King put 20 minutes between Aliy and him with this run.....he reported left Koyuk one minute ahead of her. The tracker shows Dallas just passed Buser on the trail and he left. Good 20 minutes behind Buser, so Dallas is smoking the trail for sure! Most Mushers don't linger in Elim long. It's only 4 to 5 hours further to White Mountain where 8 hour rest awaits the musher, but more importantly White Mountain sets the schedule of departures to Nome 8 hours later. Basically they Order they come into White Mountain is the way the leave for the last 77 miles of the race. Last year Aliy passed King in this section and it was her best run of the race. This year King is guarding against this, and shows no sign of slowing. Aliy and her Teams average speed from Koyuk was 8.09. King was 8.55.....and Id be willing to bet Dallas average speed will top Kings.
Will King claim an elusive 5th win?
Will Aliy finally win her first Iditarod, or accept a 3 year in a row 2nd placing finish?
Will Dallas be the spoiler in it all and pass them both to claim his second victory?
Only time will tell! I'm going to work today BUT will blog through the night as they leave White Mountain towards the Burled Arch in Nome.
As for the rest of the chase pack......I expect Mitch of over take Sonny any time now...they left Koyuk a mere 2 minutes from eachother and I'm sure Mitch will put it in high gear here pretty soon.
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