Time is 11:30 EST and 7:30 Alaska time: Right now in NOME that blizzard they were talking
about seems to have materialized. The temperature is in the 20's but the wind and the snow have created nearly zero visability. I heard that the weather started to change into this about 40 miles from NOME. The mushers that are already in NOME lucked out and didn't have to go through these blizzard conditions.
QUINCE MOUNTAIN (from MOUNTAIN, WISCONSIN!!) was falling too far behind and was alone and a very big storm was due in so the race marshall withdrew him from the race according to the IDITAROD rule #34 regarding competitiveness. He didn't want to leave but it was the race marshall's decision. And then there were 42!!
After crossing under the burled arch in NOME the mushers were asked what a highlight of the trip was. MICHELLE PHILLIPS said coming over RAINY PASS suddenly in front of them was a clear sky and a bright full moon. She said it was a beautiful sight.
MILLE PORSLID won the ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD. Her hightlights were coming into
the small communities. They were so enthusiastic and hospitable. She also said the bright full moon around RAINY PASS was breathtaking. DEEDEE JONDROW gave her a big hug when she arrived in NOME. MILLE had a big following. She seems to be well liked.
JEFF DEETER seemed like such a nice guy when he interviewed in NOME. He thanked two other mushers for helping him in the beginning of the race. His dogs didn't like the food he packed so they exchanged it for some of their dog food and JEFF'S dogs gobbled it up. He talked about the comaraderie among the mushing community.
They talked about the "blow hole" and how calm it was this year. I think it was JEFF KING last year that had problems there that took 1st place from him.
They also said the temperature changes have been intense. From - 52 outside of MCGRATH to
+45 in SHAKTOOLIK.
checkpoints
All the pictures below are THOMAS WAERNER coming in FIRST to NOME-the crowd cheering etc
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