Iditarod Update #22 - Sunday Morning Survivors

The final 3 teams have the finish in sight, as the persevering teams continuously finish.

Over the last 36 hours, Art Church, Jr, William Pinkham, twins sisters Anna and Kristy Berington, Justin Savidis, Travis Cooper. Jaimee Kinzer, Matt Failor, Hank Debruin and Karen Ramstead have all finished, rounding out the Top 50.

Dan Seavey has just reached Safety, and should finish this morning.

Bob Chlupach and Jan Steves can leave White Mountain a little after noon today, for the 10 – 12 hour run to Nome.

Nice job by all these teams to carry on to the finish!

UNOFFICIAL CURRENT STANDINGS as of 6:30am AKDT/10:30am EDT
(Based on tracker data and Official Standings):

FINISHED
1. Dallas Seavey (34)
2. Aliy Zirkle (14)
3. Ramey Smyth (21)
4. Aaron Burmeister (44)
5. Peter Kaiser (28)
6. Ray Redington Jr (2)
7. Mitch Seavey (35)
8. Michael Williams, Jr (51)
9. John Baker (11)
10. DeeDee Jonrowe (17)
11. Sigrid Ekran (24)
12. Ken Anderson (39)
13. Brent Sass (50) {R}
14. Sonny Lindner (59)
15. Paul Gebhardt (25)
16. Michelle Phillips (26)
17. Hugh Neff (27)
18. Rohn Buser (62)
19. Martin Buser (41)
20. Gerald Sousa (58)
21. Colleen Robertia (42)
22. Lance Mackey (18)
23. Jodi Bailey (6)
24. Cim Smyth (8)
25. Ed Stielstra (45)
26. Anjanette Steer (32) {R}
27. Braxton Peterson (63) {R}
28. Kelley Griffin (20)
29. Nicolas Petit (9)
30. Rick Swenson (60)
31. Ryne Olson (46) {R}
32. Kelly Maixner (12)
33. Jim Lanier (3)
34. Mike Santos (22) {R}
35. Bruce Linton (36)
36. Karin Hendrickson (43)
37. Matt Giblin (52)
38. Trent Herbst (16)
39. Scott Janssen (37)
40. Curt Perano (61) {R}
41. Art Church, Jr (64)
42. William Pinkham (4)
43. Anna Berington, (33) {R}
44. Kristy Berington (31)
45. Justin Savidis (38)
46. Travis Cooper (19) {R}
47. Jaimee Kinzer (30) {R}
48. Matt Failor (57) {R}
49. Hank Debruin (48) {R}
50. Karen Ramstead (56)

On the Trail to Nome
51. Dan Seavey (65)

In White Mountain
52. Bob Chlupach (49)
53. Jan Steves (40) {R}

Scratched
Michael Suprenant (13)
Kirk Barnum (47)
Tom Thurston (5)
Gerry Willomitzer (23)
Josh Cadzow (55) {R}
Jeff King (10)
Pat Moon (15) {R}
Jake Berkowitz (29)
Lachlan Clarke (66)
Zoya DeNure (53)
Wade Marrs (7)
Ryan Redington (67)
Silvia Furtwängler (54) {R}


Bib Numbers (X)
Rookie {R}

Iditarod Update #7 - Wednesday Afternoon Patience

Situation Will Clear Up over the next 24 Hours

Where do the teams stand in relation to each other? It’s going to be a while until that gets settled!

With teams taking their mandatory 24-hour rest at different checkpoints, the actual standings do not reflect where the teams are in relation to the racing time. Until every team has taken their 24, a glance at the leaderboard or GPS doesn’t paint the picture. And even if one could sit down and calculate the timings, things on the Iditarod Trail have a way of constantly changing.

So, the situation as it seems at this moment:
Martin Buser and his son, Rohn, blew through Takotna and ended up in Ophir, likely to take their 24.

