ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
Defending Iditarod champion John Baker had some words of wisdom when he spoke Wednesday morning at the First Alaskans Institute's Elders and Youth Conference in Anchorage. "'Dream, Try, Win' is my Motto," Baker said during his keynote speech.
Baker is the first Alaska Native to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 35 years -- but it took him 16 years to do it.
"During those years I learned that it is all about persistence," Baker said.
The champion received multiple standing ovations when he spoke about the importance of having a dream and chasing it relentlessly. He will defend his title in 2012, and hopes to smash his previous record.
"We can do anything that we want; that is the legacy I wanted to leave," Baker said.
The conference wrapped up Wednesday.
Contact Jackie Bartz at jbartz@ktuu.com
