Nicolas Petit comes into McGrath on March 5 at 15:17.

At 15:17 Tuesday afternoon, Nicolas Petit made the McGrath Checkpoint.  On hand to greet Petit and present the inaugural Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award was Marshal Carter, AAT Flight Operations Manager and Jennifer Vanderpool of Hotel McGrath.  Nic received a pair of beaver mitts handcrafted by McGrath resident Loretta Maillelle, as well as a musher hat made by McGrath resident Rosalie Egrass.

Marshall Carter of Alaska Air Transit shows off the Beaver Mitts and Hat

Alaska Air Transit is a new sponsor to the Iditarod for 2019, offering crucial flight support to the communities of the upper Kuskokwim region and Prince William Sound from Anchorage. “We feel fortunate to have a place at this table, to share in the circle of positive energy and the sense of community and caring that the Iditarod brings. The Iditarod reminds us of the spirit of friendly competition, and above all, compassion for each other and for these amazing athletes, the dogs,” said Josie Breeding Owen of Alaska Air Transit’s Anchorage office.

Nicolas said, “These are nicer than the ones I have in my sled,” then he tucked them into his sled bag.

Nicolas was clearly grateful for both the beaver mitts and the hat.  As he held them in his hands he remarked, “These are beautiful and certainly nicer than the ones I have in my sled bag.”  Nic immediately tucked the new mitts and hat safely into the bag for colder weather along this trail and future trails.

Nic said the trail in from Nicolai was good.  He also mentioned that a moose ran parallel with the team a short distance along the trail, but the dogs won.

Arriving at 15:17, Petit becomes the earliest musher ever to arrive in the McGrath checkpoint. Sponsors, villagers and volunteers waited along the riverbank to welcome Petit.  Back in 2014, Aliy Zirkle arrived at 16:53. 

Nic has departed McGrath and is on the trail to Takotna.  The question is, where will he park for his 24 hour layover.