Meanwhile, teams are piling up in Takotna, many of which are presumably taking their 24. Aliy Zirkle was the first musher in, at 11:30pm AKT. However, with the time-differential, she’ll stay in the checkpoint 25:44. Mitch Seavey and John Baker arrived at 12:09am simultaneously, but Baker will stay 25:50 and Seavey 25:02. Therefore, Mitch can leave at 1:11am, Aliy at 1:14am and John at 1:59am.

So, by tomorrow morning everything will be different! Expect a few more teams to pass through Takotna and push even farther down the trail. This strategy can make or break a race, and is fascinating to watch it unfold!

The back of the pack is moving right along, with Silvia Furtwängler, Jan Steves, Bob Chlupach and Dan Seavey working their way toward Nikolai.

Besides the Buser Boys traveling together, the Berington Twins have been together the entire race, and are in McGrath.

Dallas Seavey is 14 minutes behind his dad, Mitch, with the time makeup.

And while Ryan Redington is far behind his brother, Ray will have to stay an extra 2 hours and 12 minutes beyond the 24 that his brother will.

The Rookies will also adjust, so Brent Sass, Josh Cadzow, Anjanette Steer, Braxton Peterson, Curt Perano and Mike Santos will have their positions known tomorrow as well.

Race fans must have patience...

UNOFFICIAL CURRENT STANDINGS as of 3:00pm AKST/7:00pmm ET
(Based on tracker data and Official Standings):

In Ophir
1. Martin Buser (41)
2. Rohn Buser (62)

In Takotna
3. Aliy Zirkle (14)
4. John Baker (11)
5. Mitch Seavey (35)
6. Jeff King (10)
7. Dallas Seavey (34)
8. Ray Redington Jr (2)
9. Paul Gebhardt (25)
10. Hugh Neff (27)
11. Aaron Burmeister (44)
12. Sonny Lindner (59)
13. Gerry Willomitzer (23)
14. DeeDee Jonrowe (17)
15. Michelle Phillips (26)
16. Peter Kaiser (28)
17. Jake Berkowitz (29)
18. Rick Swenson (60)
19. Cim Smyth (8)
20. Tom Thurston (5)
21. Sigrid Ekran (24)
22. Brent Sass (50) {R}
23. Ramey Smyth (21)
24. Michael Williams, Jr (51)
25. Ken Anderson (39)
26. Josh Cadzow (55) {R}
27. Jodi Bailey (6)
28. Bruce Linton (36)
29. Wade Marrs (7)
30. Anjanette Steer (32) {R}
31. Lance Mackey (18)
32. Kelley Griffin (20)
33. Nicolas Petit (9)
34. Colleen Robertia (42)
35. Ryan Redington (67)
36. Ed Stielstra (45)
37. Curt Perano (61) {R}
38. Mike Santos (22) {R}
39. William Pinkham (4)
40. Ryne Olson (46) {R}

On the Trail to Takotna
41. Scott Janssen (37)
42. Jim Lanier (3)
43. Lachlan Clarke (66)
44. Karin Hendrickson (43)
45. Trent Herbst (16)

In McGrath
46. Gerald Sousa (58)
47. Justin Savidis (38)
48. Braxton Peterson (63) {R}
49. Zoya DeNure (53)

On the Trail to McGrath
50. Anna Berington, (33) {R}
51. Kristy Berington (31)
52. Pat Moon (15) {R}
53. Matt Giblin (52)
54. Hank Debruin (48) {R}
55. Travis Cooper (19) {R}
56. Karen Ramstead (56)
57. Art Church, Jr (64)
58. Michael Suprenant (13)

In Nikolai
59. Kelly Maixner (12)
60. Jaimee Kinzer (30) {R}
61. Kirk Barnum (47)
62. Matt Failor (57) {R}

On the Trail to Nikolai
63. Silvia Furtwängler (54) {R}
64. Jan Steves (40) {R}
65. Bob Chlupach (49)
66. Dan Seavey (65)

Bib Numbers (X)
Rookie {R}

Yukon Quest Update #23

Final two still on the move.

Marcelle Fressineau and current Red Lantern Michael Telpin have both left Carmacks and are on the way to Braeburn, about 30 miles apart. They both should arrive there on Sunday.

