2016 Awards - Race Wrap Up

Last night they held the Finishers Banquet in Nome where they recognized the Mushers for not only finishing this race, but also for doing other inspirational things along the trail.  Last year we went to Iditarod Headquarters and got to see some of the official permanant awards. 

PenAir Award:  (First Musher to McGrath):  Dallas Seavey

First Musher to the Yukon Award:  Jeff King

Humanitarian Award:  Aliy Zirkle

Red Lantern Award:  Mary Helwig

First Musher to Ophir:  Brent Sass

GCI Dorothy Paige Award (Halfway):  Dallas Seavey

Bristol Bay Natave Corporation Fish First Award:  Mitch Seavey

Wells Fargo Gold Coast Award:  Brent Sass

Nome Kennel Club Fastest from Safety to Nome:  Nicolas Petit

Jerry Austin Memorial Rookie of the Year Award:  Geir Idar Hjelvik

Matson Most Improved Musher:  Noah Burmiester

Sportsman Award:  John Baker

Most Inspirational Musher:  Matt Failor

Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award:  Ralph Johannessen

Lolly Medley Memorial Golden Harness Award:  Reef (Dallas Seaveys 4 year old Lead Dog)

Winners Trophy - 1st Place Dallas Seavey

 

Aliy is in Nome - 3rd Place with our boy CHEMO!!!

Aliy recieved a big welcome in Nome...as I am sure many more streamed the live feed over the internet!  I am SO happy for her and the Team....the commentator on the live stream was nearly in tears reading her Bio....he said he and everyone wants to see her win....and that may have even been this year if it were not for the incident back in Nulato!  When Aliy and King were attacked, it changed the outcome of this race.  King at the time had banked a lot of rest with a very strong team of 15.  Aliy was sticking to her set schedule and it was putting her closer to the front.  Sure...Dallas won this one but just like in 2014 there will always be a "but" associated with this race......Dallas won in 2014 BUT that storm took out the lead Teams.....Dallas won in 2016 BUT that snowmobile attack altered the race.  You know what I mean...it will always be "but".

In my humble mind Aliy and King are the real winners of this race.  They persevered even when it would have been easier to quit.  They rallied their Teams...Aliy for this 3rd place finish and King vying for a top ten position.  The top ten+ now looks like this:

Dallas in NOME
Mitch in NOME
Aliy in NOME
Marrs at mile 961
Kaiser at mile 960
Ulsom at mile 948
Petit at mile 931
Johannessen at mile 930
KING at mile 927
Burmeister at mile 923

Scott Smyth is at mile 918
Gebhardt at mile 909
Diehl at mile 908
Sorlie at mile 905
Royer at mile 904
Anderson at mile 901

And Brent....Brent is still in White Mountain after his dogs revolted and said "NO, they wanted to stay in White Mountain".  If anyone thinks they can MAKE dogs run this race, just ask Brent and Lance....they have to WANT to run it. 

Its gonna take me all day to fill out the top 10 boards! 

 I'm pointing to our SP Kennel Sponsor Dog CHEMO.....we are proud of you Buddy!!  Even your "Sponsor Sister Cat" Schnitzel is smiling! 

Dallas wins 4th Iditarod....thats 3 in a Row and a Total of 4!

Well, he did it again....Dallas has won yet another Iditarod! 

He has now joined an elite group of Mushers who are 4 time Champs....Mackey, Buser, King, Butcher  and now Dallas.  Watch out 5 time Champ Rick Swenson!!!!

He has also joined another elite group of mushers as a "3 in a Row" Iditarod Champ....Butcher (1986, 87, 88), Swingley (1999, 2000, 2001) and now Dallas (2014, 2015, 2016).  Watch out 4 in a Row Iditarod legend Lance Mackey!  When Mackey did that in 2007 - 2019 we all thought we would never see it again. I will admit I want Lance's record to stand....hey Dallas....maybe you can take a year off!   

Oh...and he broke the speed record...he did this race in 8 Days, 11 Hours, 20 minutes and 16 seconds....another record!  

Wow...if Dallas wins next year he will not only match Lance's 4 time back to back feat, but will also match Rick Swensons 5 time Champ status!  All in one year!!  BUT that's a whole year away....there still is a race out there today!! 

Aliy is presently at mile 925
Wade Marrs at mile 906

Nome is at mile 975.

Go Aliy and the Red Team....with CHEMO!!!

Sass Still in White Mountain, Aliy leaves in 3rd Place!

It appears Sass is still sitting in White Mountain...unbelievable!!!  Aliy left with ALL 13 Team Mates...that met the coffee on and the live feed on the big screen....time to start the Iditarod Finish Festivitites here at IditaDacks! 

But first an update from the GPS Tracker:

Dallas holding his lead at mile 963.  He passed through the Safety Checkpoint, dropped a dog and is down to a very small Team of 6 dogs.....his speed is super fast! 

Next is Mitch....running at mile 958...he has also passed through Safety and is trying th chase down his son Dallas. 

Dallas no doubt is ski poling and kicking....Mitch feels that is the dogs job and is sitting or standing on the runners.  Youth is definately a factor in the Iditarod....Dallas has a clear advantage being so atheletic! 

Aliy is presently at mile 907....the only Team that can leave White Mountain any time in pursuit of Aliy at is Brent Sass.  Wade Marrs will have to wait nearly 3 hours before he can break from his 8 hour rest.

Time for that first sip of coffee....it is 5:10 am here in the Adirondacks!

