Teams poured into Unalakleet behind Wade Marrs. Nicolas Petit was three minutes behind, Mitch Seavey followed 15 minutes later and the last of the quartet was Dallas Seavey in at 16:45. This is a race folks and don’t count out any of the teams that are soon to close in on the Unalakleet checkpoint.
Nicolas Petit into UNK snacking his dogs
Of the 4-some, Nicolas Petit has fifteen dogs, Wade Marrs has 13 and Mitch and Dallas each have 12. Dallas made an interesting comment prior to the race. He said that Mitch had a better 16 dogs team than he did but he had a better nine-dog team than his dad has. Well part of that may be true in that Mitch drove 16 dogs into Huslia well ahead of Dallas. Neither team is down to nine dogs so the accuracy of Dallas’ statement remains to be tested.
Mitch Seavey into UNK for a Trio
Mitch us the only musher of the 4-some that has departed for Shaktoolik. Wade, Nicolas and Dallas are resting in Unalakleet. Jessie Royer, Ray Redington Jr, Aliy Zirkle, Matts Pettersson and Joar Leifseth Ulsom will soon join them in the checkpoint. Those teams are closing in on the Bering Sea. The run from Kaltag to Unalakleet can be brutally cold. Not this year. We won’t be seeing frosty mushers coming in tonight or tomorrow morning.
Dallas Seavey into UNK for a Quartet
Taking a look at the times from Kaltag to Unalakleet, Nicolas Petit has scored with a 9 hour 33 minute run (8.90 mph). Wade covered the distance in 10 hours 37 minutes (8.01 mph). With a rest, Mitch was here in 11 hours and 43 minutes (7.25 mph). Dallas also rested and made the distance in 12 hours flat at 7.08 mph.
The Crowd at Unalakleet Greets Dallas
The checkpoint is alive with activity. The Iditarod Air Force is back in the air moving personnel out to checkpoints. All mushers have departed Galena. All mushers have completed the required 24-hour layover. Now it’s possible to look at the stats and see who is in the lead. Right now, it’s Mitch Seavey. Believe me, Dallas is calculating his next move. He’s sitting right next to me in the UNK checkpoint doing some serious math in his head…
