Iditarod

Eye on the Trail: St. Patrick’s Day – Page 2

“One year Later,” is what Gerhardt Thiart repeated numerous times as he shook hands in the chute this afternoon on Front Street.  Bridgett Watkins likely had the same thought on her mind as she followed Thiart by 8 minutes to the arch. They were only 60 miles from Nome last year when winds through the …

Eye on the Trail: St. Patrick’s Day – Page 1

As of today, New Hampshire Musher, Bailey Vitello, can add Iditarod to his very impressive list of completed races.  Bailey  was the first musher to make Nome on St. Patrick’s day at 07:49.  Sun wasn’t up yet but somewhere in Nome the traditional meal of corned beef  and cabbage was likely being prepared.  On his …

Eye on the Trail: Thursday – Page 2

Kristy and Anna Berington finished Iditarod 2023 sixteen seconds apart.  Nothing new there.  The twins have run Iditarod together ever since the Northern route of 2012.  They’ve stood under the burled arch together in all but one of the races they’ve run since then.  In 2018, newly married Kristy, her husband Andy Pohl and Anna …

Eye on the Trail: Thursday – Page 1

Nicolas Petit made the arch in 17th place with a time of 10 days, 10 hours and 9 minutes.  Petit was born in France, raised in New Mexico and now has his kennel in Big Lake, Alaska.  He’s started Iditarod twelve times and has finished nine.  His best finish to date, was runner-up behind Dallas …

Eye on the Trail: Wednesday Finishers – Page 2

In total, nine mushers made the burled arch on Wednesday March 15th.  Mushers arriving later in the day experienced less wind between White Mountain and Nome than those arriving earlier.  But Mother Nature didn’t spare them.  These teams experienced the winds along the coast from Koyuk to White Mountain.   Dan Kaduce made Nome in …

Eye on the Trail: Wednesday Finishers – Page 1

The fire siren sounded shortly after mid-night on March 15th announcing the arrival of Matthew Failor.  Matthew is new to the top ten with this 8th place finish in 9 days 9 hours and 20 minutes.  He took the trail with the goal of a top ten finish and was exceptionally happy in the chute …

Eye on the Trail: Tuesday Finishers

Before diving into all the activity  on Front Street in Nome, there is news from the back of the pack.  Eric Kelly is the fourth musher to scratch from Iditarod 2023.  Kelly decided to scratch in Shaktoolik saying it was the best decision for his dogs.  Eric had 10 dogs in harness when he scratched, …

Veteran musher Eric Kelly scratches at Shaktoolik checkpoint

March 15, 2023   Veteran musher Eric Kelly scratches at Shaktoolik checkpoint Veteran musher Eric Kelly (bib #17), of Knik, Alaska,  scratched at 12:50 a.m. today at the Shaktoolik checkpoint which was in the best interest of his team.   Eric had 10 dogs in harness when he scratched, all in good health.

Eye on the Trail: Ryan Redington 51st Champion

It’s taken fifty-one races for the Joe Redington Trophy to come home to the Redington family.  Today, Ryan Redington, age 40, accomplished what he’s been dreaming about since his childhood.  Likely his father Raymie has been dreaming of doing just that since the inception of the race.  Perhaps the late Joe, Sr and Raymie’s brother …

Ryan Redington wins his first Iditarod championship in 51st Running of the race

  March 14, 2023   Ryan Redington wins his first Iditarod championship in 51st Running of the race The Grandson of the ‘Father of the Iditarod’ is the Champion of the 2023 Iditarod Veteran musher Ryan Redington  (bib #5), of Knik, Alaska, crossed  the finish line of the 51st  running of the Iditarod in Nome …