Teams File into Shageluk!

I for one have had a WONDERFUL morning…up at 4 am and was glued to the GPS Tracker, watching the jockeying of positions from Iditarod to Shageluk! The trail is reportedly soft and punchy…Sebastion was the first out of Iditarod, but I have learned via the Podcast on www.iditablog.com ,that Schnuelle has a “elderly” Team. 8 yrs old is considered old for a sled dog….but Sebastian has one 12 year old…and 2 - 10 year olds!!! So, in order for them to run slow (they will have more muscle issues if they run fast) he purposely gives them shorter breaks to maintain just one speed. Sebastian has been known to put rescue dogs on his Team….he is an all around “dog person” for sure! Go Sebastian!!

So, as they made their way to Shageluk, it became apparent that some teams do better in poor trail conditions. Namely Neff (first into Shageluk), Baker (second), Gatt (third)….and get this…MACKEY is 4th into Shageluk….followed VERY closely by Buser! Hugh dropped a dog and left for Anvik with 12 in harness…Baker took pursuit after Neff a mere 30 minutes later with 13 dogs. As I write this, the GPS Tracker shows Gatt is signing in right now, Mackey is next in line followed by Buser and Ray Reddington Jr. It might take a little time for the official race standings to show the stats on Gatt, Mackey, Buser and Reddington….but its DEFINITELY a tight race and it looks as though some of the Teams that had troubles in the beginning of the race are finding their groove on their way to the Yukon! Who will rest in Shagleluk, and who will race on into Anvik, where an 8 course meal awaits the 1st Team onto the Yukon!