They call him the Italian moose. Roberto Guidoni, 53, is a small farmer from near Brescia in northern Italy. In the next few days he is expected to win one of the most gruelling races in the world for the third time. The Iditarod race is from Anchorage, the capital of the state of Alaska, to Nome, 1799 km to the north, in Alaska on the Bering Sea. The race started on 26 February with 47 people taking part. Competitors may use a sledge and dogs, a mountain bike or skis, or they may run with a sledge-like scooter. Guidoni is the only runner left in the race and is several days ahead of the remaining competitors.