A dog died during this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race while waiting for transport back to Anchorage after it had been dropped Monday.

The necropsy performed on the dog, named Dorado that died Friday revealed that the dog died from asphyxiation.

Race Marshal Mark Nordman had said the weather delayed efforts to get dropped dogs to Anchorage.

Dorado belonged to rookie musher Paige Drobny, 38-year-old. Dog was dropped from the race Monday after he failed to perform as well as the rest of his team. He was cared for in a dog lot, area set up for dogs dropped from the race.

As the dog waited for transport he was buried under the drifting snow created by strong winds between Thursday night and Friday morning, smothering him.

Race officials stated that Dorado died from, "asphyxiation as the result of being buried by snow in severe wind conditions."

"Dorado and all other dropped dogs were last checked at 3:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Between that time and daylight, drifting snow covered several dogs and Dorado was found to be deceased," race officials said in a statement. "The entire Iditarod family is mourning this loss. We ask that you support Paige and her family during this difficult time."

Race spokeswoman Erin McLarnon said the Iditarod has not had a dog death since 2009.