So, What Happened to My Iditarod Plans?

I had originally hoped to run my first Iditarod in 2009. But, as with any kind of plans, nothing is ever a sure bet.
Running the qualifiers in the 2007-2008 season proved to be a financial burden that I did want to take on. Seeing that Rebekah was beginning to have some success with her Junior racing career, I thought it wise to put our resources into that endeavor.
Since that decision, many additional obstacles have popped up. The Iditarod Race Committee had decided to raise the entry fee for the race from $1850 in 2007 to $3,000 in 2008 and to $4,000 in 2009. There is talk of raising the fee even higher; rumors put this number at anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 over the next few years.
There is also talk of changing the qualifying requirements from the completion of a 200 and 300 mile race to a points system. It is unknown what effect that such a system will have on the rookie entrants if it is indeed incorporated.
So, where does this leave me and my first Iditarod attempt? Probably out in the dark. The entry fee increase alone has most likely excluded me (and others) from trying to pursue the race. Sponsorship monies are pretty well tied up by the leading mushers, making it nearly impossible for rookies to fund their race without resorting to bake sales and spaghetti feeds.
I'm going to take a wait-and-see attitude. I may run one qualifier this next season (2009-2010) just to see how it goes and with my sights on a possible Yukon Quest attempt sometime in the future.
But, for now I am quite content to dedicate all of my efforts to Rebekah's last year of junior competition.
After that, who knows?