Category — Iditarod

Zoya DeNure and her team of rescues, rejects, and runts have scratched at Tanana. None of the dogs had been dropped, and they had a solid run into Tanana, so I’ll make a wild guess that Zoya may have been injured moving through the trees. [They finally said ‘personal reasons’.]

Lance Mackey, Jason Mackey, and Rick Cosillo took the 24-hour break at Tanana, which dropped them to the back, but will move up as everyone else takes theirs. Lance is having issues due the poor circulation in his hands and the cold temperatures.

Aaron has his eye on the half-way money at Huslia, and blew through Galena.

Gwenn Bogart scratched at Tanana for ‘personal reasons’.

Beyond Galena
1 Aaron Burmeister (63)
2 Dallas Seavey (46)
3 Martin Buser (4)
4 Thomas Waerner (8)^R
5 Hugh Neff (24)
6 Curt Perano (21)
7 Ken Anderson (36)
At Galena
8 Jeff King (59)
9 Aliy Zirkle (32)
10 Jessie Royer (3)
11 Wade Marrs (65)
12 Michelle Phillips (6)
13 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (16)
14 Nathan Schroeder (26)
15 Peter Kaiser (54)
[Read more →]

Brent Sass got smacked between the eyes with an Apple! Actually he had an Apple IPod Touch which has WiFi capabilities, that makes it a ‘two-way communications device’ and a violation of the rules of the Iditarod, so he has been disqualified.

Martin, Hugh, DeeDee, and Kelly Maixner took their 8-hour mandatory stop at Tanana, so Aliy’s lead is not as big as it appears.

At Ruby
1 Mitch Seavey (18)
2 Dallas Seavey (46)
3 Aaron Burmeister (63)
4 Martin Buser (4)
5 Aliy Zirkle (32)
Beyond Tanana
6 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (16)
7 Hugh Neff (24)
8 Peter Kaiser (54)
9 Jessie Royer (3)
10 Ken Anderson (36)
[Read more →]

The leaders are in Manley Hot Springs this morning while everyone else is on the river.

The trail is off the river to the old mail route between Manley and Tanana because of open water. Manley does have a hot spring and a temperature of -29°F, so the leaders will probably take a break.

Martin’s team is moving at almost 11mph, while Aliy’s and Lance’s teams are over 10mph. It is a very fast trail for these teams.

At Tanana
1 Martin Buser (4)
2 Hugh Neff (24)
3 Aliy Zirkle (32)
4 Aaron Burmeister (63)
5 Brent Sass (71)
6 DeeDee Jonrowe (29)
7 Nicolas Petit (12)

Beyond Manley Hot Springs
8 Peter Kaiser (54)
9 Mitch Seavey (18)
10 Jessie Royer (3)
[Read more →]

At 1PM CDT [10AM AKDT] The Red Lantern of this year’s Yukon Quest, Rob Cooke, left the start line in Fairbanks. It was 1°F with light snow when the Siberians headed towards Nenana on the Tanana River. The rest of the field is leaving in 2 minute intervals.

A bit of sad news. Stuart, a young black husky mix that was with the Lachlan Clarke team has died after being hit by a car in Anchorage Saturday night. Stuart slipped his lead while being fed after the parade and ran off. The driver who hit Stuart didn’t stop. Stuart wasn’t one of the 16 dogs on the starting team, and the team has decided to compete.

This post will be updated during the day.

At 3:34PM CDT the last team left Fairbanks. It was Zoya DeNure with her team of ‘rescues, rejects, and runts’.
[Read more →]

This can be a very fast trail, or a pure terror depending on the condition of the ice on the rivers and the Norton Sound. With the Sound, the wind speed can also be a major factor, because if the ice is smooth, the dogs can’t get a grip and the entire team can get blown for miles.

The two numbers reflect the approximate number of miles from the last checkpoint, and the total miles for the race. The 11 miles for Fairbanks represents the ‘parade’ and are not actual racing miles.

As forecast the temperatures are dropping along the route and some snow has been added in the past week, so the lead teams should have a fast trail.

Tanana River
Fairbanks 11 11
Nenana 60 71
Manley Hot Springs 90 161
Tanana 66 227
Yukon River
Ruby 119 346
Galena 50 396
Over Land
Huslia 82 478
Koyukuk 86 564
Yukon River
Nulato 22 586
Kaltag 47 633
Over Land
Unalakleet 85 718
Norton Sound
Shaktoolik 40 758
Koyuk 50 808
Elim 48 856
Golovin 28 884
White Mountain 18 902
Safety 55 957
Nome 22 979

It’s the first Saturday in March, so it’s Susan Butcher Day in Alaska and time for the Iditarod Parade in Anchorage.

