Tues 10AM—Zirkle accelerates in lead to NIKOLAI—Finger Lake Tent comes Down  by Joe Runyan, 1989 Iditarod Champ

Aliy Zirkle’s push to the front into Nikolai has given my pundits new found fodder, a virtual plethora of possibilities, for rumination.  Personally, I love this part of the race, the posturing that is required to be placed for the possibility—not the certainty— of a play that could win the race.

A theme is developing.   Aliy has forged to the front in many Iditarods and she is known to have swift, but more dimunitive huskies.  In the past, that luster has faded as the race progresses, so the true Iditarod student wonders if she can sustain her team’s momentum.   OK, that’s a very interesting contingency as she and team sit resting in Nikolai, looking backwards to her pursuers.

Meanwhile, John Baker, the titular leader of the Iditarod, the 2011 champion, is in his normal position of pursuit.  Characteristically, he is not interested in assuming the lead until after the 24 hour break.   The reason is relatively simple.  He is in that camp of mushers, which could include Hugh Neff and lance MaCKEY, that believe in a steady pace.  In the mushing world, it’s a foregone conclusion that a well trained team for 300 miles will always beat an Iditarod team, even a c hampionship team.

Therefore, appreciate that John doesn’t expect to be faster in the first third  of the race since his team is trained more methodically.  He rarely allows, or even expects his dog to alternately lope in training, although they are quite capable of  it.   So, its no surprise that we often see teams surging to the front with exhibitions of speed, but quietly fade into the pack.   To be a real race fan, you have to appreciate the genius and training that is required to keep a team at a MODERATE speed and to discourage dramatic surges in the early going.

Now,  Lance and Hugh are big problems for everybody.  As Hugh put it so succinctly and graphically at the start of the race.  “We will hunt down and find anyone to the front.”  The two know how to do  it.  They may not win, but they wont let anyone get away without effort, which includes sleepless days and constant anxiety.

Tent comes down in Finger Lake

Population 21, including volunteers, vets, your writer, and comm people are now evacuating.  A small community is closing, the “Tents are coming down.”

tent comes down in finge lake. note the magnificent crew at work