MARCH 11th IDITAROD

MARCH 11, 2018

ROBERT REDINGTON scratched in SHAGELUK after such a long run and completing his 8 hour layover and his 24 hour. He said it was in the best interest of his team. He had 11 dogs when he scratched.

As of 2PM EST race standings are:

17 mushers in KALTAG
l. NIC PETIT
2. JOAR ULSOM
3. MITCH SEAVEY
4. RICHIE DIEHL
5. PETER KAISER
6. RAY REDINGTON JR.

13. ALIY ZIRKLE

32 mushers in GRAYLING
21. MARTIN BUSER
33. JEFF KING
37. JIM LANIER
49. SHAYNEE TRASKA

7 mushers in ANVIK
3 mushers in SHAGELUK
3    "          in IDITAROD

COMMENTS FROM THE MUSHERS:

NIC PETIT'S dogs were really pulling to get going. He seems to be pushing them and staying in first but he says the dogs are still anxious to get going.
MITCH SEAVEY says he's on his schedule and is in KALTAG at the moment. He stressed "you have to get rest to do well and stay on top". I believe he was referring to NIC who is pushing hard and not getting much rest.
JOAR ULSOM was in Kaltag and preparing for the long 7 hour run to UNALAKLEET.

WEATHER REPORTS:
ANVIK: 5 degrees and cloudy
GRAYLING/EAGLE ISLAND:
5 degrees and cloudy--snow expected tonight and tomorrow
UNALAKLEET: 7 degrees with snow on Mon and Mon night

FACT: At times it is difficult for the mushers to stay awake. Some play music, learn Spanish, count dog booties or play the harmonica. Whatever works.....

TEACHER ON THE TRAIL: One of the goals of the program is to capture young minds to learn with games, videos, hands on activities, fun facts all through the Iditarod experience.
They have Iditarod Bingo, "field trips" to the vet before the race, videos with interviews from the mushers, "meeting" the dogs in ZUMA PAWS to mention a few. MARTIN BUSER is very instrumental in teaching kids thru actual field trips and on the video's. One girl mentioned a math puzzle from MARTIN : if you divide the distance by time you will get the average miles per hour the team is going.
There are projects  for ex, math and science creating excitment and a hands on feel for the students.
Another example was in 2011 when TRENT HERBST ran the IDITAROD. When he wasn't a musher he was a 4th grade teacher in Idaho. His 4th grade helped build his sled. They actually came to the start of the race to cheer for their teacher and his dogs.
This IDITAROD EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS A LESSON IN SUCCESS!!!