March 18, 2009

• Iditarod Leaders Slowed By Weather

  

  Race officials had predicted that the winner would pass under the Burled Arch in Nome sometime late tonight or very early tomorrow.  That was before the teams at the front, on Norton Sound, were slowed down by high winds and blowing snow.  Some took shelter at a trailside cabin, others waited it out in a checkpoint.

  Lance Mackey was slowed somewhat, but still holds a significant lead.  He checked into White Mountain at 6:05 this evening.  There is a mandatory 8 hour layover in White Mountain for all teams.  Lance will be eligible to leave there at 2 AM.  Weather will have a lot to do with how long the run from there to Nome will take.  It’s probable that he will finish during daylight hours Wednesday.

  Sebastian Schnuelle and John Baker were checking out of Elim about half an hour before Mackey checked into White Mountain.  Their race will be for second place.  Schnuelle, the 2009 Yukon Quest Champion, has more dogs: 14, to Baker’s 10.  Schnuelle has competed in four previous Iditarods.  His best finish was tenth place in 2008.  John Baker’s Iditarod record is impressive:  thirteen finishes, nine of them in the top ten, and $365,432.78 total prize winnings.  His best finish was third place, in 2002.

  The race for fourth place looks like it is between Jessie Royer’s team of thirteen dogs, Aaron Burmeister’s ten, Dallas Seavey’s ten, and Mitch Seavey and his eleven, who all left Koyuk within half an hour of each other around 8 PM today.  Jessie has been leading the women for a few days.  Today, Dallas, who had been moving up slowly and steadily, passed his father, 2004 Champion Mitch.

  The number of teams on the trail is down to 58.  Chad Lindner, in 37th position, currently leads the rookies.  Dr. Tim: Timothy Hunt, DVM, is the current Red Lantern (in last place).  Dallas Seavey’s wife, rookie Jen Seavey, still has all sixteen of her pups in training, currently in Grayling in 54th position.  

  • 12:59 am
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