Eleven mushers "scratched" (withdrew from the race): Gary Paulsen was in 62nd place when he scratched on March 6 at 5:30 a.m. in Skwentna for "personal reasons" Lori Townsend was in 44th place when she scratched on March 6 at 9:40 p.m. in Rainy Pass due to a possible rib injury. Sandy McKee was in 78th place when she scratched on March 7 at 8:00 p.m. in Rainy Pass. Rookie Sue Morgan from Richmond, Utah was in 78th place when she scratched on March 8 at 8:00 a.m. in Rainy Pass due to a possible cracked rib. Terry Adkins of Sand Coulee, Montana was in 67th place when he scratched on March 10 at 10:15 a.m. in Takotna. Rich Larson of Sand Coulee, Montana was in 69th place when he scratched on March 10 at 11:15 a.m. in McGrath due to the "lack of leaders in his team" Richard Hum of Talkeetna, Alaska scratched on March 10 at 11:20 a.m. in McGrath "because his team was young". Jim Warren of Linwood, Michigan scratched on March 10 at 12:07 p.m. in Takotna "based on well being of his remaining young team". Matt Hayashida of Willow, Alaska scratched on March 11 at 7:45 a.m. in Cripple "based on the well being of his dog team". Veteran Iditarod competitor John Barron of Helmsville, Montana scratched on March 11 at 3:00 p.m. in Galena "because his team was sick". Dave Tresino scratched on March 11 at 4:30 p.m. in Cripple due to a "lack of leaders". One musher was withdrawn from the race. Withdrawing a musher is at the sole discretion of Race Marshall Mark Nordman: Ben Valks of the Netherlands was withdrawn from the race after arriving in Shaktoolik on March 18 at 4:00 p.m. as the red lantern in last place. According to Norman's report, "Valks had taken good care of his team and himself throughout the race, but that in his judgment Valks' team was no longer considered competitive". Canine fatalities Each of the 83 teams was composed of 16 dogs at the start of the competitive race in Willow. Mushers are allowed to drop dogs at any checkpoint, usually because of concern over their performance, but also or for their health. Veterinarians examine the dogs at each checkpoint, and also have the discretion to withdraw dogs. Dropped dogs are flown to Anchorage or Nome, where they are provided with medical