This year they need pontoons on the sleds because they have temperatures in the mid to high 30s and light rain this morning. The rain looks like it will be gone by the start of the parade at 1PM CST. After the parade the teams will have to pack up and head up to Fairbanks for the start of the actual racing on Monday.

The route of the actual race is over most of the 1925 Diphtheria Serum Run to Nome. The actual run was from the train station at Nenana to Nome on the Tanana River to the Yukon River at Tanana, then on the Yukon River to Kaltag. On the Iditarod nothern route from Ruby to Nome is the same trail as the Serum Run. This year’s Iditarod starts in Fairbanks which is the first of two changes to the Serum Run Trail. The second change is the detour North to Huslia from Galena before returning to the Yukon at Koyukuk. These changes add about 230 miles to the Serum Run trail making it close to 1000 miles.

Below the fold is the starting order for the race:
[Read more →]

At 730PM CST it was 45°F in Cinco Bayou, 43°F with light rain in Anchorage, AK, 32°F with light snow in Fairbanks, AK, and -2°F with a wind chill of -17°F in Fairport, NY.

The Iditarod race starts on March 7^th with the 11 mile parade, and they are going to have to get a snowmaking machine for that to happen, because there is no local snow to haul in. The actual racing will start on Monday, March 9^th in Fairbanks, because there is no snow in southern Alaska.

If you are one of those people who denies the existence of global climate change, I wouldn’t talk about it near the Iditarod Trail Committee any time soon. They are a little busy trying to figure out how to have a sled dog race with no snow.

Today is when you see how crummy the coverage of the back of the pack and weekends really is by the Iditarod Trail Committee et al. The only real source of information is the GPS tracking system, which I ‘beta-tested’ when it was first introduced, but now is part of their ‘corporate strategy’. Both the ITC and the Anchorage Daily News are nickel and dime-ing fans to death, by requiring everyone involved to sign non-disclosure agreements and limiting all media access, and then charging for access.

Elliot has probably been in White Mountain for hours, but I won’t give the ITC their 30 pieces of silver to find out. I gave them more than that as a donation when it was voluntary, but no longer.

Update: Elliot scratched at Elim, probably as a result of ‘Rule 36’ pressure, so Marcelle Fressineau is the new Red Lantern.

Update: Marcelle blew through Safety with only a brief stop so Monica is carrying the tail light.

It’s over. Marcelle ended up with the Red Lantern by arriving less than a minute after Lisbet at 7:42PM AKDT [10:42PM CDT]

Finished at Nome
41 Charley Bejna (26)^R
42 Robert Bundtzen (64)
43 Newton Marshall (9)
44 Tommy Jordbrudal (12)^R
45 Yvonne Dabakk (8)^R
46 Alex Buetow (60)^R
47 Monica Zappa (18)^R
48 Lisbet Norris (41)^R
49 Marcelle Fressineau (50)^Q Φ

The Mushers in bold are former winners of the Iditarod, while italics indicates Yukon Quest winners. The numbers in parentheses are their Bib numbers. The small “R” indicates a total rookie, while the small “Q” indicates an Iditarod rookie who has completed a Yukon Quest.

These are the official standings. That means they are official, not that they are correct. Things jump around a lot as people decide to update the standings. This problem is especially bad in the back of the pack, as no one bothers to update those standings when the lead is changing.

This post will be updated during the day, and the map changed on all posts to reflect the current situation.
All posts on the Iditarod can be seen by selecting “Iditarod” from the Category box on the right sidebar.

All of the money has been awarded, so now it is about finishing to get the belt buckle. Elliot Anderson will take the Red Lantern if he can finish. He left Elim at Noon CDT, 6 hours behind Monica Zappa. He still has 15 puppies on his team.

Finished at Nome
31 Dan Kaduce (5)
32 Katherine Keith (63)^R
33 Justin Savidis (34)
34 Jason Mackey (39)
35 Danny Seavey (62)
36 Karin Hendrickson (33)
37 Travis Beals (48)
38 Christian Turner (21)^R
39 Anna Berington (52)
40 Mike Ellis (66)
41 Charley Bejna (26)^R
42 Robert Bundtzen (64)
43 Newton Marshall (9)

The Mushers in bold are former winners of the Iditarod, while italics indicates Yukon Quest winners. The numbers in parentheses are their Bib numbers. The small “R” indicates a total rookie, while the small “Q” indicates an Iditarod rookie who has completed a Yukon Quest.

