Mitch Seavey’s dog “bug” rests at the Nikolai checkpoint during the 2018 Iditarod race on Tuesday March 06, 2018.
Photo by Jeff Schultz/SchultzPhoto.com (C) 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Hi Boys and Girls,

Yesterday’s question of the day was: Jesse Holmes is currently in first place.  Is he really in first place?

 So who’s in first?  At this point in the race, we are not sure of everyone’s correct position.  This is a little confusing so your teachers or parents can help you understand. The reason for this is how everyone starts the race.  The teams leave the start line in 2 minute intervals.  The first team leaves right at 2:00 pm AST, the second team leaves at 2:02pm AST, the third at 2:04pm ASK.  This continues until the last team leaves.  This year that was at 4:12 pm AST, two hours and 12 minutes after the first team.  This puts all teams that go after the first team at a disadvantage.  It’s called the time differential.  To even the teams times, the time differential is made up at the 24 hour mandatory rest.  While it is called the 24 hour, only the last team to leave the starting line stays for exactly 24 hours.  The next to last starting team stays for 24 hours and 2 minutes.  The first musher who left the starting line will take 26 hours and 12 minutes for their 24 hour rest. Once everyone has completed the 24 hour rest, we’ll know the exact position all mushers are in. You could figure it out now but that would take a lot of time.  So just wait. We’ll know soon.

Today’s Question is:  What is a mandatory rest?  How many are there and how long are they?  Where are they taken?

That’s it for today.  I need to get some rest so I can follow the race again tomorrow. 

See you on the trail,

Gypsy