Aliy Just Miles Out From Iditarod

As I write this, Aliy will be making her way into the remote checkpoint of Iditarod, where she will be greeted with the Dorothy Page (Mother of the Iditarod) Halfway Award!  They have the live feed up so I am eager to see how her Team looks after the long trek over from Ophir.  She will get a welcomed long 24 hour rest once she gets settled in.  I can hear some wind on the live feed, so I will be curious to hear how the trail was!

Meanwhile, behind her all sorts of awakenings are happening....Teams are getting off their 24 hour rest and taking chase.  In a surprise move yesterday, Martin Buser blew through Takotna instead of declaring his 24 hour rest, and looks as though he too will be taking his 24 in Iditarod with Aliy.  All the other front runners that are on the trail now have taken their 24 hour break, and will pass Aliy and Buser as they rest in Iditarod....but at least Aliy will have some time to herself here before the chase pack comes in. 

Here is the breakdown in the parade of Teams that are moving:

Aliy at mile 429, about to reach the Iditarod Checkpoint any moment now to take her 24 hour rest
Buser at mile 392, will take his 24 hour rest in Iditarod
Joar Ulsom at mile 368
Pete Kaiser at mile 343
Richie Diehl at mile 336
Redington at mile 334
Mitch Seavey at mile 332
Matt Hall at mile 331

There are several front running Teams still waiting out their 24 hour rest in Ophir at mile 352. Nic Petit will be the first to break from that checkpoint very soon.  Others serving their 24 hour rest in Ophir are Jesse Holmes, Burmeister and Jessie Royer.  

Speed.....if the GPS mph is somewhat correct, it looks as though Aliy is keeping a steady 5 to 6 mile out in front presumably breaking trail.  Martins speed is 4 to 5 mph right now.  Neither of the Teams have rested for a long period.  Aliy did stop at the cabin for 2.5 hours, but other than stopping and snacking dogs this is all the rest they have gotten on the 80 mile remote run from Ophir to Iditarod.  Joar is posting speeds that are 8 mph.  He is fresh off of his 24 hour rest and is just entering the long remote stretch from Ophir to Iditarod.....so is his speed due to a fresh Team, or does the trail get progressively softer as it reaches Iditarod and slowing Teams like Aliy and Buser down?  As soon as I get some insider info on the trail I will pass it along.