Day #3 IDITAROD MARCH 8, 2023 WED. NIKOLAI/MCGRATH/TAKOTNA/OPHIR

 Day #3 IDITAROD MARCH 8, 2023 WED. NIKOLAI/MCGRATH/TAKOTNA/OPHIR

Sorry about yesterdays video's. Thought I had it licked!! Still working on it. I'm early tonight. As of 6:30 PM EST standings are:

WADE MARRS

JESSIE HOLMES

BRENT SASS                      TOP FOUR IN OPHIR--RYAN IN TAKOTNA

AARON PECK

RYAN REDINGTON

We are seeing names change as many are now taking their mandatory 24 hour layover. I did say TAKOTNA is a popular place to do that. Great food and good atmosphere. 

Speeds of these tops five range from 7 to 8 mph. 

2 teams are in NIKOLAI 

10 teams are in MCGRATH

16 teams are in TAKOTNA

4 teams are in OPHIR

Some interviews by GREG HEISLER and BRUCE LEE:

    In TAKOTNA: all they talk about are the pies. I remember making a few of those. I guess if you've been out in the weather and working hard ANY?? pie can taste good. 

BRUCE LEE ran the IDITAROD so he has great insight into the race. He did say racing has changed since he had been in it in 1992. There now is a world of information and experience. These teams are faster, more efficient making use of hands on experience of previous mushers. Technology has been improved dramatically. When BRUCE ran the race there was no ceremonial start and restart in WILLOW. You started your count in ANCHORAGE. He said it was very hectic and after reassessing the situation, they decided to do it like it is today Ceremonial start one day then restart in WILLOW the next day. This works out so much better. 

RYAN REDINGTON was interviewed in TAKOTNA by GREG and BRUCE: Said the warm weather suits him and his team just fine. They train in the warm weather and are used to it. The ONLY team I heard say that!! He has 12 GOOD dogs right now and he is having fun. Today they were fed beef steaks, chicken last night and horse meat and kibbles. They are eating well and that's important. RYAN'S family has been in the race since the beginning so he is this next generation. Wishing him well. He will now switch sleds to a lighter one. They usually change with weather conditions --lighter for the colder weather and harder packed snow. Heavier for the reverse. 

DEKE NAAKGEBORE: Took a break in MCGRATH and will do his 24 in OPHIR. His dogs are used to the COLD weather with heavy coats so they fry in this hot weather. He has to keep them hydrated, resting during the warm days and run at night when it's cooler. Most of the mushers are doing just that.

KELLY MAIXNER: His dogs were so hyped up and strong coming into MCGRATH he had to try to slow them down and kept his break on for quite some time. His dogs DO NOT like running in the heat.

 We are talking, weather wise,  in the 40's today in most of the places then the clouds came and it is snow/rain in  TAKOTNA. It looked more like snow in the video's. 

BRIDGETT WATKINS (my pick) was talking with GREG and BRUCE in TAKOTNA. She has been taking it conservatively and resting the team a bit. Into NIKOLAI they had a very slow run taking a long time. She has a good team. They like to eat, which again is a good sign, to keep good weight. The heat is not in her favor--she calculated 45 degrees !! yikes!! and her snacks melted!!! She is also very conscious of keeping her dogs hydrated.

I have some pictures I will put on another page. I won't bore you with my inability to print the video's. I am going to seek some help with that tomorrow.