March 9, 2011

  • Iditarod Report 2011/3

    Latest update at Iditarod.com shows Robert Nelson out of Takotna in first position with 13 dogs, Kelley Griffin 14 minutes behind him in 2nd with 11 dogs.  That means virtually nothing.  Neither of them has taken the mandatory 24 hour layover.

    Between 8:16 last night and 7:40 this morning, 29 other teams have reached Takotna, where most if not all of them will be taking their 24s, enjoying Jan Newton’s world famous pies and cheeseburgers.  Takotna is generally the mushers’ favorite layover checkpoint, and the hospitality is the main reason.

    First into Takotna was Martin Buser with 15 dogs.  Within the next 2 hours, 7 more teams arrived:  Lance Mackey (12 dogs), Sebastian Schnuelle (14), Hugh Neff (13), Ray Redington Jr., Mitch Seavey (13), Robert Bundtzen (14) and Hans Gatt (14).

    Jessica Hendricks and Paul Gebhardt scratched in Nikolai yesterday, bringing the number of scratches thus far this year to four.  The back of the pack, Red Lantern position is held by rookie Bob Storey, 65, from New Zealand, who has been in Rainy Pass since before 7 PM yesterday.  He will have to finish the race, however, to win the Red Lantern trophy (and finish in last place)  Unless he picks up the pace a bit, or scratches, he is likely to be withdrawn by officials for inability to keep up with the pack.  Teams are not allowed an infinite period of time to cover the trail.  [UPDATE:  Bob Storey scratched at Rainy Pass.]

    If you would like more in-depth info, discussion forums, etc., go HERE for many links.  The best official info on the trail itself, including Don Bowers’s marvelous insider’s trail notes for mushers, can be found here.

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