The final two mushers have crossed the finish line at Deshka Landing, and the 2021 Iditarod is now in the history books.
Rookie Dakota Schlosser finished at 12:22 AM with 10 dogs and Victoria Hardwick took the red lantern two seconds later, also with 10 dogs.
The red lantern, for the uninitiated, is kept burning to guide the racers in, and the last one in is said to have claimed it.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
The last two racers arrived in Skwentna early this morning. Victoria Hardwick and rookie Dakota Schlosser arrived just before 7 am, both with 10 dogs. This is their last checkpoint before the finish line.
Three mushers left Skwentna this morning and are en route to the finish line at Deshka Landing:
Rookie Hal Hanson left at 10:12 with 11 dogs.
Larry Daugherty left at 10:54 with 11 dogs
Rookie Will Troshynski left at 10:55, also with 11 dogs.
Everyone else has passed beneath what they are calling the “Unburled Arch” since the real Burled Arch, as you know, is in Nome.
For only the second time in history, a musher has won FIVE Iditarod sled dog races! Congrats to Dallas Seavey for completing the 848 mile race in 7 days, 14 hours, and 8 minutes. He arrived at Deshka Landing this morning at 5:08 with 10 dogs in harness.
Aaron Burmeister finished 2nd, his best race yet. He arrived at 8:23 AM, also with 10 dogs.
Brent Sass finished 3rd, arriving at 9:41 AM, with 13 dogs.
Wade Marrs, currently in 4th place, left Skwentna at 3:42 AM with 10 dogs.
Mille Porslid left two minutes behind him with 9 dogs.
The last racer, Rookie Will Troshynski left Nikolai on the way back to the Start/Finish this morning at 8:43.
I’ll try to keep an eye out for when he finishes, but will no longer be giving daily updates.
If you’re counting on me to track a specific racer, comment below and I’ll let you know their status.
The top two mushers are into Skwentna, the last checkpoint on the way back to Deshka Landing. The others are out of Finger Lake, heading to Skwentna.
Dallas Seavey arrived at Skwentna at 12:44 PM with 10 dogs.
Aaron Burmeister arrived at Skwentna at 1:45 PM with 13 dogs.
Brent Sass left Finger Lake at 9:27 AM with 13 dogs.
Mille Porsild left Finger Lake at 11:25 AM with 10 dogs.
Wade Marrs left Finger Lake at 1:24 PM with 10 dogs.
It’s getting exciting now!
The top five mushers have all passed through the Nikolai checkpoint on their way back to the start/finish line. All have completed both their 8-hour and 24-hour rest periods.
Aaron Burmeister left Nikolai at 2:27 AM, with all 14 of his dogs still in harness
Brent Sass left at 3:25 AM with 13 dogs
Dallas Seavey left at 3:50 AM with 12 dogs
Ryan Redington left at 6:56 AM with 9 dogs
Joar Leifseth Ulsom left at 7:20 AM with 13 dogs
Onward to Rohn!
Dallas Seavey has moved into the lead, arriving at the McGrath checkpoint at 9:32 this morning, on his way back to Deshka Landing. He has 13 dogs in harness.
The remainder of the top five have left Ophir:
Brent Sass at 7:24 AM, with 14 dogs.
Wade Marrs at 8:30 AM, with 12 dogs
Ryan Redington at 10:10 AM, with 9 dogs
Aaron Burmeister at 11:05 AM, with 14 dogs
All five mushers have completed their mandatory 24-hour layover, with Redington and Burmeister having also taken their 8-hour rests.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
The grandaddy of all dog sled races begins this Sunday! The 49th Iditarod race includes 13 women and 34 men, made up of 12 rookies and 35 veterans. Four former Iditarod champions are back in the race and four countries are represented in the field. Five competing mushers have participated in 18 or more Iditarod races.
Here’s what you need to know about the build-up to the big race:
***TONIGHT*** (Thursday, March 4, 2021) Pre-Race Show at 9 pm Eastern. Broadcast free on Iditarod.com
Friday: Rookie Musher Panel at 8 pm Eastern, Women in Mushing Panel at 9 pm Eastern. Both require a subscription to Insider Ultimate PLUS on Iditarod.com Continue reading Everything Iditarod
Meet Chica! Chica, a young Husky mix, had her babies and was an excellent mother. Now she’s ready to find a home of her own. She’s a beautiful husky, very shy and sweet, just overall a beautiful soul. She is house trained and good with other dogs and children. She is currently in the care of Loving Companions Animal Rescue in North Pole, Alaska.
If you live near the North Pole, first of all, put in a good word for us with Santa. Then go meet Chica and all of her friends.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
I just realized I never let you know that the Yukon Quest is officially over.
The Yukon News reports that Alaskan musher Olivia Webster is the 2020 Yukon Quest’s red lantern, crossing the finish line in Whitehorse at approximately 8 p.m. on Feb. 15. The rookie is the granddaughter of Leroy Shank, one of the founders of the Yukon Quest, who was at the finish line to show his support.
The “red lantern” indicates the last musher to cross the finish line. Until that team comes in, a red lantern remains lit at the finish line to guide the mushers home.
Congratulations to all who participated.
Next up: the granddaddy of them all: the Iditarod! It begins with a ceremonial start on March 7th, followed by the real start on March 8th. I can’t wait!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
The top 20 racers have passed under the burled arch, with Joar Leifset Ulsom taking the win. He took 9 days and 12 hours to complete the 998 mile trek.
In second place, Nicolas Petit finished in 9 days, 14 hours and 15 minutes, while Mitch Seavey crossed the finish line in 9 days, 17 hours and 11 minutes.
Ray Redington, Jr. was 4th, and Peter Kaiser was 5th.
Congratulations to all who competed!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!