These are the official standings. That means they are official, not that they are correct. Things jump around a lot as people decide to update the standings. This problem is especially bad in the back of the pack, as no one bothers to update those standings when the lead is changing.

This post will be updated during the day, and the map changed on all posts to reflect the current situation.
All posts on the Iditarod can be seen by selecting “Iditarod” from the Category box on the right sidebar.

The first 30 teams get some of their money back, so there is still a cash incentive in operation, as well as the fame/infamy of the Red Lantern.

Rule 36 that allows ‘uncompetitive’ teams to be withdrawn had better be ignored this year. The teams still on the trail have survived the Steps, the Gorge, and the Burn. They are facing miles of glare ice on Golovin Bay, so if they want to finish, they had better be permitted to do it. There should be a combat star added to the belt buckle given to finishers this year.

Finished at Nome
20 Michelle Phillips (15)
21 Robert Sørlie (22)
22 Ralph Johannessen (54)^R
23 Curt Perano (2)
24 Cim Smyth (28)
25 Paige Drobny (3)
26 Rick Casillo (30)
27 Allen Moore (19)
28 Paul Gebhardt (35)
29 Mats Pettersson (44)^R
30 Kristy Berington (56)
31 Dan Kaduce (5)
32 Katherine Keith (63)^R
33 Justin Savidis (34)
34 Jason Mackey (39)
35 Danny Seavey (62)
36 Karin Hendrickson (33)
37 Travis Beals (48)
38 Christian Turner (21)^R

The Mushers in bold are former winners of the Iditarod, while italics indicates Yukon Quest winners. The numbers in parentheses are their Bib numbers. The small “R” indicates a total rookie, while the small “Q” indicates an Iditarod rookie who has completed a Yukon Quest.

These are the official standings. That means they are official, not that they are correct. Things jump around a lot as people decide to update the standings. This problem is especially bad in the back of the pack, as no one bothers to update those standings when the lead is changing.

This post will be updated during the day, and the map changed on all posts to reflect the current situation.
All posts on the Iditarod can be seen by selecting “Iditarod” from the Category box on the right sidebar.

I’ll keep annoying people until the Red Lantern is handed out. Mushers really messed up yesterday by forgetting to pack the ice skates for the dogs so they could get across the glare ice on Golovin Bay with 25 to 35 mph crosswinds blowing them all over. 😈

Nathan managed to overtake Abbie and win Rookie of the Year by 6 minutes.

Finished at Nome
10 Aaron Burmeister (23)
11 Michael Williams, Jr. (7)
12 Ken Anderson (65)
13 Peter Kaiser (43)
14 Richie Diehl (11)
15 Matt Failor (57)
16 Wade Marrs (67)
17 Nathan Schroeder (25)^R
18 Abbie West (69)^Q
19 John Baker (53)
20 Michelle Phillips (15)
21 Robert Sørlie (22)
22 Ralph Johannessen (54)^R

The Mushers in bold are former winners of the Iditarod, while italics indicates Yukon Quest winners. The numbers in parentheses are their Bib numbers. The small “R” indicates a total rookie, while the small “Q” indicates an Iditarod rookie who has completed a Yukon Quest.

These are the official standings. That means they are official, not that they are correct. Things jump around a lot as people decide to update the standings. This problem is especially bad in the back of the pack, as no one bothers to update those standings when the lead is changing.

This post will be updated during the day, and the map changed on all posts to reflect the current situation.
All posts on the Iditarod can be seen by selecting “Iditarod” from the Category box on the right sidebar.

I’m going to let Craig Medred explain how Dallas Seavey won his second Iditarod in record time while Aliy Zirkle is second for the third year in a row – it’s complicated. Jeff King scratched, as did Kelly Maixner.
Update: Now Hugh Neff has scratched. It must be something with the puppies, because he will usually continue when personally injured, but not if the puppies are unhappy.

