10 January 2024 , 09:00
586
0
Antiques Roadshow fans became teary-eyed this week as they heard the inspirational story behind a first-place Alaskan trophy with a staggering appraisal value that one proud guest brought on the show this week.
Appraiser Leila Dunbar gushed over the incredible antique shiny silver trophy won at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in the '90s and the moving history behind the win. The antique expert gushed: "We don't often on the roadshow get to talk about female heroes so I could not be more thrilled that you brought in this 1990 first place championship trophy for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race won by Susan Butcher - your wife!"
David Monson, husband of the late athlete, replied: "Yes Susan and I met out on the Iditarod Trails. We just got stuck in a snow storm and met in 1981." He then began to tell the tale his wife's lifelong passion for dogs and her thrill-seeking spirit that led her to become one of the greatest dog mushers in Alaskan history.
READ MORE: Netflix Fool Me Once fans 'can't concentrate' after recognising actor from iconic film
Susan Butcher's husband brings on first-place trophy athlete won after Iditarod Sled Dog RaceSusan won the trophy after participating in the strenuous trek that began in Anchorage, Alaska and ended Nome. The races were a treacherous journey during which most athletes would face very harsh weather conditions including temperatures that would dip 30 to 50 degrees below zero. Susan broke a state record with the fourth first-place win with a record time of 11 days 1 hour 53 minutes and 23 seconds.
Antiques Roadshow to air special to trace history of nursing amid strike action
Susan became a trailblazer in the sport bringing home the winning trophy four times in the Iditarod race creating a legacy that lasted long after her death in 2006. David reflected on his wife's record-breaking wins and the memory she left behind. He said: "It was quite a turning point in women's sports and just the evolution and how you thought about it and Susan then became - because she competed in a field with men - kind of an icon of that experience. She represented the ability of women to compete on an equal level."
Susan's trophy was valued at an astounding $100,000 valueLeila excitedly replied: "I heard that there's a t-shirt out there that says 'In Alaska men are men and women win the Iditarod.' She's an Alaskan hero to all." She went on to predict what the final appraisal price would be explaining that since there are so many passionate fans of the race in its 50 years of existence it is much higher than many would expect. David was certainly taken aback as he laughed in shock when Leila revealed the insurance value at a staggering $100,000.
Antique Roadshow fans took to X, formerly Twitter, raving over the episode and sweet story behind the valuable antique. One viewer wrote: "#antiquesroadshow I'm sad that Susan passed. But what a wonderful thing this husband did to bring the trophy to the show. Incredible!!" Another added: "That was an Emmy winning appraisal. It had everything great about this show. Who’s cutting onions?!" And a third wrote: "I'm not crying, you're crying! So much fascinating history here!"