As Brent's Team Balks, Dallas and Mitch Battle on the Coast!

Dallas is at mile 925...Mitch is at mile 920.  Dallas seems to be able to hold that 5 mile lead over his Dad.....so far, so good...for him! 

Joar Ulsom has arrived at White Mountain about an hour after Kaiser. 

Brent Sass leaves AND returns to White Mountain

This is odd.

After leaving White Mountain at his set time....Brent Sass travels 300 yards and then returns to the Check Point.  I never have seen this before at this stage of the race.  If you remember earlier in the race Lance Mackey did this when he asked his Team to do more than it could....but here in White Mountain....after a EIGHT hour rest???  I guess it can happen anywhere and anytime.

Brents Team looked just fine coming into the check point.  I didnt expect this. 

Aliy is set to leave at 3:45 am (our time)....Brent could give his Team a few more hours....but will they go even then?  Time will tell.

He did drop 3 dogs when he officially left the checkpoint and is down to 10 dogs. 

Dallas and Mitch Head to Nome!

Sorry for the lapse in IditaDack race coverage....I had some personal commitments and was away from the action for a while.  As you probably already know....Dallas beat Mitch and Brent into White Mountain, and are presently heading down the last 72 miles to Nome.  Dallas did drop 2 more dogs and is down to 7 team members....but that really isnt an issue...in fact a smaller Team at this juncture can be an asset if the winds are high. 

Mitch left after his 8 hour rest at 10:27 PM (our time) with 10 dogs.  Dallas is presently at mile 911 and his Dad Mitch is at mile 904. 

Brent Sass will be next up....allowed to leave at 11:40 pm our time after serving his 8 hour rest.  Aliy will leave at 3:45 am our time.  She is solidly in 4th place with no real threat from Wade Marrs who is just getting into White Mountain now.  Aliy has nearly a 3 hour lead over Wade. 

Kaiser was on Marrs heals by coming into White Mountain just 21 minutes later.  A real battle for the 5 - 10 slots will be fierce tomorrow up the coast! 

Aliy is Back on the trail!

After a 3 hour rest in Koyuk, Aliy has resumed her trek to Nome with 13 dogs on the line!  GO Aliy and the SPK Red Team!!!

Brent and Dallas at mile 832
Mitch at mile 829
Aliy at mile 806

Wade Marrs still resting in Koyuk!

Brent Passes Seaveys on the trail to Elim!

Just a moment ago, Brent Sass passed a resting Dallas Seavey at mile 827 on the way to Elim....he past Mitch just a short time ago, and now Mitch is now in pursuit at mile 823. 

Aliy didnt blow through Koyuk as I expected.  Must be her Team needed additional rest since the rest they did get was on the ice with a 30 mph wind.  Video and pictures show the dogs were able to rest, but for one reason or another she is still in Koyuk.  Wade Marrs is also in Koyuk and they are about to get some company soo with Kaiser, Ulsom and Burmeister making their way off the ice of Norton Sound right now. 

The race at this point is to White Mountain, where everyone will have to take a 8 hour break.  Its 94 miles from Koyuk to White Mountain.  Typically this is broken into 2 runs...but Sass may try to do it all in one big monster run.  The Seaveys have already rested 25 miles on route to Elim...they have another 23 miles to get to Elim and then another 46 miles to White Mountain.  They will quite likely do this in one run. 

As I write this Dallas is now following Brent....all 3 of them are now running together.  Sass at mile 829, Dallas at mile 828, and Mitch at mile 825.  

Koyuk - The Seaveys Go Through

After traveling over the sea ice together, both Mitch and Dallas reach Koyuk and then go through.  Dallas, who kicks and ski poles to help his dogs is at mile 812, while Mitch, who does not help his dogs is sitting in his sled at mile 810. 

Brent is resting in Koyuk which is at mile 804.  He made a monster run and did not rest....so he stopped here for a bit before continueing. 

Aliy, who came over the ice about halfway and rested, is now moving at mile 790.  This sets her up nice for a stop and quick go at Koyuk. 

Following Aliy, we have Marrs breathing down her trail at mile 785, Kaiser with his peppy team at mile 764, Burmiester at mile 762, and Ulsom at mile 760. 

This is as of 12:24 am EST. 

Mitch Hitches a Ride!

We all know Mitch's #1 Leader Tanner was retired...and then his #1 replacement for Tanner had a sore toe the day of the Restart.....so he didnt even get harnessed.  300 miles into the race he had to drop another young leader....that really was bad for Mitch. But he has perservered....his run times have been awesome....in fact the commentators on Iditarod.com has said Mitch's Team is the Team to beat.

Enter the Bering Sea Coast.  The trail from Unalakleet to Shaktoolik is through a frozen swamp.....what a Musher needs now is a great lead dog.  Aliy has such a dog...his name is Scout.  Scout led Aliys Team out of Unalakleet and she blew through the next check point of Shaktoolik where Mitch was resting.  And what did Mitch do?  Harnessed up his Team and followed Aliy and the Team lead by Scout through the frozen tundra to Shaktoolik!  Hitch Hiker Mitch!  When Aliy and Mitch found Dallas camped by the shores of Norton Sound it looks like Aliy said "ok...now your turn"!

So as it is right now at 8:30 EST....Brent is in the lead out on the ice (WITHOUT taking a break) at mile 786....Mitch and Dallas are at mile 778...remember, Mitch rested in Shaktoolik until Aliy came along to lead him throught the swamps...and Dallas (with is small team of 9)  must have been playing it conservative....allowing these two to catch up with him to help HIM across the ice....and Aliy, Aliy smartly pulled over and is NOT leading the 2 Seaveys across the ice...she is presently following them at mile 776.

