Matthew Failor picked up his son Theo somewhere along Front Street and carried him into the chute to the finish line behind 7 dogs. Failor finished the Ultra-Iditarod in 12 days, 7 hours and 37 minutes to earn 11thplace. Matthew ran his first Iditarod in 2012 with a team of Buser puppies. He’s completed 13 out of 14 starts with his best finish of 8th coming in 2023. That is his only top ten finish.
Matthew took his 24-hour back in Tanana after the soft snow and sand storm created some soreness for his dogs. Beyond the early challenges, Matt said the Yukon river was trying due to the ice jumble, blowing snow and colder weather. The wind was a definite factor between Shaktoolik and Koyuk for Matthew and most of the other mushers.
Baby number two is on the way for the Failors and Liz chose to do a gender reveal under the arch. Matthew and Theo opened a small nicely wrapped box which contained a pair of hand knit booties – BLUE booties. Theo will soon have a little brother to share all his dog chores with! As the announcer said, there have been engagements, citizenship oaths and even weddings under the arch but this is the first gender reveal.
Nicolas Petit followed Failor into the chute to claim 12th place. Petit’s first start was in 2011 behind a team of Jim Lanier Northern Whites. Then until he could afford his own team he raced with Raymie Redington dogs. Nic has 14 starts and 11 finishes with the best coming in 2018 at second place. Petit has finished in the top ten six times. Today Nic brought 11 dogs down front street and finished in 12 days, 7 hours and 51 minutes.
Nic’s dogs stood wagging their tails and were very animated during the mandatory gear check. Petit said he had Shooby in the team who’s done 9 Iditarods and 4 two year olds. The river was a huge challenge for Petit along with figuring out the right runner plastic. Petit took his 24 hour layover in Kaltag south.
Petit has won the Fastest Safety to Nome award five times. His fastest run was 2 hour and 9 minutes in 2018. He earned the award in 2023 making the 22 miles in 2 hours and 12 minutes and again in 2024 with a time of 2 hour 18 minutes. Nic’s time from Safety to Nome today was 2 hours and 44 minutes. Guess what folks? Travis Beals also covered the distance in 2 hours and 44 minutes. Perhaps someone will edge them out with a faster time or we’ll see how the award sponsor, the Nome Kennel Club, decides to break the tie.
There will be a flurry of activity all night and throughout tomorrow on Front Street as mushers make the finish line in time to attends the Finisher’s banquet.
