IDITAROD: Special Coverage from APRN

Lance Mackey and Ken Anderson are fighting for the lead in the Yukon Quest. Defending champion Mackey left the checkpoint of Eagle this morning at 7:10 a.m., followed just one minute later by Anderson. Anderson’s a Quest rookie, but he’s an experienced Iditarod racer, and he’s gotten guidance about the Quest trail from veteran mushers including his wife, Gwen Holdmann, who last ran the Quest in 2004. Mackey and Anderson should arrive at the next checkpoint of Dawson City tomorrow.

Dan Bross and Libby Casey, KUAC - Fairbanks

Fairbanks rookie Ken Anderson leapt into the lead in the Yukon Quest. Anderson left the Yukon River checkpoint of Circle at 12:55 p.m. today, stopping his team for just a half hour, long enough to gather supplies. He was followed out of Circle one minute later by returning champion Lance Mackey who had parked his team there for 4.5 hours. Meanwhile, Wisconsin rookie Don Smidt was removed from the race for failing to effectively care for his dogs on the trail.

Libby Casey and Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks

Members of the Yukon Quest community gathered in Fairbanks last night to share memories of the race they helped start 25 years ago.

Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks

While the main event is still a week away, junior Yukon Quest teams hit the trail tomorrow. The shorter 135 mile race is for mushers between 14 and 17 years old. The field includes 7 mushers, from Fairbanks, Anchorage, Wasilla, Talkeetna and Ft. Yukon.

Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks