Meanwhile, in Westminster Hall there are a series of debates led by backbench MPs - topping the bill one on Yorkshire and the Tour de France, as the Conservative MP Julian Smith leads a show of political support for the decision to stage the Tour's Grand Depart in Yorkshire in 2014 (it often stages part of the race outside France).

BBC: Week ahead

Race officials personally introduce each team as they depart "the chute, " announcers struggling to be heard over a cacophony of howling dog teams.

CNN: Iditarod: A spectator's guide