to move to Alaska? Hmmm?
How about if it is FREE?
Aha! Got your attention. Read about it here – but you gotta be quick!
:moose:
Category Archive:Alaska
Five Six now in to Nome:
1. Lance Mackey, bib #13; 2. Paul Gebhardt, bib #10; 3. Zack Steer, bib #19; 4. Martin Buser, bib #19; 5. Jeff King, bib #31; 6. Ed Iten, bib #30.
Congratulations to all! Ed Iten is expected into Nome next. Follow the standings over at the official Iditarod 2007 site.
Short Stats fun:
So, I’ve been getting a lot of hits over in the Short Stats box. One of the hits was a question: “What does the r stand for next to the name of a musher in the Iditarod?” Short answer, folks. I hope you come back to find out. R stands for Rookie.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the musher is young in years, Rookie simply denotes the first time someone runs a particular race, in this case, the Iditarod.
I have a feeling, btw, that Lance Mackey is still celebrating. His dad made it to Nome – said that the pilot on his plane announced over the intercom that Lance was on Front Street and the passengers all cheered when he announced that Lance had crossed the Finish line. Dick Mackey was there in time to greet Paul Gebhardt as he crossed the finish line after 10 pm. Gebhardt’s win netted him $64,300.
And, lest you think that the money is a LOT (well, it is, but put it into terms) that is about what it takes to keep a kennel of dogs going for a year – training, feeding, caring, vet services, etc. This is a LIFE style, folks.
Anyway – hope you are all having a great day. I am finally starting to feel better. My left ear pops open most of the day – the right ear has begun to crackle and pop. I just may begin to hear again soon.
:moose:
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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!
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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:
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wowza!
There you go, Lo**. There’s my socks. I’m working on a pair that has a lot of purple in them now. 🙂
And, of course . . . this being Alaska . . . and this being winter . . . with lots of snow on the ground . . . OF COURSE . . . you have to wear them with sandals. You’ve gotta show them off, after all!
And, nope – my feet didn’t get cold at all. Nice and toasty warm.
Iditarod update:
Sadly, one dog has died. Karen Ramstead has pulled out of the race in order to mourn 6 1/2 year old Freckles who died on the trail and has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.