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.

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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