As a special treat for Homer Documentary Film Festival goers, Tuesday Libby Riddles the first woman to win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, spoke about mushing and her friendship with fellow Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey. KBBI’s Quinton Chandler has more.
The Homer Theatre was filled nearly to capacity as the audience waited to first hear a speech from Libby Riddles and then watch “The Great Alone,” the story of Lance Mackey’s competition in what is called the “The Last Great Race on Earth.”
The theater erupted in applause when Riddles took the stage.
“It’s been a long interesting career. Winning the Iditarod was just the start of it in a lot of ways. It’s an amazing feeling. Everything tough in my life I’ve always been able to equate to the Iditarod. It’s always like, ‘if this was the Iditarod I’d figure this out.’”
Riddles praised Lance Mackey his brother Rick and father Dick for their accomplishments and racing smarts. And she paid a special complement to Lance’s drive to compete even while battling throat cancer.
As for the film, “The Great Alone,” Riddles gave it a positive review.
“I think they really have done a good job with this film in showing Lance’s personality. His character really shines through. He’s a very pleasant person in a lot of ways as accomplished as he is and that’s part of why a lot us like and support Lance. Of all the dog mushing movies that have been made this is really one of the better ones. They stayed very authentic I think.”
Riddles says she hopes everyone who heard her presentation and everyone who watches “The Great Alone” takes away an appreciation for how complicated a sport dog mushing is and how difficult the Iditarod Sled Dog Race can be.
Correction: Originally this story identified Dick Mackey as Lance Mackey's brother. Dick Mackey is Lance Mackey's father.
