World Communication center took over the sponsorship of this award in its 14th year.the annual award, presented to the musher with the most improved placement in the race since the last time he or she ran, went to Lynda Plettner, in her ninth Iditarod. Plettner placed 20th, arriving in Nome more than five days earlier than she arrived in 2000 and 46 places higher than her 66th place finish in 2000. On behalf of World Communication Center, John Handeland, Iditarod Vice President, announced at the banquet that Plettner will receive an Iridium satellite phone and 1000 minutes a month of free airtime for one year.