There you go Seavey Boys....you lead the chase pack for awhile!  Way to go Aliy.....way to go!! 

Family Battle Up the Coast

Mitch and Dallas Seavey....Father and Son...wow....both out in front leading the pack.  Mitch should be stopping at Shaktoolik becasue he is due for a break according to his set run rest schedule...however he could always deviate from that at any time. 

Dallas has left Shaktoolik after grabbing some straw, thus indicating he may rest somewhere on the trail.  Brent, who logged in an hour more rest than Mitch back at Unalakleet will quite likely blow through the checkpoint and perhaps try a monster run into Koyuk.  Aliy, who is also down to 13 dogs logged in 4 hours and 18 minutes of rest in Unalakleet and may also grab some straw and head out of Shaktoolik to camp.   

Those are the 4 front runners at this juncture...however, there is a string of mushers ready to capitalize on any missteps....here is a run down as of 3:20 EST:

Dallas at mile 760
Mitch stopped at Shaktoolik at mile 754
Sass at mile 753
Aliy at mile 743
Marrs at mile 735
Burmiester at mile 726
Kaiser with a very hot team at mile 718


All others in the front swath of temas are resting at Unalakleet at this point in time.   

Mitch becomes the rabbit....for now!

As Mitch blows in and OUT of Unalakleet, it is reported Dallas and Brent are readying their teams.  Dallas is first one out on Mitch's heels, and now I also see Brents tracker has started to move out of Unalakleet as well.  I am anticipating Aily will follow suit shortly. Both Dallas and Brent are only a few miles behind Mitch.  

Mitch will likely stop in Shaktoolik, 40 miles down the trail since he camped 20 miles out from Unalakleet...the rest of the Teams who rested in Unalakleet may try pushing beyond Shak to get to Koyuk another 50 miles across Norton Sound on the Bering Sea ice.  From Unalakleet to Koyuk its a combined length of 90 miles...that is hard to do in one long march.  It will be interesting to see what Teams do here....while at the same time not running their Teams in the heat of the day.  Its 6 am in Alaska right now....the heat of the day is about from 11 to 3ish I would assume.  Temps on the Coast right now are at 5 above with a wind chill of aroujnd minus 10....its forcasted to rise into the lower teens but with bright cloudless sunshine with North winds 10 to 20 mph. 

I checked the stats....Mitch dropped a dog and is down to 12.....Dallas dropped a dog and is down to 9...Sass dropped a dog and is down to 13.    

Let the race along the Coast begin! 

Sass 1st into Unalakleet, Dallas 2nd, Aliy 3rd!

Brent made it into Unalakleet about 45 minutes ahead of Dallas....and then Aliy came in about an hour after Dallas.  Both Aliy and Brent are running a bit slower than Dallas, who is running very efficiently with 10 dogs to their 14 dogs.  Dallas is known for running fast yet small dog teams and he appears to be doing that again this year.  Wade Marrs is almost to Unalakleet, and runs a totally different schedule of short fast runs.....same with Mitch who presently is camped out at Old Woman Cabin.  So as Brent, Dallas and Aliy rest at Unalakleet, the rest of the Portage Trail Parade shakes out like this:

Marrs at mile 711
Mitch at mile 696 and resting
Kaiser at mile 690
Burmiester at mile 685
Baker at mile 681
Petit at mile 679
Ulsom also at mile 679

That rounds out the top 10.....but I got to add Jeff King at mile 676 and resting.  He, like Aliy, have put the incident behind them now and for the sake of theie Team are keeping up beat and moving down the trail!  When Jeff arrives in Unalakleet he will be greated with signs made in honor of his fallen Team mate Nash. 

Will Brent play the rabbit and jump on out on the trail ahead of the chase pack?  Or will someone like Mitch presently resting blow through Unalakleet to grab the reins in front?  Time will tell.....300 miles to go...including the infamous Norton Sound sea ice crossing and then the wicked winds from the North as the Teams travel west to Nome.  

Update....Race to the Coast!

Brent Sass has started to move again, presently at mile 662.  Aliy is still resting at mile 654, and Dallas is also still resting at mile 652.

Mitch has broke from his 8 hour mandatory rest and is at mile 648.....Wade Marrs at mile 645, and Baker at mile 640!

The trail from Kaltag to Unalakleet on the coast is 85 miles and Mushers typically break it up into 2 or 3 portions.  Unless you are Lance who back in his glory years ran from Nulato to Unalakleet in one monster run!  In any event...this is a long run....and it appears the parade has started.

As I write this Dallas has gotten up and is moving.....he must have sensed his Dad was getting close....he hates to be passed by Mitch!

Aliy no doubt will jump in on the parade.  Its going to be a long competitive ride to Unalakleet about 50 miles down the trail! 

On the Way to the Coast!

OK....back to race talk!

This is odd....NO ONE is moving!  Seriously folks....Brent is camped on the portage trail to Unalakleet at mile 658, Aliy at mile 654...and Dallas at mile 651. 

Dallas has just 10 dogs....so perhaps he is taking a very conservative take on this....keeping his competitors close so he knows exactly how much pressure to put on his little Team. 

Aliy and Brent I know are just running their schedule...both have 14 dogs and doing what is best for their Team. 

