Why It Pays (Literally) To Be The First Musher To Ruby

If you ever compete in the Iditarod (surely it's on your to-do list), aim to be the first musher to reach the checkpoint of Ruby. Not only would it mean you were a race-favorite, but you'd also get to enjoy some fine-dining on the Yukon River.

Per race tradition, the first musher to Ruby gets a multi-course dinner to share with anyone he or she chooses. Early Friday morning, race leader Jeff King sat down to his feast:

• Alaska king crab appetizer
• Bison stew
• Grilled halibut
• Lemon sorbet
• Tenderloin tournedos
• Fruit and cheese
• Blackberry jubilee

King chose a long-time handler and friend as his dining partner. Sitting down, King rubbed his hands together and said, "Alright man, glad to be here. What's for dinner?"

Then he donned a large, yellow napkin, tucking it into his collar, and allowed himself to be served a glass of wine. He said that he was looking forward to getting some rest and that the wine would probably help. Then the diners toasted: "To Iditarod 2010, the best one ever."

Not a bad way to help forget that it was 38 degrees below zero outside.

In addition to the meal, the first one to Ruby collects a $3,500 cash prize, awarded in stacks of singles (again, race tradition).

via www.alaskadispatch.com