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.Â
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:
Nana Moosie- it was Riddles that did that and became the first woman to win-
We never hear about the Iditarod down here! When I lived up there I watched every single minute that was on tv! I LOVE that race!