Now Mitch, who the commentators claim is in the drivers seat....is serving out his 8 hour rest back in Kaltag....basically not being allowed to play in the sand box for now.  When he breaks his rest....I will be interested to see how his Team reacts...they had blistering times heading into their 8 hour rest.....more rest typically equates to more speed.  I got to see this! 

As Teams stack up in Kaltag or resting on the trail...there really isn't much to report!  I will be sure to post when someone starts moving....be it Sass, Aliy or Dallas!

Stay tuned...this is about to get exciting....again!  

Difficult Day....but its all OK!

After hearing the news this am I was angry...upset...worried....and concerned.  Concerned that the 2 Mushers involved will be forever touched by this horrific experience....worried about the dogs that were injured (2 on Jeffs Team and 1 on Aliys Team), upset that some deranged person would do this, and angry that they carried out their vicious act.  This was criminal....as seen by the investigation now ongoing in Nulato.

But as Sebastian Schuenulle so rightly said "this is NOT Nulato...this is a bad person in Nulato".  The village itself is very supportive of the Race....as seen yesterday when Brent Sass arrived as the first Musher in the Checkpoint.  Also, you could hear Aliy say "I love this place....I just don't like that man".  We love you too Nulato....this incident just puts an ugly spot light on the fact that bad people can show up anywhere at any time....even during a race in a remote part of Alaska in the wee hours of the morning.
 So what are we to do....not race....not care....give up?  NO...we do what Aliy and Jeff did....we get right back in there!  I will admit, I retreated to my Shop and busied myself making cabinets today....I removed myself from the race....but just for a moment.  I am back now, with full Iditarod Race Coverage from the Adirondacks! But first I had to get this post out!  

As many of you saw at the Idita-Lunch I held a few weeks back, I was wearing my Sponsor Dog Chemo's race tags from his past races.....we love our Chemo Boy!!!  I typically have these in my display cabinet at home but during special occasions I wear them proudly!  Today, after hearing of the attack, and knowing Chemo was there to witness the whole thing I am once again wearing his tags and will wear them until the Team is safely under the Burled Arch in Nome!  It makes me feel closer to him and his Team Mates.  SPK has not released the name of the dog who was injured on her team....all I know is Chemo is still in there....still racing....and doing a hell of a job!!  My thoughts are with Chemo's injured Team Mate....SO glad it was not life threatening!

Rogue Snowmobiler HARRASSES Aliy and King Teams!

This is horrible.....apparently a crazed snowmobiler intentionally went after Aliy and King....killing one of Kings dogs and injuring another.  Aliy's Team was not harmed...but she was visually shaken as she checked into Nulato.  She described the incident as "a snow machine tried to kill me".

If you recall years ago, Lance Mackey's Team was hit by a snowmobile,injuring his prized dog Zorro during the Alaskan Sweepstakes in Nome.  That was due to a drunken snow machine driver....but this....this is intentional...the driver of the machine is in custody right now....I cant even put into words what I feel against this man.  I am truly saddened by this incident and the only solace I can find at this juncture is the man is in custody and therefore the mushers on the trail are safe from further attacks.

UPDATE:  Apparently the operator of the snowmobile was drunk....that isn't an excuse....its just a fact.  A drunken accident it entirely different than a drunken intentional attack.  It certainly sounds like the man was going after the drivers of the Teams.  King retrieved the hood of the snow machine and brought it to the village for ID and evidence.  I hope this man is brought up on every charge in the book...and then some.

Our thoughts are with Jeff and Aily as they regroup.       

Nulato and Beyond

The front Teams follwed Sass into Nulato.  He served out his 8 hour mandatory rest and is presently headed to Kaltag at mile 593.  He left Nulato with 14 dogs.  Mitch Seavey, who has yet to serve his 8 hour rest is actually one mile ahead of Brent with 13 dogs on his way to Kaltag.  It is a bit amazing Mitch has been able to keep up his speed without resting as much as the other Teams.  He will have to serve his 8 hour rest in Kaltag.  The rest of front pack is in Nulato...King, and Sorlie have yet to serve their 8 hour rest and may be doing that in Nulato....time will tell.  

Dallas is down to 11 dogs with 400 miles yet to go.  That is a bit percarious.  Sure, he posted the fastest time between Galena and Nulato...but the fact remains 11 dogs doesnt leave a lot of room for common injuries going forward.  One has to wonder if tossing healthy dogs in a trailer behind the sled is really working out for him.  Dogs that are on the tug line are experiancing the trail...learning it for future years.  They are also working their muscles and staying loose as they settle into a trot.  A dog cramped into a space with 2 or 3 other dogs and then pulled out to now run with the Team might not be a good strategy.....not to mention being contrary to the best interest of the dogs.  Dallas left his trailer back in Galena....so if he wants to carry dogs he will now have to do it "the old fashioned way" by putting them in his sled bag.   

That said, Dallas is still a front runner...and for now is staying put in Nulato.  Aliy is also resting in Nulato after leading the Musher parade from Galena.  Her Team looked great coming into the checkpoint.  I believe she will stay right on her schedule regardless of what people do around her.  Thats what you call "old school" strategy and disapline!

As Brent and Mitch race towards Kaltag....the chase pack will soon be on their trail.  I look forward to seeing the next phase of this race....400 miles to go!!!       

Teams Pile Up in Galena...minus Sass

Sass is the ONLY Team to have pushed beyond Galena, and is presently 25 beyond the checkpoint and going strong!  Mind you he will have to take his 8 hour mandatory break sometime on the Yukon....but it wasnt going to be in Galena!