Standings as of 7:30am ET:

Finished
1 Hugh Neff (6)
2 Allen Moore (1)
3 Lance Mackey (16)
4 Jake Berkowitz (13) (R)
5 Brent Sass (10)
6 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (17) (R)
7 Sonny Lindner (3)
8 Abbie West (21)
9 Kristy Berington (2) (R)
10 Dave Dalton (4)
11 Kyla Durham (7)
12 Trent Herbst (22) (R)
13 Gus Guenther (20) (R)
14 Paige Drobny (12) (R)
15 Yuka Honda (19) (R)
16 Brian Wilmshurst (11) (R)
17 Misha Pedersen (5) (R)

On the trail to Braeburn
18 Marcelle Fressineau (15) (R)
19 Michael Telpin (24) (R)

Scratched:
Nikolay Ettyne (14) (R)
Maren Bradley (23) (R)
Jason Weitzel (9) (R)
Mike Ellis (18)

Withdrawn:
Kurt Reich (8) (R)

Yukon Quest Update #22

And then there were two…

Shortly after midnight local time in Whitehorse, Brian Wilmshurst became the 16th musher to cross the finish line. Misha Pedersen followed an hour later.

Marcelle Fressineau is past the McCabe Creek Dog Drop and heading towards the Carmacks checkpoint.

Current Red Lantern Michael Telpin has left Pelly Crossing, and is moving toward McCabe Creek.

Standings as of 7:30am ET:

Finished
1 Hugh Neff (6)
2 Allen Moore (1)
3 Lance Mackey (16)
4 Jake Berkowitz (13) (R)
5 Brent Sass (10)
6 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (17) (R)
7 Sonny Lindner (3)
8 Abbie West (21)
9 Kristy Berington (2) (R)
10 Dave Dalton (4)
11 Kyla Durham (7)
12 Trent Herbst (22) (R)
13 Gus Guenther (20) (R)
14 Paige Drobny (12) (R)
15 Yuka Honda (19) (R)
16 Brian Wilmshurst (11) (R)
17 Misha Pedersen (5) (R)

On the trail to Carmacks
18 Marcelle Fressineau (15) (R)

On the trail to McCabe Creek
19 Michael Telpin (24) (R)

Scratched:
Nikolay Ettyne (14) (R)
Maren Bradley (23) (R)
Jason Weitzel (9) (R)
Mike Ellis (18)

Withdrawn:
Kurt Reich (8) (R)

Yukon Quest Update #21

Lost musher found!

OK, he wasn’t lost at all – simply, his location was unknown for over 36 hours! Russian musher Michael Telpin pulled in to the Stepping Stone Hospitality stop, his team looking good, before noon local time, much to the joy of Quest fans around the world.

Trent Herbst crossed the finish line in 12th place in the early morning hours.

Several hours later, Gus Guenther finished, followed by Paige Drobny 20 minutes behind.

Yuka Honda crossed the line this afternoon, smiling about her 15ht place finish, and collecting the final piece of the purse.

Brian Wilmshurst and Misha Pedersen should arrive sometime overnight, with Marcelle Fressineau in Pelly Crossing, and current Red Lantern holder Michael Telpin approaching.

Unofficial Standings as of 7:30pm ET:

Finished
1 Allen Moore (1)
2 Hugh Neff (6)
3 Lance Mackey (16)
4 Jake Berkowitz (13) (R)
5 Brent Sass (10)
6 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (17) (R)
7 Sonny Lindner (3)
8 Abbie West (21)
9 Kristy Berington (2) (R)
10 Dave Dalton (4)
11 Kyla Durham (7)
12 Trent Herbst (22) (R)
13 Gus Guenther (20) (R)
14 Paige Drobny (12) (R)
15 Yuka Honda (19) (R)

On the way to Whitehorse
16 Brian Wilmshurst (11) (R)
17 Misha Pedersen (5) (R)

On the trail to Pelly Crossing
18 Marcelle Fressineau (15) (R)
19 Michael Telpin (24) (R)

Scratched:
Nikolay Ettyne (14) (R)
Maren Bradley (23) (R)
Jason Weitzel (9) (R)
Mike Ellis (18)

Withdrawn:
Kurt Reich (8) (R)

Yukon Quest Update #20

The Top Ten are in!

