Few tidbits before we start: Last night when STEVE and TARA were withdrawn from the race (all explained yesterday) they were in UNALAKLEET. The people of UNALAKLEET decided that these two dedicated racers deserved a "finishers" (even though it was early) banquet in their honor.
Well they had it last night and all went well. Thank you UNALAKLEET community. You're the best. Nothing holds STEVE and TARA back from continuing on. There won't be anyone at the checkpoints etc and I understand that they are back on the trail. I don't know more than that.
Today another happening:
JIM LANIER had been reported sick on the trail but he was still traveling. Before he reached the SAFETY checkpoint SCOTT JANSSEN came upon JIM and stayed with him. They had requested emergency assistance due to the weather conditions at the area known as the "Blowhole". A search team was immediately notified and then a plan was put in place to safely extract both dog teams and both mushers. Both race teams are currently being mushed to NOME. JIM and SCOTT arrived by helicopter and are now with their loved ones in NOME. ALSO, a step back,
JESSIE ROYER, was at SAFETY this morning at the time of the notificatioin. She was asked to go out for a welfare check and she was able to transport JIM and SCOTT back to the SAFETY checkpoint by snowmachine. They then were helicoptered to NOME.
JIM LANIER had 13 dogs in his teams and SCOTT JANSSEN had 11 dogs in his team at the time they scratched.
This is a prime example of mushers taking care of one another---a family!!
Speaking of the "Blowhole", an area between WHITE MOUNTAIN and SAFETY
LEV SHVARTS , after coming in 41st, was tearyeyed speaking of his travel through this area.He said it was -10 degree with 70 MPH winds!!! I think he just couldn't believe he actually came through it.
At the moment 10 PM EST there are
7 rookies in a row from WHITE MOUNTAIN to ELIM, although last place MAGNUS KALTENBORN is a vetern and still in ELIM.
LARRY DAUGHERTY came in 40th. He is a radiation oncologiest physician at the Alaska Hospital Center in Anchorage. In past years, as well as this year, he has prayer flags on his sled honoring cancer patients.
NOTE: PAUL GEBHARDT a well known musher to all has been diagnosed with brain cancer. He finished the race in 2017 and later that year was the diagnosis. Prayers for you PAUL.
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