Aliy is presently serving her 8 hour rest in Galena, after beating Brent there earlier in the day....he blew through and is still going like the Energizer Bunny!  Others who are en route to Galena who HAVE already taken their 8 hour break includes Dallas, Wade Marrs, and Nick Petit.  Mitch rested in Ruby, but broke back to the trail so he is yet to serve his time. 

Oh....King you ask?  Remember King....he  slogged his way to Ruby before taking his 24 hour rest.....claiming the gourmet dinner and $3,500 in one dollar bills....he is now blazing down the trail at a blistering 10 mph with his full compliment of 16 dogs!  Here is the breakdown:

Sass at mile 571, Aliy, Mitch, Burmeister and Sorlie all resting in Galena mile 545.....Dallas at mile 543, Joar Ulsom at mile 540, Petit at mile 538, Marrs at mile 537, King at mile 526.

We got ourselves a RACE!!!  Once folks all take their 8 hour rest we can then zero in on final strategies. 

On the Yukon

Aliy is in the front right now running down the Yukon.  Its 52 miles from Ruby to Galena, presently at mile marker 515.  Galena is at mile 545...if she goes on the average running speed of 8 mph she should get to Galena around 10:30 am Alaska time, setting up for a nice shut down of her team for the heat of the day.  Brent may follow suit...he is presently resting on the Yukon at mile 506. 

The Seaveys have both stopped in Ruby....which I find odd....resting now doesn't really set them up for taking advantage of running the team in the cooler hours of the night.  The temps are suppose to get up into the upper 30's on the river, with some sun...and if you have ever ice fished you would know sunshine reflecting off the snow REALLY heats up the surface.  The Teams who have kept moving in the night and early hours of the morning have the luxury of resting in the daytime hours when the shade-less Yukon will be heating up.  One has to wonder why Dallas and Mitch both stopped in Ruby....there must be a reason...but I bet they will not be telling. 

At 11 am EST....Aliy is the only one on the move beyond Ruby...moving along at a very nice clip with 15 dogs!  GO Aliy.....our boy Chemo and the rest of the Team are doing us all proud!!!

Enjoy the pictures of "IditaDack Central"!  Notice Willow and Whisky (my PawTrekinging/Sled Dog running "Team Adirondack") in the upper part of the picture.  They are bugging me to harness them up and go for a PawTrek!  The snow is quickly leaving us here on our Adirondack Homestead, with temps soaring into the 60's throughout the week.  I have officially put up the sled and got the PawTrek Dog Scooter out as we enter into the dreaded mud season here in the Dacks!  

 

Brent Blows Through Ruby

Brent went through Ruby, dropped a dog, and traveled another 11 miles down the Yukon and is now stopped.  Dallas just got to Ruby and I suspect he will also go through since he has just come off his 24 hour rest., however he hasnt left yet, and that was a 112 mile run in from Cripple, so perhaps he will stay. 
Mitch and Dallas typically stay at checkpoints for their race....whereas Brent only stayed in a checkpoint ONCE through this entire race.  Aliy also perfers to camp out, and will quite likey blow through Ruby like Sass did and camp out on the river to wait out the heat of the day.  Its a bit warm right now....last I looked it was in the upper teens on the river....and thats the night time tem6, with upper 20's for the heat of the day temps...yikes!  

The next tight group en route to Ruby is Petit at mile 490, Marrs also at 490, Aliy at mile 488, and Mitch running at mile 485. 

Lance Mackey - Caught Up in the Moment

Lance went all out, and was having a hell of a race.  I for one was glad to see him up there again.  But he made a fatal mistake...he tried to run his team beyond their abilities....and they revolted.  Lance turned them around outside Ophir and headed back down the trail.  Buser had a similar moment last year and Dee Dee had this happen to her years ago just a stones throw from Nome.  It is no doubt a very humbling moment for a Musher....and the realization of what went wrong is agonizing to watch.  Lance blames no one but himself, and will stay in Ophir until his dog team regains their trust in him.  Without the dogs, Lance is just a man....with out their Musher, the dogs are just a pack of dogs....bring the 2 together in a balanced way and its magic.  Lance needs to find that magic again, not to win, not to place well, but to reconnect to his dogs so they can once again be whole.  Our hearts go out to you Lance...you can do this!

Now we can see who is where!

Now that the 24 hour rests are almost over, its MUCH easier to see for a moment who is where!

King broke his rest in Cripple and bolted to Ruby to be the 1st on the Yukon as well as getting that nice meal and $3,500 in one dollar bills!  Nicely done Jeff....this is not the first time you have done this!  So as Jeff waits out his 24 hour rest, the chase pack is barreling up from Cripple....right now this is the line up:

Aliy (go Chemo Dawg) at mile 447, Sass at mile 446, Mitch at mile 432, DALLAS (yes he has served his 24 hours) is hot on the trail at mile 431, Anderson also at mile 431, Marrs at mile 429, Petit at mile 427.  King at Ruby is mile 495.  I did see Aliy took straw with her, so she will no doubt pull over to camp which is her preferance to provide better rest for her dogs. 

Once the Teams are on the Yukon they must take an 8 hour break before heading down the long portage to the coast at Unalakleet.  Its strange to say that....it seems the race just started!  We are at the halfway point....at some point someone will have to cut some rest and make a LONG run.  The front pack will pass by Ruby and King will have to watch until his 24 hours is served....and then....watch out...he has 16 strong, capable dogs all rested up to chase down the front pack! 