Dave Dalton finished in 10th place, with 12 dogs. Arriving last evening, it was his 17th finish in the Quest.

A few hours later, Kyla Durham crossed the finish line. She was running a puppy team from Brent Sass.

Trent Herbst waited 3 hours to leave Braeburn and avoid the heat of the afternoon. He should be finishing in an hour or so.

He was followed a couple of hours later by Gus Guenther and Paige Drobny, who appear to be resting about halfway to Whitehorse.

Yuka Honda left Braeburn shortly before midnight local time.

Brian Wilmshurst and Misha Pedersen both arrived in Braeburn before midnight for their mandatory 8 hour rest, and will be able to leave in a couple of hours.

Marcelle Fressineau is shown to be on the move, having passed the Stepping Stone Hospitality stop, on the way towards Pelly Crossing. Not known at this time if the stop was manned or not.

Still no word on Michael Telpin’s whereabouts. Information on these two will be announced as soon as available.

Unofficial Standings as of 7:30am ET:

Finished
1 Allen Moore (1)
2 Hugh Neff (6)
3 Lance Mackey (16)
4 Jake Berkowitz (13) (R)
5 Brent Sass (10)
6 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (17) (R)
7 Sonny Lindner (3)
8 Abbie West (21)
9 Kristy Berington (2) (R)
10 Dave Dalton (4)
11 Kyla Durham (7)

On the way to Whitehorse
12 Trent Herbst (22) (R)
13 Gus Guenther (20) (R)
14 Paige Drobny (12) (R)
15 Yuka Honda (19) (R)

In Braeburn
16 Brian Wilmshurst (11) (R)
17 Misha Pedersen (5) (R)

On the trail to Pelly Crossing
18 Marcelle Fressineau (15) (R)
19 Michael Telpin (24) (R)

Scratched:
Nikolay Ettyne (14) (R)
Maren Bradley (23) (R)
Jason Weitzel (9) (R)
Mike Ellis (18)

Withdrawn:
Kurt Reich (8) (R)

Yukon Quest Update #19

The beat goes on – teams steadily march towards the finish line.

Abbie West and Kristy Berington finished in 8th and 9th place this morning.

Dave Dalton is tantalizingly close to rounding out the Top Ten.

Kyla Durham is twenty miles behind Dave.

Trent Herbst should be on his way to Whitehorse, waiting for confirmation.

Gus Guenther and Paige Drobny will leave Braeburn nearly together later this evening, and Yuka Honda shortly before midnight local time.

Brian Wilmshurst, followed by Misha Pedersen, are on the way to Braeburn.

Marcelle Fressineau has stopped between Scroggie Creek and Stepping Stone.

Michael Telpin’s whereabouts are unknown at this time. Information on these two will be announced as soon as available.

Unofficial Standings as of 6:30pm ET:

Finished
1 Allen Moore (1)
2 Hugh Neff (6)
3 Lance Mackey (16)
4 Jake Berkowitz (13) (R)
5 Brent Sass (10)
6 Joar Leifseth Ulsom (17) (R)
7 Sonny Lindner (3)
8 Abbie West (21)
9 Kristy Berington (2) (R)

On the way to Whitehorse
10 Dave Dalton (4)
11 Kyla Durham (7)

In Braeburn
12 Trent Herbst (22) (R)
13 Gus Guenther (20) (R)
14 Paige Drobny (12) (R)
15 Yuka Honda (19) (R)

On the way to Braeburn
16 Brian Wilmshurst (11) (R)
17 Misha Pedersen (5) (R)

On the trail to Pelly Crossing
18 Marcelle Fressineau (15) (R)
19 Michael Telpin (24) (R)

Scratched:
Nikolay Ettyne (14) (R)
Maren Bradley (23) (R)
Jason Weitzel (9) (R)
Mike Ellis (18)

Withdrawn:
Kurt Reich (8) (R)