Teams are going into their 24-hour layovers now. The leaders came through McGrath last night bunched close together and went on to Takotna. They were led by Lance Mackey, but Jeff King, Kjetil Backen and Paul Gebhart are within minutes, allowing for the differing start times. Some are taking their long layovers in McGrath. Zack Steer is the first in of that batch. Mitch Seavey and Hugh Neff took some rest in McGrath and may press on beyond Takotna to Ophir, getting in some more miles while it’s cooler, as a big, wet, warm weather system rolls in with snow on the back side of the Alaska Range, slowing the race.
The forecast for the trail ahead calls for rain and snow into tonight. Temperatures may go above freezing. Already warm weather combined with logistical problems have taken Joe Garnie of Nome out of the race.
Be sure to listen to the attached audio update for the full report.
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Defending champion Lance Mackey has taken the lead in the Iditarod. He left the Nikolai checkpoint at 4:17 this afternoon. Norweigan Kjetil Backen was the first into Nikolai, and is still resting there. Gerry Willomitzer is currently in third place followed closely by Paul Gebhardt, Jeff King, Hans Gatt and Huff Neff. They are all at Nikolai.
David Shurtleff, APRN and Libby Casey, KUAC - McGrath
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Iditarod leaders were on the 75 miles between Rohn and Nikolai this morning — lots of them. Among the first ten reaching Rohn last night was Rick Swenson. He stayed for more rest than most. Some just checked in and kept going. Nenana veteran Aaron Burmeister says this is a point in the race where you can’t fall too far behind.
First into Rohn, with a two hour lead on Paul Gebhart, was Team Norway’s Kjetil Backen, back after a three-year absence.
Tonight the leaders will reach McGrath. Among the many who will be there to greet them on the Kuskokwim River will be former Iditarod musher Eep Anderson, now the proprietor of McGuire’s Tavern.
For our complete update, be sure to listen to the attached Iditarod audio report.
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Norweigan Kjetil Backen is in the lead of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. He blew through the Rainy Pass checkpoint at 1:21 p.m. this afternoon with 15 dogs. Rainy Pass is 180 miles into the race. Backen has placed as high as third in two past Iditarods as part of “Team Norway.” Also through Rainy Pass are Nenana’s Aaron Burmeister, Gerry Willomitzer of Whitehorse, and Paul Gebhardt of Kasilof. At last check 11 teams were resting at the checkpoint, including past champs Mitch Seavey and Jeff King, Sigrid Ekran of Norway, Ramey Smith, and DeeDee Jonrowe.
Libby Casey, APRN - Finger Lake
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It’s a very fast trail this year, and last year’s winner, Lance Mackey, was among the first into Skwentna after the restart in Willow. He and others took some rest there, as Jeff King and others came through, stopping briefly, and headed on. After winning the Yukon Quest yet again this year, will the fast trail work in Mackey’s favor?
Steve Heimel, APRN - Anchorage
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A record-breaking 96 mushing teams participated in yesterday’s ceremonial Iditarod start in Anchorage yesterday, touring the city from downtown to a suburban park at the foot of the Chugach mountains.
Today, 95 mushers are expected to launch their final Iditarod race teams from Willow, about 70 road miles northwest of Anchorage. GB Jones scratched out the race following the ceremonial start — his fourth scratch in six races since 2002 — citing illness.
For more on the race, be sure to listen to the attached report from our trail reporters Libby Casey and David Shurtleff.
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It’s Iditarod time, so this week we’re jumping into the Last Great Race — and some other things, too. Like the Junior Olympics in Anchorage, Kenyan acrobats in Dillingham, and the snowy slopes at Hatcher Pass. Plus, an axe-throwing bartender in Juneau who’s throwing in the towel. All that and more this week on AK, heard statewide on local APRN stations statewide.
Continue reading ‘AK: Iditarod (etc.)’
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The hours are ticking down until the start of Iditarod 36. Almost 100 mushers will line Anchorage’s Fourth Avenue on Saturday morning for the first steps on the trip to Nome. This year’s field of dog drivers is a mix of seasoned Iditarod trail veterans and newcomers with solid mushing experience.
Ellen Lockyer, APRN - Anchorage
The world’s longest human-powered winter race is underway in Alaska. The Iditarod Invitational started on Sunday at Knik Lake. 46 competitors are skiing, biking or walking the trail this year.
Lacie Grosvold, KUAC - Fairbanks
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