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Monthly Archives: March 2007

Mackey out of White Mountain

Date: March 13, 2007 at 9:19 am

Lance Mackey and team steamed into White Mountain at the head of the Iditarod pack this early morning at about 1:30 AM to the applause of a late night crowd assembled on river ice. A church bell rang, the traditional signal that a team has crossed the ice from Golovin and ready to arrive in White Mountain. Lance, always a man who enjoys the emotional moment as much as the physical experience, stood by his sled and savored the sound. Optimistic and exuberant, his enthusiasm touches everyone around him including Larry, a serious canine personality who Lance calls the “brains of the team” and Fudge, his black hardworking leader that often runs in partnership with Larry, and his crowd of fans.
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Posted by Joe Runyan in Race Coverage

Eric Rogers scratches

Date: March 13, 2007 at 9:18 am

Iditarod XXXV musher Eric Rogers (Bib # 21) officially scratched at Iditarod Checkpoint at 5pm this evening (March 13, 2007). The Eagle River Musher spent last night at Don’s cabin (which is located between Ophir and Iditarod) suffering from both leg and frostbite injuries. According to Race Officials Rogers’ sled had also been damaged. The rest of Rogers team was in good condition.

Race Officials say that the trail sweeps escorted Rogers to Iditarod where he made the decision to scratch.

Posted by Iditarod Staff in Race Coverage

Gebhardt it to Nome in 2nd place

Date: March 13, 2007 at 9:15 am

Iditarod Musher Paul Gebhardt (Bib # 10) arrived in Nome Alaska at 10:28 pm (Alaska Time) with a crowd of Iditarod 2007 race fans cheering him on. The Kasilof Alaska musher made the trek from Willow to Nome in nine days, seven hours, twenty eight minutes and twelve seconds. Gebhardt is no stranger to top five wins when it comes to Iditarod Races. He has already finished in second and third place. Gebhardt’s efforts netted him $64,300. His team finished strong with ten dogs completing the final sprint from Safety to Nome in three hours and seventeen minutes.

Posted by Iditarod Staff in Race Coverage

Victory in Mackey’s sights

Date: March 13, 2007 at 3:30 am

He would be the third member of his family to claim title

WHITE MOUNTAIN, Alaska — There was a sense of deep strength in Lance Mackey’s string of 11 sled dogs as the team pulled its master to a halt here and church bells pealed in the cold night air to welcome the likely winner of this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Nobody was going to catch this team, and a smiling Mackey knew it, saying he hadn’t seen a headlamp for mile upon mile behind him. He beamed and shook both fists for a second as he listened to the church bells, which always toll at White Mountain to welcome the leading dog team. “This is an emotional moment,” he said. “If I weren’t so damn proud, I’d stand here and bawl.”

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Posted by Jon Little in Race Coverage

Gebhardt chases Mackey to White Mt.

Date: March 12, 2007 at 2:00 pm

KOYUK, Alaska — If Lance Mackey is going to win this race, Paul Gebhardt will ensure he earns it. Both drove relentlessly as the 2007 Iditarod entered its second to last leg.

Lance Mackey didn’t want to give his competitors a chance to even see him as he made the final push to win the 2007 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. After a 12-hour haul here over the sea ice, Mackey rested a scant three hours and moved on down the trail. He took off minutes before Gebhardt arrived.

Gebhardt, in a hurry to load his sled with dog food, cooker fuel and straw to bed down his team, didn’t say much. But he indicated he saw Mackey’s team leave this village. Gebhardt had left Shaktoolik third at 6:25 a.m. and checked in at 12:26 p.m. That was 25 minutes faster than Mackey made it over.

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Posted by Jon Little in Race Coverage

2007 Iditarod in Mackey’s grip

Date: March 12, 2007 at 9:30 am

UNALAKLEET, Alaska — The 2007 Iditarod appears to be firmly in Lance Mackey’s hands as the race hits its home stretch. The son of 1978 champion, Dick, and brother of 1983 champion, Rick, posted the fastest time to Shaktoolik, dropped a dog and merrily bolted back onto the sea ice to Koyuk with a string of 13.

Every one of the other teams in the hunt pulled over. Martin Buser rested two and a half hours; Paul Gebhardt rested three and a half; Jeff King was still parked as I typed this. The bottom line is Mackey now has a nearly four-hour head start and most likely a dog team capable of easily gobbling up the nonstop run to Koyuk.

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Posted by Jon Little in Race Coverage

Mackey and Gebhardt out of Koyuk

Date: March 12, 2007 at 9:28 am

Lead changes, moves in the night, unexpected appearances, and the “Incredible” Lance Mackey’s emergence in Koyuk as race leader have combined to make this year’s Iditarod a memorable down to the wire finish.

We’ve just landed the helicopter after a morning in the air following competitors from Unalakleet to Shaktoolik to Koyuk and beyond.

First, the news roundup of this mornings top ten. Our helicopter saw John Baker, Tolloff Monson, and Ramey Baker enroute from Unalakleet to Shaktoolik across brown, barren, snowless tundra, and finally miles of freshwater glare ice leading parallel to a long spit and the village Shaktoolik. In Shaktoolik, Ed Iten, always a fast late finisher was turning his dogs past the checkpoint and on the trail again towards the sea ice and crossing to Koyuk. AT the same time, Ken Anderson, had decided to layover in Shaktoolik for a short rest and was feeding his dogs, now resting on straw behind the Shaktoolik Armory building.
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Posted by Joe Runyan in Race Coverage

Karen Ramstead scratches in Grayling

Date: March 12, 2007 at 9:27 am

IDITAROD XXXV MUSHER Karen Ramstead, (Bib #36) made the decision to scratch at 7:30 am this morning, (March 12, 2007) In Grayling, Alaska. Race officials say the Perryvale, Alberta musher wanted to be with her family to grieve the loss of one of her team members.

Posted by Iditarod Staff in Race Coverage

Gerald Sousa scratches in Grayling

Date: March 12, 2007 at 9:22 am

IDITAROD XXXV MUSHER Gerald Sousa, (Bib #22) made the decision to scratch at 4pm this afternoon, (March 12, 2007) in Grayling, Alaska. Race officials say the Talkeetna musher sustained a leg injury while traversing through Rainy Pass. After careful consideration, Sousa determined his injury required medical attention.

Posted by Iditarod Staff in Race Coverage

Who’s going to rise to the top?

Date: March 11, 2007 at 11:30 pm

Gebhardt charges out first as top four battle for victory

UNALAKLEET, Alaska — Paul Gebhardt has finished second and third and he doesn’t want to do either again if he can possibly help it. So the Kasilof, Alaska, musher was the first to quietly booty his team of 10 dogs and tell them to get off their straw and go.

And they went. His team left at 9 p.m. with no hesitation, behind lead dogs Houston and Governor. Finally, the musher who’s been the bridesmaid before, and third last year, was leading on the coast. His three closest competitors took their time, but were up and gone within 45 minutes.

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Posted by Jon Little in Race Coverage