Wow…a lot can happen in 24 hours! The Teams are moving well…and the Dallzell Gorge and infamous Steps are behind most of the favored Mushers. I watched a video of 3 crashes on the Steps…all I can say is OMG! Amazing…simply amazing! Buser was the first into Nikolai with 16 happy sled dogs! He rested for around 4.5 hours and he is back on the trail…again, with 16 happy and healthy dogs!
Lance Mackey isn’t as fortunate. He rode into the Nikolai Checkpoint with 2 dogs in his sled. And he actually had another tucked into his sled before reaching the checkpoint. He admits, he has a young team…not quite up to the task. Its ok Lance…take care of your Team first…you don’t need to win all 5 in a row! He left Nikolai with only 12 dogs. Go Mackey Go…safe travels to you and your dozen furry Team Mates!
As for the others who left Nikolai…there is Schnuelle, Neff (looking good Hugh!!), Bundtzen, Mitch Seavey, and Redington to name a few. And who the hell is Bundtzen??? This 61 year old Doctor is having a most amazing run…right up there with the “Big Boys”. I got to hand it to this guy…his interview was so honest you gotta love him! He says “the real strategy is on the coast…and I just don’t know how to do that”. Hey…at least he is honest! Again, you gotta love this guy! Hats off to you Dr Robert Bundtzen! Can I call you Bob?
Soon it will be time for the Mushers to take their 24 hour layovers (note to self…on my dream vacation, after all the hoopla of the start, restart, and fly in to Rainy Pass Checkpoint, it would be good to plan my return to the Dacks during the time most lead Mushers will take their 24 hour rest….hey…its good to plan ahead!!!)
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