Troopers out at Arctic Man competition

FAIRBANKS (AP) -- Alaska State Troopers have assigned 14 troopers to make sure the crowd doesn't get out of hand at the 17th annual Arctic Man competition.

Up to 12,000 spectators and snowmachiners were expected at the three-day event which runs through Saturday at Summit Lake near Paxson.

The competition features a combination of skiing and snowmobiling in which competitors approach speeds of up to 90 miles an hour.

The 14 troopers will be rotating through eight hour shifts, patrolling the grounds with snowmachines and four-wheelers.

Trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson said they would be looking for any reckless behavior and enforcing drunk driving laws -- both on the road and off.