How does the Iditarod race start?

Question

with a wave of the flag or whistle? what?

Answer 1

there is a banquet before hand and the mushers are randomly given their start number. When the first team goes they count down and then the team leaves. the next team has 3 minutes to get ready, then they count down again. if your team isn't ready to leave the chute within the allotted time, you have to wait until then end and be added on last. they do the 3 minute thing for every team, this year there were 97 teams.

Answer 2

A whistle in the Jr Iditarod, Gun in occasional, and flag in the big race.