DAY #5 FRI. MARCH 10, 2023 SHAGELUK/ANVIK/GRAYLING/EAGLE ISLAND
I am so sorry I neglected to give you the above pertinent information. You can follow on the map above. These are the checkpoints for the race. Everyone MUST stop here to check in. They can decide to stay or keep going--their choice. Next picture: the checkpoints and the distance between them. Next: at 11pm EST these are the standings. The orange outline means they are leaving that checkpoint and going on to the next.
Still no storms in site, no wind, clear and getting a little colder.
JESSIE HOLMES said the trail from SHAGELUK to ANVIK was smooth and a good ride at his 7.77 mph. NIC PETIT did those 25 miles at a speed of 6.79 mph. Arriving behind them HOLMES, PETIT and BRENT SASS (at 7.77 mph). BRENT went through to GRAYLING a distance of 18 miles. PETE KAISER also arrived in ANVIK.
You may wonder how the teams find their way. The trail breakers (on snowmobiles) put reflective poles on the trails. They also pack the snow down with their machines. Problem can be that during a storm or high winds they (don't usually)can fall over etc. BUT as amazing as it may seem, the dogs can smell the trail. Perhaps it's the smell of the dogs ahead of them? Many times during storms, where the musher can't see ahead, the dogs seem to be able to find their way--the amazing athletics that they are.
JESSIE HOLMES was the first to arrive in ANIK--the gateway to the Yukon--. His award for being first was a 5 course meal prepared by Marx Bros Cafe Executive Chef JACK AMON.
The 5 course meal was: lobster bisque garnished with king crab and creme fraiche, Caesar salad, filet mignon with mistake mushrooms, asparagus, mashed Yukon gold potatoes and JAXK AMOM'S famous cheesecake (JESSIE'S favorite!! and he said MUCH BETTER than Costco's). He had dinner with an Elder from ANIK.
GREGG VITELLO is resting in OPHIR. BRENT SASS is on his way to GRAYLING. The teams are spread out over 170 miles with the greatest number running between IDITAROD and ANVIK.
In ANVIK the top teams begin to separate from the rest of the pack. There usually is a lot of leap frogging. When one rests, another pulls ahead and so on.
I always find it interesting what jobs these mushers have other than dog mushing.
KELLY MAIXNER is a Pediatric Dentist and lives in South Dakota.
RICHIE DIEHL is a carpenter who went to the University of Alaska in Anchorage. I'll list others as I find out their information.
NIC PETIT did his 24 hour rest in NIKOLAI which put him quite far behind. Everyone wondered why he would do that so early and would it put him way behind. He is a seasoned veteran and you have to realize he does know what he's doing. SURPRISE--he came into ANVIK in SECOND PLACE looking really good! Everyone has their own strategies!!
I have to admit, I don't think the race has been very exciting like past years. Perhaps no weather to deal with, the top 5 to 10 seem to always be the same mushers, the heat? May be that after taking their 24 hour rest and perhaps their other 8 hour rest THE RACE IS ON!! Hope so. Usually the Yukon presents some obstacles of its own and the weather gets cooler. We'll see!! GOOD MUSHING...till tomorrow.
Again, I will post photo's on another page.
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