Hi Boys and Girls,

John Baker crossed the finish line today at 9:46 Alaskan time with 11 dogs.  This is John’s first Iditarod Championship.  He completed the race in 8 days, 18 hours and 46 minutes.  This is a new record.  Congratulations to John and his team.

TIME:  13:16 Alaskan time

FINISHERS SINCE LAST UPDATE: #1 John Baker, #2 Ramey Smyth.

NEXT 5: #3 Hans Gatt has left Safety, #4 Dallas Seavey, #5 Hugh Neff, #6 Sebastian Schnuelle, and #7 Ray Redington Jr have all left White Mountain.  All 5 should be finishing the race shortly.

WHERE ARE THE MUSHERS: The teams are spread out from just before Nome to Kris Hoffman who has left Grayling.

WEATHER: The weather this year has been amazing.  I haven’t heard of any major storms this year.  The weather in Nome is 8 degrees and clear, White Mountain is 18 degrees and clear, Elim and Koyuk are 14 degrees and clear, Unalakleet is 7 degrees and clear.

SCRATCHED:

Brennan Norden scratched in Shageluk based on the well being of his team, and their ability to continue on up the trail.

Mike Santos scratched in Unalakleet based on the well being of his team

FAN COMMENT/QUESTION:  I’m tracking mushers in my 5th grade class. We’ve been doing it for quite some time now. I think he just might be the first to finish this race, if he is closer than any other musher. Don’t forget, as my library teacher told me… The race is not over until everyone finishes!!!! What a race

This Library teacher is correct.  Just because the winner has crossed the finish line does not mean the race is over.  There are still 47 mushers out on the trail.  Every finish is important.  So please keep following the race until the red lantern winner crosses the finish line.

Until tomorrow,

Gypsy