These days you can bet on just about anything. Far from the traditional flutter on the horses or bet on the outcome of a football match, bookies now give odds on political elections, the winner of reality TV shows and, apparently, on natural phenomena.
In the far north of Alaska, it’s an annual tradition to bet on the date of the first ice melt. On the very edge of the USA – and you could say, of civilization – for locals it’s a huge event. Although it’s unclear whether science or gut feeling is the way to go, thousands of people – in Alaska and beyond - place bets on the exact time that the ice will break at the River Tanana.
So far, the pot is up to $300,000. The prize will be split between all those who guessed the exact time correctly. Last year, 22 bettors shared the jackpot.
Scientists are also interested in this phenomenon, since ice appears to be melting earlier in recent years due to global warming. This data gives them useful information on climate change – although contrary to popular belief, the earliest melt was actually in 1926. The general trend does however show temperatures rising.
The villagers of Nenana rig up an alarm system, consisting of a cable attached to a clock and a siren, to warn them of the moment the ice breaks. Regular measures are published in the press of the thickness of the ice, to give punters an idea of what is to come.
The Ice Classic is a combination of nature’s power and the gambler’s quest to predict the right outcome every time.
Betting is open until midnight on April 5th.
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