MARCH 10, 2020

MARCH 10, 2020

So many things have changed since yesterday. We went from a 27 degree sunny day on the warmer side of the Alaska Range--over Rainy pass and on the other side of the mountain it was a different story weather wise  -30 last night and the leaders have changed.

                                             

Evening at Rainy Pass

Flying over the Alaska Range

JESSIE ROYER is now in the lead in NIKOLAI. Followed by BRENT SASS, TRAVIS BEAL and PAIGE DROBRY. PAIGE was the last one to leave WILLOW and she is now in the top 4 . This is the time everyone is anticipating their 24 hour layover, which is mandatory. They have to figure when they would be leaving after their 24. If its in the daytime and its warm it is not so good for the dogs. They run slower and heat up quickly. Whereas for a night start, when it is usually much cooler, the dogs respond much better and are more lively. Many have encountered moose on the trail. PAI

GE DROBNY has a flare gun that usually does the trick to move the moose along and out of the way.  So far the trails have had a lot of snow and the weather has been to their liking (dogs and mushers).

  MARCH 9, 2020

FIRST FULL DAY OF THE RACE:

Few odds and ends: JEFF KING went to the dinner the night before the race and started having
severe abdominal pains. He was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery for a perforated intestine along with an incarcerated hernia. As he was already to race he chose 28 year old
SEAN UNDERWOOD to fill in for him. SEAN helped train the team and had been working
with JEFF so it made sense. JEFF is always a real contender so I'm sure its a big disappoinment for him but he is confident sending SEAN out with his team. GET BETTER JEFF!!

ZOYA DENURE withdrew from the race due to personal health reasons. This was before the race had started SO her husband a musher JOHN SCHANDEMEIER took over for her. Usually you can't substitute mushers BUT you can in case of emergency and approved by the Race Marshall and this was prior to the race start. GET BETTER ZOYA!

The head of the "pack" are now at RAINY PASS. The consensus is that there is so much snow the trip so far has been slow but uneventful and a "good ride". From WILLOW on they had 20" of new snow to deal with. LANCE MACKEY said the STEPS were even a little boring. USUALLY the STEPS are anything but boring. Quite a few moose have been on the trail which slows the teams down.

PETE KAISER was the first to RAINY PASS. Some will take a few hour rest here and enjoy this weather. No snow just sun and not too cold. BUT......they will prepare for going over the other side of the mountain where it is -20 degrees!!!

 MONICA ZAPPA leaving WILLOW

JESSIE ROYER (one of my favorites) taking with the Race Marshall

Leaving WILLOW with a big fan sendoff

Snowing hard in WILLOW!!

MARCH 8, 2020

OFFICIAL START OF THE IDITAROD 2020

The teams are now in WILLOW,AK for the beginning of the race. It is 23 degrees and snowing heavily--zero visibility. They predict a slow race due to all the snow on the trails.
The start seems so late 5PM EST but it is 2PM Alaska time. The reason for such a late start is that
ALL the dogs have to be checked by a VET. They have a complete physical and have to be deemed ready to race.
Lots of excitement in WILLOW with thousands of fans standing by.
Some of the favorites in the race are ALIY ZIRKLE who has run the race 8 times and is usually in the top 5-10. She is a real fan favorite, taking time to help others and always a smile on her face.
My favorite MARTIN BUSER--4 time winner of the race and all time good guy. Last year his son raced with him. I visited with Martin and his family at his home and saw his dog operation which was quite impressive.
PETE KEISER last years winner.
MITCH SEAVEY--3 time winner. His son DALLAS SEAVEY started racing the IDITAROD when he was 16 and has won 4 times. He is taking a year off and doing some interviewing etc for the race and will be back next year.
The BARRINGTON TWINS--They do well but have never won. They run together and always finish.
BRENT SASS--Many think he will win this year.
Oh I could go on and on but I will mention mushers as the race goes forward.

 ASS LEAD PILOT : coordinates IDITAROD Air Force pilots used to transport dogs and people.

 This is the amount of snow they are dealing with---WHEW

 This is the Northern Route they will take: VERY SNOWY this year

Cont'd March 7, 2020       IT TAKES A LOT OF VOLUNTEER MUSCLE

                           TO:  GET THE MUSHER BAGS READY TO BE SHIPPED TO CHECKPOINTS

                          MUSHERS PREPARE BAGS WITH EXTRA DOG FOOD AND THEIR FOOD
                                        AND EXTRA GEAR THEY MAY NEED ALONG THE TRAIL

JUST A NOTE:   GLAD YOU BE BACK was not a great way to start. Guess I didn't correct that piece. Let's start again
                                 GLAD TO BE BACK.  Thats better

MARCH 7, 2020  WELCOME TO IDITAROD 2020. GLAD YOU BE BACK.

Today is the Iditarod ceremonial start. It means just that. The teams are in Anchorage where
anyone can visit with them and the dogs before they load their sleds and hook up their dogs to travel, with an *Iditarod rider, about 7 miles out of Anchorage where they all meet. Then they travel to WILLOW, ALASKA about an hour and a half away. That will be the official start of the race tomorrow.
IDITAROD RIDER*  They hold an auction, a few weeks before the race, where people bid to ride with their favorite musher for that 7 mile ride out of town. The seat is to the highest bidder. Don't know why I never did that but maybe someday.

There are snow showers today with a temperature of 27 degrees. There is a lot of snow this year so there is worry about the moose on the trails.

Few facts about the race:
There are 58 mushers---14 women and 8 rookies
They are mostly from the US and also 3 from Norway, 5 from Canada and 1 from Denmark
They will take the Northern route this time. They alternate each year--northern to southern
Last year Pete Kaiser of Bethel, Alaska was the winner in 9 days 12 hours 9 min 2 sec.
One of the mushers is Jeremy Keller. A charicature of Jeremy was seen on the Discovery Channel
"The Edge of Alaska".
The Teacher on the Trail this year is KELLY VILLAR from Mansfield, Connecticut. She has been following the Iditarod for 20 years and has incorporated the history and legends in her classroom.
This program is a unique opportunity for one selected educator each year, to enter into a one year agreement to teach beyond the traditional classroom walls via internet and to be involved in a project that reaches students around the world.

There was a meet and greet last night where everyone could mingle.

                                                                       GOOD MEMORIES

 

March 5, 2020 getting ready for the Iditarod

MARCH 5, 2020

Don't know if anyone noticed but I didn't do my IDITAROD blog last year. I will come out from under the covers and do one this year.  Do hope I will have some viewers.  With all the turbulence going on in the country this is a peaceful, "clean" and wholesome way to see that life can be
enjoyable with a group of mushers that are all hands on and enjoying the beauty that Alaska provides with their wonderfully skillfull athletics (their dogs) that are such devoted companions.
Its a positive, enjoyable and beautiful trip for the next 2 weeks. It will begin this weekend.
See you Saturday March 7th.