This highly coveted award is presented to the musher who has best demonstrated outstanding care of his or her team troughout the race, while remaining competitive. Upon arrival in Nome, the top 20 teams are judged based on a pre-determined criterion. This year the winner of the award was Lynda Plettner, Houston, Alaska.
Plettner received a crystal trophy on a lightedbase, transportation for herself and her dogs back to Anchorage and two round-trip tickets to anywhere on the Alaska Airlines system. A replica of the Alaska Airlines trophy is on permanent display at the Iditarod headquarters in Wasilla.