dream is now a reality.

"Mushing is as close to a magic carpet ride as you can get," Kristy said. "You get to go places only dog teams can reach. You get to run over mountains and frozen rivers. It's quiet and peaceful, but the endorphins are firing when you're screaming down a mountain."

 More from the Anchorage Daily News

Kristy and Anna join fourteen other women competitors this year, all hoping to channel the late Susan Butcher who won the race in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990, inspiring the (unofficial) state mottos, "Alaska, the land of beautiful dogs and fast women" and “Alaska, where women win the Iditarod and men mush Poodles.”

Comments

[geogia little pea]

I'm sure the twins would be striking in any event, much less one so male dominated. They might even get more support than the poodles ;)

Just reading your last post - The slowest Red Lantern man took 32 days? I wonder how he planned for food. He must have been totally exhausted and ecstatic when he finished!

[tongti longkumer]

Kudos to the Twins.

[Sherry in MT]

Go GIRL POWER! (Okay I'm a little miffed at the slogan but I'll get over it)

[Kristine]

Good for them! I was really into following the Iditarod when I was a kid, probably because of Susan Butcher. But I never was so interested that I created my own dog sled. And I even had my own husky! I hope they both do really well.

[Daisy]

Way to go! Congrats to two more women who are proving that they're way more than just pretty faces! :)

[Kasha]

These girls are awesome! So fantastic that they are living their childhood dreams. Thanks for sharing Jan!

[jackie]

I like it when women show the world women can do 'men jobs' that we don't need a dick to do it.

[Mary Ann]

I love the slogans. They both would make a great t-shirt.

[Renee Sharma]

The two girls are beautiful
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