Tibby's Blog: MARCH 11, 2021 MCGRATH-OPHIR-IDITAROD

MARCH 11, 2021

Today the teams will be in MCGRATH, OPHIR and IDITAROD.

GUNNAR JOHNSON has been withdrawn in MCGRATH where he tested positive for COVID. He is asymptomatic and didn't come in close contact with race personnel or community members. He did not enter any buildings or community spaces in MCGRATH.

AS of 1pm EST the standings: BRENT SASS, AARON PECK and MILLE PORSILD all in IDITAROD. MILLE has had her 8 hour layover and the other two neither.

The rest of the pack: DALLAS SEAVEY, TRAVIS BEALS, JESSIE ROYER, JOAR ULSOM are all in OPHIR.

22 teams are in OPHIR everyone else is in MCGRATH.

AT 8pm Alaska time last night the temperature started going down in MCGRATH and the winds started picking up. The temp was predicted to go down to -20--25 tonight. Good for the dogs!!

MCGRATH is a popular checkpoint and 30 of the teams took their 24 hour layover here. Hank and I spent a few days here and loved it. We stayed in a "home" with many others and in the am a moose was looking in the window. There was a lot of snow that year and very cold. They had a grocery store which was fun to explore and a cafe (very upscale for a native village). They had great sandwiches, coffee and internet!! We did spend time there.

I didn't realize they do have a TEACHER ON THE TRAIL for the IDITAROD. He is JIM DEPREZ teaching 3 grade in OHIO. He is the 23rd IDITAROD TEACHER . He grew up in Central MASS. went to school in OHIO and enjoys the outdoors and sports. He and his wife have 2 daughters. His wife is also a Teacher. This year is quite different. Jim will NOT be on the trail but behind the computer in his classroom. This is a wonderful program for students. The curriculum involves math, science, social studies,reading, geography, care of dogs and the excitement of the race. One year the Teacher on the Trail had his students help build the sled he would be using, pack his bags etc. He even had them come to ANCHORAGE for the beginning of the race. These students are from all over the world. This is now possible with all the technology we have.

BRENT SASS of EUREKA (I told you this was a very remote part of Alaska) won the DOROTHY G PAGE (no relation to Helen!!) being the first to reach the halfway point of IDITAROD. The award was made of Alaska birch and marble with a photo of Page - considered the "MOTHER OF THE IDITAROD".