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)

Lance Mackey to Train Jamaican Dogsled Team

A press release posted on Mushing.com announces that 3-time Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey will train Jamaican Dogsled musher Newton Marshall, who finished the Yukon Quest in 2009, to run the 2010 Iditarod.

June 5, 2009
Press Release
Ocho Rios, Jamaica Three-time Iditarod and four-time Yukon Quest champion Lance Mackey will be training Jamaica Dogsled Team musher Newton Marshall as he prepares to race the Iditarod in 2010.

“I was fortunate to have Hans Gatt train me over the past two years and help me finish the Yukon Quest” said Marshall. “Now I will get the chance to work with another champion – he has won three Iditarods! I know I can do this race.”

Marshall successfully completed the Yukon Quest last year in thirteenth place. He was awarded the Spirit of the North Award by the Race Officials of the Yukon Quest. Last week in Jamaica, Marshall was presented with a special award from the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce for his success in dog sledding and the whole team was there with him to celebrate.

“We are thrilled to be working with Lance Mackey’s Comeback Kennels as we prepare for the Iditarod,” said Danny Melville, President and team founder. “The new terrain, dog team, training races and style of Lance and his kennels will all help Newton as he prepares for the Iditarod.”

Marshall and sprint musher Damion Robb both have an impressive schedule of races planned for 2009-10 that will culminate with the Iditarod in March.

“We cannot wait to work with Newton,” said Tonya Mackey of Comeback Kennel, Inc. “He has shown his dedication to the sport of sled dog racing and we are excited to have the opportunity to get him ready for the Iditarod. Plus, we will get to show him some Alaskan hospitality!”

The team dogs in Jamaica are rescued from the streets or from the Jamaican Society for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (JSPCA). A portion of proceeds from the Jamaica Dogsled Tours and DVD sales on the team website benefits the JSPCA. The Jamaica Dogsled Team is sponsored by Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, WestJet Vacations, Alpine Aviation and Annamaet Petfoods.