Finished at Nome
1 Dallas Seavey (14)
2 Aliy Zirkle (10)
3 Mitch Seavey (6)
4 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (47)
5 Sonny Lindner (70)
6 Martin Buser (36)
7 Jessie Royer (27)
8 Ray Redington Jr (51)
9 Hans Gatt (58)
Beyond White Mountain
10 Aaron Burmeister (23)
11 Michael Williams, Jr. (7)
12 Ken Anderson (65)
At White Mountain
13 Peter Kaiser (43)
14 Richie Diehl (11)
15 Matt Failor (57)
16 John Baker (53)
17 Wade Marrs (67)
18 Nathan Schroeder (25)^R
19 Abbie West (69)^Q
20 Michelle Phillips (15)

The Mushers in bold are former winners of the Iditarod, while italics indicates Yukon Quest winners. The numbers in parentheses are their Bib numbers. The small “R” indicates a total rookie, while the small “Q” indicates an Iditarod rookie who has completed a Yukon Quest.

These are the official standings. That means they are official, not that they are correct. Things jump around a lot as people decide to update the standings. This problem is especially bad in the back of the pack, as no one bothers to update those standings when the lead is changing.

This post will be updated during the day, and the map changed on all posts to reflect the current situation.
All posts on the Iditarod can be seen by selecting “Iditarod” from the Category box on the right sidebar.

Jeff has a 20 minute lead on Aliy, so it is going to be a sprint to the finish. Quest veteran Abbie West is looking good for the rookie honors.
Update:Jeff has a 57 minute lead over Aliy at White Mountain

Beyond White Mountain
1 Jeff King (17)
2 Aliy Zirkle (10)
At White Mountain
3 Dallas Seavey (14)
4 Mitch Seavey (6)
5 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (47)
6 Sonny Lindner (70)
Beyond Elim
7 Martin Buser (36)
8 Aaron Burmeister (23)
9 Kelly Maixner (13)
10 Jessie Royer (27)
11 Ray Redington Jr (51)
12 Hans Gatt (58)
At Elim
13 Hugh Neff (61)
14 John Baker (53)
Beyond Koyuk
15 Robert Sørlie (22)
16 Peter Kaiser (43)
17 Richie Diehl (11)
18 Wade Marrs (67)
19 Michelle Phillips (15)
20 Ken Anderson (65)
21 Abbie West (69)^Q

The Mushers in bold are former winners of the Iditarod, while italics indicates Yukon Quest winners. The numbers in parentheses are their Bib numbers. The small “R” indicates a total rookie, while the small “Q” indicates an Iditarod rookie who has completed a Yukon Quest.

These are the official standings. That means they are official, not that they are correct. Things jump around a lot as people decide to update the standings. This problem is especially bad in the back of the pack, as no one bothers to update those standings when the lead is changing.

This post will be updated during the day, and the map changed on all posts to reflect the current situation.
All posts on the Iditarod can be seen by selecting “Iditarod” from the Category box on the right sidebar.

Nicholas Petit has scratched at Unalakleet, ending a very strong race. He felt his team was too tired to continue. Aliy is still leading, but her lead is diminishing. Update: Jeff is only one minute behind Aliy at Koyuk.
Update: Jeff is a minute ahead out of Koyuk.

Beyond Koyuk
1 Jeff King (17)
2 Aliy Zirkle (10)
At Koyuk
3 Martin Buser (36)
4 Dallas Seavey (14)
5 Sonny Lindner (70)
6 Mitch Seavey (6)
7 Aaron Burmeister (23)
Beyond Shaktoolik
8 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (47)
9 Hugh Neff (61)
10 Kelly Maixner (13)
11 Ray Redington Jr (51)
12 Hans Gatt (58)
13 Robert Sørlie (22)
14 Jessie Royer (27)
At Shaktoolik
15 John Baker (53)
Beyond Unalakleet
16 Wade Marrs (67)
17 Michelle Phillips (15)
18 Peter Kaiser (43)
19 Richie Diehl (11)
20 Abbie West (69)^Q

The Mushers in bold are former winners of the Iditarod, while italics indicates Yukon Quest winners. The numbers in parentheses are their Bib numbers. The small “R” indicates a total rookie, while the small “Q” indicates an Iditarod rookie who has completed a Yukon Quest.

These are the official standings. That means they are official, not that they are correct. Things jump around a lot as people decide to update the standings. This problem is especially bad in the back of the pack, as no one bothers to update those standings when the lead is changing.

This post will be updated during the day, and the map changed on all posts to reflect the current situation.
All posts on the Iditarod can be seen by selecting “Iditarod” from the Category box on the right sidebar.