Trying to decide

[mitten]

I'm trying to decide if I'm going for the full Insider membership this year, or not.

I love the the GPS tracker and can't see myself following the race without it anymore. However, I'm not so sure about the video portion of the membership.

I was lucky last year and was able to watch the race start and re-start without much problem. I know there were tons of people that were not as lucky and had lots of technical issues. Will I be so lucky this year?

In the midst of the race, I'm so busy tracking the standings that I rarely find time to even watch the videos. Or, by the time they are posted, it is pretty old news. Then again, once in a while there are things like that beautiful "Slo-mo" clip that I will watch over and over.... and over again.

I'm also always disappointed that there is so little (if any) coverage on the "back of the pack." I think some of the best stories of trials and tribulations are back there.

If we could have live, streaming coverage of the Awards Banquet this year so that we could hear some first hand race stories from the mushers, my decision would be much easier. I don't know why they can't/won't do that.

Please forgive my rambling post. I'm just wondering if anyone else is pondering their membership this year.

[Mary]

I can't image going without either of the options, Mittens.... In my opinion, the GPS is great, but where I live, we don't get any TV coverage of the race. Getting a glimpse of the race each day on video is something I wouldn't want to be without. I watch the video clips on and off all year, too. As far as the live stream, yes, more of that would be great but no matter what they offer, I'll take it because as I said, we don't get any coverage here. With the time zone difference, live doesn't always match my sleeping schedule anyway!!! I'm going to renew both my GPS and my video options. As far as what is covered by the race, Mittens, more back of the pack would be great but I'm guessing these kinds of decisions depend a lot on how many people are buying insider because don't you think it is an expensive project to film? My point is, I'm renewing both.

[seabear]

I'll be renewing the whole shebang, based on the good experience I had last year If I'd had trouble personally, perhaps I'd not be so quick to renew, but I'm basing my decision on my own experience, not others. I've also really enjoyed being able to watch the videos over again in the off-season.

Of course, I'll be supporting the ITC at the same time, and in a year when their funding has fallen so drastically, that's a good thing, too, eh?

[fladogfan]

I too would like to see or at least hear the happenings at the banquets. I know the first year of Insider, that was offered. But the with the problems, terrible sound and mushers being interviewed while the awards and speeches were being presented, there were a lot of complaints. Instead of throwing up our hands, could we find a solution to the problems?

Please listen to the sound on this audio recording from the 2009 Yukon Quest banquet.

http://www.yukonquest.com/site/podcasts ... 09banquet/

Maybe the Quest would share how they got such good quality on their recording. Many an Iditarod fan would be grateful.

fladogfan down here in the sunny south

[libby the lab]

I too would love to hear at least an audio of both finishers banquets. I am using Christmas money to renew the whole package.

Cindy, Libby and Hank

[emwcee]

I am renewing the whole package as well. I would also love to see a video of the entire banquet, or at the very least, hear an audio version.

[Mooselook]

Though I'll be in Nome for the finish--YAHOO!--I'll renew the whole shebang so I can follow the early and middle stages of the race on line. Hopefully, the Tracker program will give me a trail this year. All I had last year were the sleds on a field of white! I guess it wanted me to know what running a team through white-out conditions might be like?

Anyway, despite the fact I'll be at the banquets--YAHOO!--please see what you can do for my friends and fellow race fans who can't be there. We sit here at our computer screens by the hour, the day, the week, "watching" the race unfold, cheering for miles gained, hanging on updates, willing every team down the trail. Being included in the banquets in some way, via audio or video, would complete the race for us and would be very much appreciated.

And, hey, since I'll be there--YAHOO!--if I can help out in some way to make it happen, let me know. Though I'm somewhat technically challenged, I'm a quick study.

[gatekeeper]

I subscribed to the Insider for the 2008 race and I was very pleased with the coverage and commentary. In 2009, I missed Joe Runyan (yes I know he was racing), and new video was sporadic, and I felt less than promised.
I am trying to decide whether to purchase it again this year. I hope that there is more coverage of the middle and back of the pack, as these are often some of the most interesting and exciting stories. In addition to the Start and Finish, I am hoping that the banquets will be covered. Especially the Red Lantern, it is a great event, and I think that all Insiders would truly enjoy a peek at this.
I am hoping that the ITC will seriously consider covering these events, and let us know.
Oh yeah, I hope that you've hired Joe back!
Gatekeeper

[gatekeeper]

And, hey, since I'll be there--YAHOO!--if I can help out in some way to make it happen, let me know. Though I'm somewhat technically challenged, I'm a quick study.

Be careful what you wish for.... GK

[Heidi]

I think it might help if we contact the members of the Board of Directors. If you read the minutes of their past meetings (http://www.iditarod.com/aboutus/boardmeetings.html) you can see they're looking for ways to increase revenues. If they knew how important it is for fans to hear the finishers' banquets LIVE - as they're happening - they might do something about it. I don't think they realize how many fence-sitters would get Insider if the 'banquet carrot' was dangled in front of them.

From the 12/4/09 minutes:
"Larsen noted that at this time the Board needs to makes sure the staff knows that the Board supports them while we are figuring out how to increase revenues and decrease expenses."

Please email and send snail mail to the ITC Board of Directors. If you receive a response, please post here and let us know.

EMAIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS: boardofdirectors@iditarod.com
***At the very least, do this.***

SNAIL MAIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Iditarod Trail Committee Inc., PO Box 870800, Wasilla AK 99687

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Aaron Burmeister
John Handeland (Treasurer)
Lee Larsen (President)
Sam Maxwell (Vice-President)
Mark Moderow
Mike Owens
Jim * (Secretary)
Dan Seavey
Rick Swenson

I also think it would be a good idea to write the following people who are not members of the board but who do have a lot of influence:

Greg Bill, Development Director Email: gbill@iditarod.com

Chas St. George, Director of Public Relations Email: cstgeorge@iditarod.com

Stan Hooley, Executive Director Email: shooley@iditarod.com