MARCH 18th SKWENTNA - DESHKA LANDING

 MARCH 18TH SKWENTNA - DESHKA LANDING (FINISH)

I have waited till midnight EST to report as most of the remaining teams were doing an 8 hour layover in SKWENTNA so no action. I watched the others (all but two left) come in to the finish. Families were there to greet them and cheer for them as the public wasn't allowed. Everyone had a COVID test when they finished. 

CHAD STODDARD --ROOKIE OF THE YEAR--came in 23rd. He won $2,000 and his name on a trophy that will live in the IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS.

Watched MARTIN BUSER come in 27th. It looked like DEEDEE JONDROW was there to welcome him? Not sure. He said in OPHIR he got so cold. His fingers turned white (Raynaud's Syndrome) and he was very afraid about that. Had to stay and warm his hands for about an extra 4 hours. 

HAL HANSON was interviewed by LIZ in SKWENTNA although he has finished. He didn't want it to be over. He said he could have just gone on!!This was his first IDITAROD. He had all male dogs, 2 year olds. They did get a virus (stomach) and he got sick but they were well enough to go on and felt fine by SKWENTNA. LIZ was telling him everyone usually gets an IDITAROD belt buckle when they finish and this year they would get a GOLD LOOP TRAIL ONE. 

SEAN UNDERWOOD came in and was cheered on as of his experience last year. If you are interested you can check the story from last year. He didn't finish last year but HE DID THIS YEAR and everyone was cheering for him. 

LARRY DAUGHERTY was interviewed by LIZ in SKWENTNA and seemed the most relaxed of the mushers. He is a RADIATION ONCOLOGIST and still has time to train and race. Good for him. He said the SKWENTNA SWEETIES were wonderful hostesses. He said wouldn't it be great to spend his 24 hours here next year!!!! He also said after the turnaround, coming back was a lot more fun due to all the fresh snow. He was worried about THE GORGE, STEPS etc and said it was wonderful and so picturesque. The Alaska Range was magnificent. He also had problems losing things...he forgot his hat and parka and had to turn around on the ice and go back for it!!! He also lost his phone. Someone DID find it but it had been run over many many times. No phone meant no books on tape, no music and no text to his wife to say he was ok. He didn't seem too frantic about it just laughed at his "misplaced" items. When he came in to the finish it looked like AARON BURMEISTER was there to greet him???? Not sure about that. 

WILL TROSHYNSKI (r) came in to the finish. He said it was getting too warm. He is from FAIRBANKS and the dogs are used to colder weather. He thought the Alaska Range was magnificent, especially on the way back. He said he has ADHD so he stopped at every checkpoint packing and unpacking his bags!!!

There are only 2 mushers left DAKOTA SCHLOSSER (r) and VICTORIA HARDWICK. They have left SKWENTNA. It takes about 7-8 hours to get to DESHKA LANDING from there. Not sure where they are now. Seems like their numbers are the same and maybe they are travelling together. Would be fun to see both of them win the RED LANTERN AWARD (last in). 

SEAN UNDERWOOD AT THE FINISH

MARTIN BUSER AT THE FINISH

DOGS STILL READY TO GO