Maggie, following the Iditarod?

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:16 pm

I'd bet on it, right?

This is amazing, Doug Swingley and Dee Dee Jonrowe have both scratched! There is no snow on the trail this year which is making it treacherous especially for the more experienced mushers with fast teams.

Just have to share this, thought you would appreciate it with your experience with sled dogs and the race.

I had some very interesting house guests staying here 4 days prior to Sundays start. A young rookie musher named Jeff Wells, his girlfriend/handler and 20 sled dogs! They both work for Jeff King who was last years winner, I think he's won 4 times. Anyway, the team he is running are Kings yearlings so he's not in the race to win, just take his time and get the dogs to Nome.

It was so facinating having them as houseguests, talking about his training and dog mushing. His parents and siblings were staying in Anchorage but spent quite a bit of time here as well. They flew out to be volunteers on the trail. What's also interesting, is this young man grew up in Fergus Falls Minnesota which is where we are moving soon. His parents still live there and Mom is a teacher at the middle school Alanna will be attending next year. Small world isn't it?

I got a few photos which I'll post later in the picture forum.

Here's Jeff Wells Blog
http://wellsiditarod2007.blogspot.com/

Here's a link to the offical Iditarod site
http://www.iditarod.com/

GO DOGS GO!! Sure hope Jeff makes it to Nome. I see hes running in last place, but that's okay.

Love,
Joanna

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:11 pm

You bet I am. Following it on line and so happy to see Mackey in 1st place and hope he did get Bib 13. Also such a soft spot in my heart for Buser and glad to see he is in 6th. I really thought the trail this year would be packed after the couple of big storms earlier but you can just never tell with this race.

If Jeff is in last place he still gets a trophy at the end. Heard that Dee Dee and Doug both scratched and the absence of trail cover is going to make more scratches. I will bet for the highest scratch ratio in history.

I cannot believe it has been 21 years since I worked the race. Can't wait to see the pics and the dogs are such luvs.

Love, Maggie

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:46 pm

Maggie,

Martin is now in first place (I like him too) and Lance is second. Yes, Lance got bib 13.

We did have a few big storms this winter with lot's of snow so I was surprised that the trail isn't in better shape too. Experienced mushers are quoting they have never seen it this treacherous. For mushers like Swingley and Dee Dee to scratch this soon is incredible- bad luck too. Lot's of them are checking into Rainy Pass with broken bones and busted up sleds.

I will bet for the highest scratch ratio in history

You might be right, as of now 10 mushers have scratched and it's only day 3 of the race. Out of those 10 only 2 are rookies. This may be the most challenging race conditions we have seen in the history of this race, or at least as long as I've been following it and of coarse, weather conditions will play a part as well.

Anyone seeing local/national coverage on your televisions or newspapers on this race? A friend of mine is a writer for AP and is traveling checkpoint to checkpoint with a photographer and pumping out stories which she says are being picked up.

I find the official Iditarod website is accurate and up to date- easy to follow. Geezzz this race intrigues me so....

GO DOGS GO!

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:10 am

Morning Joanna,

Have not checked in yet but did want to say that I have picked up no coverage at all in this area and for that I thank heavens for the internet. It gives me the coverage I want.

Off to check up on the race. I really do wish they would move the race to late January or February. Historically March is great but weather would sure help the mushers and especially the dogs.

Love, Maggie

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:05 am

Morning Maggie,

Here's the lastest update as I'm heading to bed shortly, thought you would like to see how it compares to what happens thoughout the day Thursday. Alot of strong players- Lance is doing well, folks think Martin has the fastest team. As you know, anything can happen.

http://www.iditarod.com/

The lack of snow is a real problem this year but from what I'm hearing these teams are going at breakneck speeds which complicates accidents waiting to happen in the dangerous areas.

What a race. Jeff Wells is hanging in there! Watch out for Sorlie? Fun following this with you.

Love,
Joanna

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:21 am

Morning Joanna,

Great to see Mackey in first to Iditarod and got the placer gold and would love to know you gave him the new runner after his broke. Watched the video of the pilor tracking the musher and his team through the blizzard. Gotta hand it to the ones who are pushing on.

First year I have not gotten a race pin so I gotta get to the website and order one.

Wonder what today will bring since the 24 hour layover I think is now and that can make or break the race.

Hope your snow last night made it to the course.

Love, Maggie

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:15 am

Hi Maggie,

What a race, Mackey is pushing on for sure. He's tough and has a great team.

Here is the standing as of 9pm Alaska time. Notice out of the top 10, as of now only King, Buser and Zack have taken their 24 layover.

http://www.iditarod.com/

Our snow last night didn't amount to much. Looks like you had 33"? That's enough to disrupt driving around here for a few hours. The mushers and dogs on the trail would like to have seen that today.

What a race.. fun following it with you.

Love,
Joanna

JJ · Post by JJ » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:10 am

OK...I am a dweeb...how do they run the race without snow? Surely they don't put wheels on the sleds...

JJ

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:21 am

Morning Joanna,

It was 3" not 33" - and me a typist for a living.

Just checked and am very pleased with the standings because right now Martin is in 1st and Mackey 2nd. May not be able to keep up with you this weekend on the race but will try my best.

JJ - They run the sleds with runners and not wheels. Creates many challenges, spills and broken runners but that is the way it is done.

GO MARTIN!!

Love, Maggie

JJ · Post by JJ » Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:51 am

Hi....I've seen the sleds on TV (very cool)....just can't believe the dogs can pull the weight of the driver/sled on bare ground with no snow....certainly there has to be some snow to hold the race, right? JJ

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:05 am

Hi JJ,

It is held snow or no snow. If memory serves me correctly, they have never cancelled. Tough on the dogs but they live to PULL.

LOve, Maggie

JJ · Post by JJ » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:54 pm

Whoa.......amazing......thanks for the explanation.

JJ

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:06 am

What a race...

Martins in first, King in second and here is the latest

http://www.iditarod.com/

Got an fun e-mail from my friend on the trail who was in Anvik, (I think) and having dinner in a community hall with Martin, King and the front runners. If your interested you can google" iditarod pemberton" and read what stories on the trail she is writing for the associated press.

JJ, be sure to look at the links if your interested in learning about this race and dog mushing in general.

Maggie, it's fun following this with you. Not to worry if your busy this weekend, I'll still post updates.

Martin is looking strong but King is not far behind. It's anyones race at this point. Jeff Wells is still on the trail!

Love,
Joanna

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:12 am

Morning Joanna,

I am getting the daily race updates sent to me and if your friend is Kim ?, I am following her stories from the trail. They come linked to the daily update. Well King & Martin both have 4 wins and they are desperate to get that elusive 5th. It appears that they are picking up a bit more snow now that they have gotten to the Yukon River.

Fun following this with you too.

Love, Maggie