Chase Pack in Takotna finish their 24 Hour Rest

Wade Marrs, Mitch Seavey, Pete Kaiser and Aliy Zirkle have left Takotna after serving their 24 hour rest plus start differential.  The only other Team also completed their 24 is Hugh Neff, presently at mile 352.  Neff took his 24 way back in Nikilai so his Team isnt as fresh as the 4 who just left Takotna.  Presently he is being chased by Marrs is at mile 351, Mitch at mile 348, Kaiser at 338 and Aliy at mile 333.  This is the pack to watch through the day to see how close they get to the lead teams resting in Cripple taking their 24 hour.  Yesterday the trail was bumpy and punchy in places...especially between Ophir and Cripple.....the bumps put slack in the line and then tugs hard as the sled goes up and down.  Some Mushers said it can be a bit annoying mile after mile....but that is what the trail is offering this year.  

It is worthy to mention no one has left Cripple for the Yukon River in Ruby...where another prize awaits.  It is 112 miles from Cripple to Ruby....and if the trail has been so slow and bumpy its no wonder no one tried to push through Cripple to get there.  This chase pack of Mitch, Marrs, Kaiser and Aliy have to first cover the 25 miles from Takotna to Ophir, and then the long slow bumpy run from Ophir to Cripple which is about 59 miles, and then a big 112 miles from Cripple to Ruby to be 1st on the Yukon.  Thats nearly 200 miles!  They will catch up to Dallas and the other front runners 84 miles up the trail.  Straight running that should take about 12 hours plus snacking time along the trail.  If the trail is bad it will take longer.  The timing might reveal this pack will reach the front pack right around the time where they come off their 24 hour rest...then it will be a race once again, with the Yukon River checkpoint of Ruby the next prize!

I should mention most Mushers do not strategize to win the inner trail prizes...if they happen to be the first in a check point where there is a prize they see it as a bonus....great!  The disaplined Musher will not chase gold on the trail....they rather win trail prizes by hapenstance as they chase down the real prize in Nome!  

  

Lisbet Norris, the Adirondacks, and a Dog Named Fritz

This is Lisbet Norris starting her 2nd race from Fairbanks last March....actually a year ago today!  Lisbet runs Siberian Huskys, and is very passionate about the breed.  Her family has run a dog lot of Siberian Huskys for several decades...with bloodlines back to Seppala's stock.  

At the time, I didn't realize Lisbet's Grandmother is Natelie Norris.  She and her husband Earl helped launch the famous Fur Rendezvous sled dog (sprint) races in Anchorage.  Natelie was raised in Lake Placid in the northern Adirondacks before moving to Alaska in 1946.  In her childhood years, she recalled a mounted Siberian Husky on display in a store front in Lake Placid.  Sometime in the 1950's or 60's, the mounted Siberian was sold to the Frontier Town theme park in the southern part of the Adirondack Park.  Natelie returned to Lake Placid in the 1980's and asked about the old Siberian Husky mount and went to visit it at Frontier Town.  By now she knew a famous siberian husky named Fritz from Leonard Seppala's serum run team was mounted after he died at the ripe old age of 17 while "working" at Gimbals in NYC during the 1932 Christmas Season. She took one look at the mount and knew it was Fritz!  She offered to buy the mount but the cost was too high.  Over the next decade or so she would visit Fritz when she came to Lake Placid on vacations....the last time she saw him was in the mid 1990s.  The Park closed its doors in 1998 and its possessions, including Fritz, were auctioned off.  Natelie's brother Art Jubin lived in the area and learned who was awarded the mount. He traveled to Gloversville and negociated to buy Fritz from an antique dealer for several thousand dollars.   He arranged to have Fritz flown to Nome and is now proudly displayed at the Nome Museum.  In fact, Fritz returned "home to Nome" on January 21, 2005, exactly 80 years after the dreaded diptheria was diagonised in Nome! 

Fritz was a favored dog by Seppala, and often ran in lead with Togo in many races.  The white husky was the younger brother of Togo and was on his Team who traveled across Norton Sound and back to deliver the serum to the Bering Sea Coast during the relay.  Thanks to a little girl named Natelie in Lake Placid, Fritz is now getting the recognition he deserves!

Here is a picture of Fritz in the prime of his life: 

A long trail to Cripple - Halfway Point!

My goodness...the run from Ophir to Cripple took over 13 hours!  Dallas Seavey appears to be the winner of the Dorthy Page Halfway Award of $3,000 in gold nuggets! 

Noah Burmiester is about 15 miles from Cripple, at mile 411, Sorlie at 406, Baker at 405, Maxiner at 395, Lance at mile 384, King at mile 381 and Ralph Johannessen at mile 380. 

None of the above mentioned Teams have taken their 24 hour rest...and its unclear if Dallas will take his in Cripple, or mush on into Ruby for his 24 hour rest and a gourmet meal with $3,500 in one dollar bills as the "after dinner mint".  Time will tell who breaks from Cripple to win that prize! 

The other Teams will break from their rest in the wee hours of the night (EST)....and then the race "resumes" with the rested Teams making their way to the halfway point and beyond....whose strategy will work in their favor...the ones who went the furthest to take their 24, or the ones who opted to take their rest "early"?  

Stay Tuned!   

Beginning of the 24 Hour Rest

Most Teams have stopped to take their 24 hour rest in Nikolai, McGrath or Takotna.  The only Teams at this juncture who are pushing to take their 24 beyond Takotna is Sass running at mile 352 and just arriving at Ophir, Petit at mile 351 right behind Sass, Dallas at mile 344, and Anderson at mile 335. 

