Melissa, 19, was born in Nome and has spent her whole life there. She says she began mushing as soon as she could stand on the runners. She completed four Jr. Iditarod races and was the 2005 champion. She came in 30th as a rookie last year, and was the first woman from Nome to finish the race. She was unable to finish this year and scratched in Elim.

Melissa, 19, was born in Nome and has spent her whole life there. She says she began mushing as soon as she could stand on the runners. She completed four Jr. Iditarod races and was the 2005 champion. She came in 30th as a rookie last year, and was the first woman from Nome to finish the race. She was unable to finish this year and scratched in Elim.