The Iditarod sled dog race will survive its financial problems and emerge in a stronger position, if one column is to be believed.

An opinion piece for the Anchorage Daily News suggested the recent news that the event has lost $1 million of sponsorship this year "feels like … amputation".

However, it pointed to a period in the early 1990s when similar money issues beset organisers but the race survived.

"The economics of the event are like the trail – no guarantees, no promise of ever-increasing purses," the article added.

However, the piece did concede that many mushers rely on sponsorship to live, concluding: "Maybe some sponsoring angel will sweeten the purse between now and March [2010]."

Some 75 competitors have already signed up to take part in the race, including three-time winner Lance Mackey, Jeff King and Jamaican rookie Newton Marshall.

The likes of Kathleen Frederick, Martin Buser and Allen Moore are also set to be on the starting line.