MARCH 3, 2014

FIRST FULL DAY ON THE TRAIL:

My favorite Musher is Martin Buser--been to his kennel, talked with him etc. and he is a past winner and an all around good guy. HE IS IN THE LEAD so far!! He is right now 7pm (EST) out of ROHN (188 miles under his belt) and on to NIKOLAI--This is a very rough part of the trail.
He is really pushing along with two others behind him. Not the usual suspects though. They will catch up!! Martin had this stragedy before, to be lead in the beginning and it proved well for him then. His team got sick and he had some problems after that so he didn't win but did well anyway. The trail gradually deteriorates as each musher stands on the brake and rips out the snow base so the first mushers have the advantage of a better groomed trail, the rear of the pack can have a disadvantage. Happy to see Newton Marshall, from Jamaica, racing. He is fun, energetic, nice guy--funny to see a Jamaican running dogs in the cold Arctic.
Will also follow Hans Gatt #58. I remember him a few years ago in the dog lot in Nome, after the race.
He was SO WONDERFUL with his dogs. He took them out on the frozen Bering Sea every day, loose, to run around. They howled when they heard him coming.
For those book clabbers from Mass, Mike Santos #68 is from Massachusetts. Don't know where, don't think North Adams though.
Just hope everyone gets to Nikolai safely. Then it will get colder and it looks like a little snow is falling.