Bruce Lee
An analysis of the statistics shows we have quite a dog race on our hands coming into this final chapter of the 2012 Iditarod. Dallas Seavey left Koyuk this morning with Aliy Zirkle in hot pursuit. It’s obvious that they are going to fight this out to the end. Both teams trotted out of the …
With the first four teams resting in Unalakleet we have a chance to observe the condition of their teams and the mental state of the mushers themselves. Most likely this year’s champion is sitting here right now. Aliy Zirkle’s team came into the checkpoint at a fast clip, seemed extremely fresh and alert and rather …
If you’re trying to figure out who has the strongest team and the best run/rest schedule of the top teams in this race you’re not alone. For the first time in quite a few years there are a number of teams right at the front of the race rather than one or two teams duking …
I just left Ruby where most of the teams are now taking their mandatory 8 hour break . If you aren’t familiar with the Iditarod rules, each team must take an eight hour break at the checkpoint of their choice, somewhere along the Yukon River. Two favorite places to take this break historically have been Ruby and Kaltag. This …
Covering a lot of miles of the Iditarod trail today, I started the morning at the Takotna checkpoint watching the front teams pull out after their 24 hour layover. All of the top teams without exception looked revved up to go and in great condition. Of particular notice were Mitch Seavey’s, Aliy Zirkles’s, Dallas Seavey’s, …
Teams were rolling into the Takotna checkpoint all night as the front runners hit this section of the Iditarod trail. Most have decided to declare their 24 hour layover here as this checkpoint is in an ideal location to benefit from a long rest.The teams have just come off of a long push from the …
We see that some of the teams have chosen to rest in Rohn and others have gone on through. These are two common strategies for running this next section of the trail. Some mushers chose to rest their dogs at the checkpoint where they have all the amenities provided at a check point, their food …
After the reports of deep snow on the first 150 miles of the Iditarod trail, the mushers were surprised to find excellent mushing conditions. The Alaska skies cleared, there were stars and bright moonlight and the temperature at Finger Lake checkpoint was 15 degrees below 0 fahrenheit as the mushers arrived. I saw the majority …
With the start of the Iditarod 2012 just over the horizon, I’m already being asked the question, “Who will most likely win this year’s race? Recent Iditarod history tells us the winner is likely within last year’s top 10 finishers. Seven out of those top ten are returning to this years Iditarod, John Baker, Ramey …