When planning their food drop bags, Teams will strategize more than one possibility to take their 24 hour rest so they can make decisions on the trail based on their Teams strength and enthusiasm.  When I saw a video of Sass's Team blowing through Takotna I must say I was one impressed Arm Chair Musher....that Team is powerfull!  300 miles into the race and the dogs were begging for more....so Sass gave it to them with another run.  I would also like to point out Sass runs with a traditional style sled....not even a tail dragger sit down sled and absolutely no dog trailer!  Good for you Brent!

Sass is still running with 15 dogs, as is Aliy, Kaiser, Petit, Mitch and Royer.  Burmeister and Ray Redington Jr. still have their full compliment of 16 dogs...while Dallas and Anderson are down to 14.  This rounds out the top 10 as of 5:33 am (EST) on Wednesday.   

Im kind of glad folks are taking their 24 hour rest today since I will be at a meeting at the State Office!!  I dont think streaming live video on my phone during the meeting would go over very well! 

Tonight, as Teams rest up for the next half of the race, I'll be posting a little write up on how the Adirondacks has a connection with the Iditarod and the Serum Run of 1925!  Its a great story that you wont want to miss so, please check in tonight!

For the 30 folks at the office who are playing "Top 10 Iditarod Picks" with me, I finally got the spreadsheet filled out and will leave a copy on the break tables....thanks for playing!  Isnt Iditarod FUN!!!

OK...off to work!  

On to McGrath!

It was a blast watching the Sled Dog "Parade" today between Rohn and Nikolai!  Mushers at the check point spoke of a very bumpy ride with low snow, no snow or glaciated ice.....Paul Gebhardt summed it up as "tough.....very hard". 

Lance Mackey couldn't be happier!!  He isn't complaining about any aches or pains...and you know he has some!  I think Lance is just happy to be in the thick of it with 16 strong dogs.  Its been a long time since he had a good run! 

Aliy's Team trotted in with our boy Chemo in swing!  I couldn't be more proud!  She left Nikolai with 15 dogs just a short time ago!  Go SPK! 

The Seaveys are running another strong race and are right on their schedule.  Dallas is still fighting his sickness but it doesn't appear to have slowed him down at all!  Mitch said he is happy where he is.....he claims he is just running his set schedule and if it puts him in the front so be it.  Typically the Seaveys like the come from behind strategy....but I think everyone this year is being conservative with such a fast trail.  It was reported Dallas had 4 dogs in the trailer to give them a "rest"....that's like 200 pounds EXTRA weight!

I guess I can say this because its my blog....I don't really like the idea of carrying dogs, other than a hurt dog or a tired dog IN the sled...not behind in a trailer.  Mushers like Dallas have figured out it takes less energy to drag a trailer behind the sled as opposed to carrying a dog in the sled, and he is exploiting that tactic a bit too far.  4 dogs....4!  Nope....I wasn't a big fan of the trailers a few years back and now I'm really not liking them.  I totally "approve" of the sit down sled "tail dragger" style to carry gear like cookers....and I see even Dee Dee has one of those now!  But the 4 or 6 foot long trailers for carrying totally healthy dogs....nope....not a big fan.  How much "rest" can a dog get back there bouncing around...I wish they would ban them altogether, or at the very least put a limit of how many dogs you are allowed to trailer. 

OK...I'll get off my soap box.....here is the front runners on the trail right now:

Dallas at mile 284, Burmiester resting at mile 283, Mitch running along at mile 281, Wade Marrs at mmile 281, Kaiser at mile 277, Aliy at mile 275, Sorlie at mile 269, Petit at mile 269, Sass at mile 268, Mackey at mile 264 having just left Nikolai.  Sass and Burmeister stopped to rest since they did not rest in Nikolai....but all the other mushers rested 4 hours, with the exception of Petit and Mackey who rested around 6 hours.  Neff has declared his 24 hour mandatory rest...which is a little odd this early....most will start taking their rest in the next 3 checkpoints....but Neff is doing what he feels he should.  Time will tell if that will pan out for him!      

Warm Temps, Low Snow, and a Tight Race!

When I headed off to bed last night, everyone was marching towards Rohn in a big parade.  By 4 am it looked liked 6 Teams blew through Rohn, not stopping...and are camped out on the trail about a third of the way to Nickolai.  Noah Burmiester rested a little over 3 hours at the checkpoint, whereas Lance, Dallas, Aliy, Mitch, Gebhardt and Smyth just picked up supplies and headed towards Nickolai.  At this point in time, Noah has passed the resting Teams on the way, and is at mile 213, Sorlie, has also passed the resting Teams and is at mile 211.  The camped out Teams are Cim Smyth at mile 209, Aliy at 208, and Dallas, Mitch and Gebhardt at mile 207....Michelle Philips is just about to pass their camp now.  Hugh Neff who was first down the Dalzell Gorge took a 6 hour break in Rohn and is presently on the move at mile 206.

It is WAY to early to say who has advantages right now....the only facts are its warm, the snow cover is poor to nonexistant on the west side of the Alaska Range, and Teams are running conservative becasue of the heat.  I did notice of the present lead teams right now, the Teams who ran from Rainy to Rohn without a rest at all did it in just over 4 hours.  That would be Lance, Dallas, Aliy, Mitch,Cim Smyth, and Sorlie.  So Teams are pretty evenly matched at this juncture.  Soon once the 24 hour rests are taken we can see some strategies playing out.  They are saying with such conservative runs early, it will equate to more power at the end of the race on the coast...so that will be exciting!

