Career
His first Iditarod was in 1992. His first victory came in 1995 and he followed it by winning in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Swingley pulled out of the 2004 Iditarod because of frostbite in his corneas (eyes).
Since the injury, his night vision has diminished, so he prefers to race during the day.
He placed 14th in the 2005 race. He entered the 2006 race.
Doug took control of the race early and led the race coming into the Takotna checkpoint 436 miles in where he elected to take his mandatory 24 hour layover. During the layover he was passed by Jeff King, but those two would challenge each other for the lead until the race reached the Bering Sea coast where Jeff King finally pulled away as Doug"s team was having difficulty negotiating occasional stretches of bare ice.
Doug finished the race in second place behind King, but vowed to return in 2007 with a very strong team
Swingley was born and raised in Great Falls.
