Iditarod Update #3 - In Ophir

The race frontrunners have reached Ophir, where the trail splits into Northern and Southern routes. This year, being an odd number, the trail turns South towards the race namesake of Iditarod, where some will take their mandatory 24.

Jake Berkowitz and Nicolas Petit were the first to arrive in Ophir, with Sonny Lindner and Lance Mackey on their way in. The next group is in Takotna, possibly taking their 24. The back of the pack are all out of Rohn, with Newton Mashall, Cindy Abbott and Gerald Sousa camped along the trail outside of Rohn.

Ed Stielstra scratched after the ceremonial start, as he suffered head injuries while training at his home in Michigan. And last years' hero, the 'Mushing Mortician' Scott Janssen scratched at Rainey Pass, as he was concerned for the attitude of his dogs.

Unofficial Standings as of 9:30am ET (based on trackers and checkpoint reports)

In Ophir

1.     Jake Berkowitz (44)

2.     Nicolas Petit (16)

On the trail to Ophir

3.     Sonny Lindner (67)

4.     Lance Mackey (5)

In Takotna

5.     Aaron Burmeister (24)

6.     Aliy Zirkle (27)

7.     Mitch Seavey (36)

8.     Jessie Royer (30)

9.     Peter Kaiser (10)

10. DeeDee Jonrowe (28)

11. Dallas Seavey (19)

12. Paul Gebhardt (11)

13. Ray Redington Jr (52)

14. Joar Leifseth Ulsom (32) {R}

15. Michelle Phillips (7)

16. Ken Anderson (6)

17. Jeff King (18)

18. John Baker (13)

19. Cim Smyth (51)

20. Gerry Willomitzer (21)

21. Brent Sass (62)

22. Kelley Griffin (9)

23. Ramey Smyth (38)

On the trail to Takotna

24. Mike Williams, Sr. (35)

25. Allen Moore (48)

26. Michael Williams, Jr. (46)

In McGrath

27. Jason Mackey (12)

28. Justin Savidis (34)

29. Robert Bundtzen (23)

30. Kelly Maixner (25)

31. Josh Cadzow (55) {R}

32. Jim Lanier (59)

33. Aaron Peck (58)

34. Jessica Hendricks (54)

On the trail to McGrath

35. Wade Marrs (57)

36. Paige Drobny (14) {R}

37. Jodi Bailey (4)

38. Mike Ellis (50) {R}

39. Curt Perano (45)

40. Martin Buser (2)

41. Karin Hendrickson (29)

42. Linwood Fiedler (42)

43. Kristy Berington (20)

44. Anna Berington (31)

45. Travis Beals (22) {R}

46. Louie Ambrose (53) {R}

47. Rudy Demoski, Sr. (39)

48. Richie Diehl (65) {R}

49. Matt Giblin (64)

50. Charley Bejna (15) {R}

In Nikolai

51. Matt Failor (61)

On the trail to Nikolai

52. Cindy Gallea (17)

53. Luan Ramos Marques (47) {R}

54. Michael Suprenant (33)

55. Angie Taggart (40)

56. James Volek (66) {R}      

57. Jan Steves (26)

58. Bob Chlupach (43)

59. Christine Roalofs (37) {R}

60. Mikhail Telpin (63) {R}

61. David Sawatzky (56)

62. Newton Marshall (8)

63. Cindy Abbott (60) {R}

64. Gerald Sousa (49)

SCRATCHED

Ed Stielstra (41)

Scott Janssen (3)