Lots of leap frogging going on right now....but it sure looks nice to have Lance in the mix!  And of course its super cool to see Aliy doing so well with a relatively young Team in SPKs "transition" year.  They stepped down some awesome dogs who typically run on the  "A" Team to now mentoring younger pups on Allen Moore's "B" Team.  The transition has been made all season, and now seems to be really gelling in Aliys Team...they are doing great!  

Teams who have rested in Rohn are hitting the trail....look for leap frogging to rule the day!  It will be interesting to see if the teams camped on the trail will get out ahead of the parade, or rest up more.  Hugh Neff just past a resting Aliy.....like I said...let the leap frogging begin again! 

Forecast in this next section of trail is highs in the upper 20's and night time temps fro 0 to 8 degrees.  Might be a night time run race in this section to avoid the "heat of the day", especially since the snow is little to none for dogs to cool off.  

Hard Fast Trail Continues into Rainy Pass

Most stories from the trail involve endless miles of trying to slow Teams down on this hard fast icy trail!  You look at the pictures and you think "what a gorgeous day to be out Mushing on the trail" but in reality the dogs don't do as good in 20 to 30 degrees above zero.  They much rather run in below zero temps than above!  That said, the Mushers are hard on the brake, trying to protect their Teams from burning out.  Hugh Neff, who is now at mile marker 188 just easing down into the checkpoint of Rohn, is leading the way....he is the first through the Dalzell Gorge....it will be interesting to hear how the trail was through that notorious part of the trail!  Hopefully the trail holds together for the chase pack....right now Noah Burmiester is at mile 172, Gebhardt is resting at mile 168, Jason Mackey at 166, Petit at mile 165, Lance Mackey (SO nice to see Lance in there) is at mile 165. The trail of Teams continue on at a steady pace.  Soon the hard technical driving will be over....and then its a long march on to the inner recesses of the State....with Buffalo, Carabou and Moose wandering the country.  Blogger Sebastian Schnuelle was turned around by a moose while motoring down the trail on his snow machine to Rainy Pass.  He ended up relinquishing the trail to the beast.

I heard an interview with Dallas....his Team is doing great but man, does he sound horrible.  Its got to be terrible being out on the trail with the flu.  Hopefully its just a 24 hour bug and he will bounce back in no time.  I see Aliy stopped short of the Rainy Pass Checkpoint to take a nice long break camping out.  Probably a good choice for a quieter place for her dogs to rest...plus she is away from any sick Mushers who are at the checkpoint!  Aliy is presently at mile 159 after a quick 6 minute stop in Rainy Pass.  She left 3 minutes after Dallas with 15 dogs.

Wade Marrs appears to be feeling much better...he was all smiles heading down the trail.  

Mitch Seavey had to drop another lead dog.  What a bummer....thats the 2nd veteran leader to be taken off the Team!  

The Teams were treated to a nice northern light show last night....I hope they have another great night tonight!  Sunset for them is around 6:30 pm...thats 10:30 EST.  Many Teams may be heading down the gorge at night...if the aurora is out, I doubt they will have the time to enjoy it!     

Fast Track To the Front

Its reportedly a very fast trail due to the low snow conditions in this first section of trail.  This morning at 3 am I had to chuckle....it appears Hugh Neffs wish to be "more conservatiove until the later part of the race" seems to be exactly NOT what he is doing!  Hugh with Bib#70 is presently in second chasing down Nickolas Petit!

Some of you may recall in past years its been Martin Buser taking on the rabbit role early in the race....running all the way through the Alaska Range before really taking any breaks....but it appears Martin is hanging back....perhaps because he has the flu.  Apparently the flu is going around the Mushers right now!  Dallas is said to have it too, with Wade Marrs coming down with it on Thursday.  I can not imagine being sick on the trail....lets hope anyone who gets it will have a speedy recovery on the speedy trail!

Right now, at 5:15 am eastern time the GPS Tracker has Petit resting at mile 104, Neff at mile 100, Allen Moore (SP Kennel......go Black Team) at mile 92, Lance Mackey at mile 91, Kaiser resting at mile 89, Cim Smyth resting at 85, Ray Redington at 84, Jody Baily at mile 85, Rick Casillo at 84 and Jessie Royer just leaving the check point at mile 84.  All other Teams are still resting at this juncture at the Skwentna check point....I anticipate a mass exit shortly! 

There is PLENTY of miles to go.....strategies will play out as the race progresses....more on that later! 


 

IDITAROD 2016 is HERE!!

HELLO from the Adirondacks....or is it the IditaRonDacks!!!  We have rolled around to another Iditarod, and we kicked it off in style by bringing Alaska to the Adirondacks with King Crab from Seward Alaska!  Happy IditaDay!!

The Teams are making their way out of the chute as I write this...and the most EXCITING news is our SP Kennel Sponsor Dog "Chemo" has made Aliy Zirkles Team...Bib #13!!!  This is GREAT news and Im sure Chemo will do an awesome job!!  The picture below is of him yesterday during the Ceremoinial Start in Anchorage.....GO CHEMO!! 

So many teams are trying for a top 10 finish.....of course there is Dallas and Mitch, Aliy, King, Joar Ulsom, Ken Anderson.....and the list goes on and on and on......!!  PLEASE follow close along.....I will be posting ALL through the race....probably more often after they take their mandatory 24 hour rest but rest assured, I will scour the internet with "tails of the trail" to share with everyone!