Daily Update 6

Shaynee Traska dogs are alert at the Takotna checkpoint on Thursday, March 8th during the 2018 Iditarod Sled Dog Race — Alaska
Photo by Jeff Schultz/SchultzPhoto.com (C) 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

Hi Boys and Girls,

Almost all the 24 hour rests are completed.  Have you noticed any changes in positions?  There have been some.  Are you surprised by any of them?  Many teams have reached the halfway point of Iditarod and are approaching the Yukon.  The back of the pack are completing their 24 hour rests in McGrath and Takotna.  I think things are going to get very interesting now!

Kristie Berington runs up the river bank in the afternoon and into the Takotna checkpoint during the 2018 Iditarod race on Wednesday March 07, 2018.
Photo by Jeff Schultz/SchultzPhoto.com (C) 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERV

Volunteers Nell Huffman and Susan Smith check in Andy Farquar in the afternoon at the Takotna checkpoint during the 2018 Iditarod race on Wednesday March 07, 2018.
Photo by Jeff Schultz/SchultzPhoto.com (C) 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All top teams have finished their 24 hour rests.  Look at the top 5 mushers, there’s a couple of new names on this list.  Currently the top 5 are:

Nicolas Petit in Anvik

Mitch Seavey in Shageluk

Joar Leifseth Ulsom   in Shageluk

Peter Kaiser out of Iditarod

Richie Diehl out of Iditarod

The Red Lantern Position is: (another change)

Tom Schonberger in McGrath taking his 24 hour

The Rookie of the Year position is: (still another change)

Matt Hall is in 17th position and has left Iditarod  (24 hour is completed)

Scratched:

No one. 

Awards:

The Lakefront Anchorage 1st Musher to the Yukon Award is given to the first musher to reach Anvik.  This was awarded to Nicolas Petit.  The award consists of a 5 course meal prepared by the Lakefront Anchorage executive chef Roberto Sidro.  Nicolas also received an “After Dinner Mint” of $3,500 in one-dollar bills presented on a commemorative Alaska Gold Pan.

 

I am going to stay glued to the race updates.  How is your musher doing? How did their position in the race change after they completed their 24 hour? The above photo is from Julian Schroder. Thanks again to Julian and Jeff for sharing their photos with us.

See you on the trail,

Gypsy