Daily Archives: March 13, 2007

9 days, 5 hours, 8 minutes, 41 seconds.

Lance Mackey crossed under the burled arch at 8:08 tonight, March 13th, sporting bib number 13.

That is the same bib number his father, Dick Mackey (14 days plus) wore when he beat Rick Swenson by ONE SECOND in the 1978 Iditarod.

That is the same bib number his brother, Rick Mackey wore when HE won the Iditarod in 1983. (12 days plus)

Emotions are raging – Lance has shed many tears – there have been many hugs – and there will be a BEEEEG PARTAY tonight in Nome. Sadly, his dad was not able to be at the Finish line as they had hoped. He is in the air on an AK Airlines jet which was delayed for some reason. They expect him to join the family soon.

At the finish line – brother Rick, wife Tonya, mom, Kathy and many others – Nome residents, camera crews from many places, lots of well-wishers. Probably the best well-known well-wisher was Alaska’s governor. Mackey’s lack of sleep was apparent when KTUU reporter Meg Baldino told him that he had a phone call from the Governor.

“Hello, Sir?” he said and was a bit embarrassed to be reminded that Sarah Palin is now our governor. “Oh, yeah, I met her.” Sarah didn’t miss a beat and just congratulated him enthusiastically.

$69,000 and a new truck! That’s the prize for first place.

Congratulations, Lance Mackey! You’ve done us proud and in grand fashion. Alaska born and raised – overcomer of cancer (throat) – winner of TWO huge races in the same season – wow! You are an inspiration. Now, go on out there and make us proud of you – be a good leader and a great example to our kids and grandkids. Thanks!

 

It’s now 6:40 and Lance Mackey is expected to cross the Finish line in Nome within the next hour or so. He is down to 9 dogs – had to leave Zorro, a beloved leader, behind in White Mountain because he is suspected to have pneumonia.

This will be an historical win – should all hold true – as Mackey will be the first musher to have won both the Yukon Quest AND the Iditarod in the same year – with the same team! More power to him and I hope he enjoys the new ride waiting for him in Nome. 

I will publish this and then leave it open – will come back and give you the official finish time when I have savored the end of the run along with Mackey – albeit long distance from Kenai.

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Okay, folks, we are THIS close to the Finish line of the Iditarod trail. At least, for the top competitors, that is.

Lance Mackey and Paul Gebhardt are both in White Mountain where each musher in the race MUST take an eight hour layover. This rests the dogs, rests the mushers, and gives them their final push to Nome. Mushers have only 77 miles left to the finish line.

Mackey can leave at 9:38 a.m. and Gebhardt can leave at noon:16.

Mackey’s dogs are running (at least between the last two checkpoints) at just over 6 mph. At that speed, and with 8 hours of rest, they COULD reach Nome around 9:30 – 10 p.m. tonight. That is, if Mackey’s team leaves right away after his 8. And, given his past performance at the layovers and checkpoints, he likely will.

According to Jeff King, it is Mackey’s race to lose.

You’ve gotta admire those young pups.

Kinda sad for Gebhardt, though. His top finish in the past is 2nd. Looks like he, barring anything happening to Mackey, will settle for 2nd again.

HowEVER, things happen. I think it was when Riddles won, or maybe it was Butcher (can’t remember) – whoever it was (and it was a female) scooted through ahead and through a storm between the last two checkpoints and “stole” the race that year.

Lots of things can happen in 77 miles.

My best to all of the competitors. You won’t find ME out there on that trail!

:moose: