Mitch 1st to White Mountain at 05:11 AM
Mitch Seavey arrived White Mountain at 05:11AM with lead dog Tanner in command of the trail. Mitch was subdued after what must have been another exhausting night on the trail. After a discussion about how to park the ten dogs on the river ice so he would be near the straw bales and still have a short walk back up the hill to the checkpoint, he requested the media “give him a little space to work with the dogs.” Later, he would be willing to give an interview.
14 minutes later Aliy arrived with a briskly trotting team and her trademark cheery attitude. The two leaders are virtually in a tie just 77 miles from the finish. Basically, Mitch was a little staid and Aliy was a chatty morning person in a room full of people wanting for their first cup of coffee. Someone in the crowd said, ”Aliy looks more energetic and I bet on her.” But, then a retort, “Well, Mitch came in ahead even if he is a little grumpy.” But, mathematical minds pointed out that she had gained on Mitch to the tune of 35 minutes. Momentum goes to Zirkle.
At any rate, the 77 mile trail to Nome is not a victory lap for the leader. Instead, it promises to be a race down to the finish. An hour behind, Jeff King should be in third. An hour is a long ways out at this stage of the race, but we have seen so many changes to the front in this race, no one would be surprised if he suddenl y re-invented himself.
Competitive spirit and the thrill of sports notwithstanding, mushers understand the race to the finish is just plain hard work with all the attendant emotions of being passed in the last miles of a race. Aliy and Mitch know they must plan ahead for the last run which will include a gut busting climb up Topkok hill and a long excursion on a beach trail to Nome. Some have said that the emotion of being passed in the last miles of a race is so much more intense than winning, there is no comparison to the two sensations. Mitch does not want to be passed. Aliy, driven by the prospect of another near miss at a championship, is determined and persistent.
Aliy and Mitch have none of the normal luxury of mushers at this point who are locked into a placing. They both are hustling to bed the dogs down, feed, check feet, and pack for the last run. THEN, they can climb the hill to the checkpoint and get two or three hours deep sleep.
The checker and volunteers go to the porch looking for the light of Jeff King, about an hour out?
