Eye on the Trail: Siri Pics – Rohn to McGrath

Photographer Siri Raitto is out of Rainy Pass headed to Cripple via Iditarod Air Force.   The weather eased up in Rainy so  dogs and volunteers could be flown back to Anchorage.   Siri shares some photos taken along the way of Rohn and the trail to Nikolai.   See more Siri photos in the …

Dallas Seavey wins GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award

   Veteran musher Dallas Seavey  (bib #7), of Talkeetna, Alaska, is the first musher to reach the Cripple checkpoint, which is halfway point of the Northern Route in Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®.  Seavey  arrived at 8:09 p.m. with 15 dogs in harness.     By arriving first in Cripple, Seavey wins the Dorothy G. Page …

Eye on the Trail: Resting from McGrath to Ophir

Insider interviews with mushers today in McGrath has revealed a common thread – mashed potatoes.  If they had been talking about dinner that would have been a good thing but they weren’t.  The mushers were talking about the trail – soft trail that slowed teams down heading into Nikolai and again from Nikolai to McGrath.  …

Dallas Seavey penalized for Rule 34 infraction regarding dispatch of moose

  Iditarod Race Marshal, Warren Palfrey, convened a three-person panel comprised of race officials today to discuss (bib #7) Dallas Seavey’s encounter with a moose early Monday morning enroute from Skwentna to Finger Lake.  After further investigation, the details of the event are as follows:   A moose was dispatched approximately 14 miles from Skwentna on …

Eye on the Trail: Nikolai to Ophir

Nikolai to Ophir accurately describes the position of teams on the trail – EXCEPT, Dallas Seavey has departed Ophir for Cripple and is resting out of Ophir.  Maybe the extra/unplanned rest his dogs got while he dealt with the previously mentioned moose 14 miles beyond Skwentna set him up for a longer run to his …

Eye on the Trail: Winner Has Likely Reached Nikolai

It’s mid-afternoon on Tuesday.  While Insiders Greg Heister and Bruce Lee gave an update from Nikolai, they both agreed that the champion for 2024 would likely come from the group of 12 mushers that have reached Nikolai at this time.  Statistics from past races support that statement.  Time will tell but I did take a …

Eye on the Trail: Posild Wins Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award

As the first musher to arrive in Nikolai, Mille Porsild received the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award.  Mille, wearing bib #12 arrived in Nikolai at 09:09 on Tuesday March 5th with 14 dogs in harness. Mille received beaver fur musher’s mitts with beadwork on moose hide (handmade by Loretta Maillelle of McGrath), a …

Mille Porsild wins Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award

  Veteran musher Mille Porsild (bib #12), of Denmark  was the first musher to reach the Nikolai checkpoint at 9:09 a.m. today with 14 dogs in harness, winning the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award.  First presented in 2019 and given to the first musher to reach the McGrath checkpoint, this award will now …

Eye on the Trail: Rainy to Nikolai

Some teams have been checkpoint hoping and others have been trail camping.  It’s all about preference.  The only time a musher MUST stay in a checkpoint is for the mandatory rests.  The 24-hour rest is coming soon – probably between McGrath, Tokotna, Ophir and Cripple.  Then there is a required 8-hour rest on the Yukon …

Eye on the Trail: Siri Pics Rainy Pass

  Photographer Siri Raitto has landed on Puntilla Lake, more commonly known as Rainy Pass Checkpoint.  Teams have been on a steady climb since departing Skwentna.  The mountains surrounding Finger Lake give evidence of being “IN” the Alaska Range.  Visit the Iditarod Photo Gallery.  Enjoy this photo essay created with Siri Pics.      At …