Aaron Burmeister may have been the first musher to the coast, but Dallas Seavey is now in front on the way to Nome—and while it’s a lead that’s gone back and forth across the coastal checkpoints, it’s one the race’s defending champion has held since leaving Unalakleet Sunday afternoon. KNOM’s Matthew Smith has the story from the trail.
It all comes down to speed: covering the nearly 140 miles from Unalakleet to Koyuk, Seavey averaged a speed of 6.8 miles per hour—while Burmeister moved at less than 6.5 miles per hour. A slim margin that, mile after mile, adds up to Seavey holding several-mile lead over Burmeister into Elim late Monday night.
Seavey moved into Shaktoolik late Sunday night and began a several-hours’ rest. By 3:30 early Monday morning, Burmeister has passed through Shaktoolik to regain the lead—but fresh snow meant slow going and exhausting trail breaking.
Seavey took the lead again just miles before the Koyuk checkpoint. Despite following Burmesiter’s trail breaking, Seavey told APRN contributor Emily Schwing in Koyuk Sunday that being the first on the coastal trail has its advantages.
“I think Aaron had it easier, honestly. I passed him right before we came in here, and I think the trail was easier in front. I think it’s going to get progressively worse and worse as the teams go through that trail,” said Dallas Seavey. “Usually it’s actually easier for the first team to a trail, for the early teams. That’s why teams race to the front, it’s because the trail is generally better.”
None of the current top five mushers can rest easy, though—Mitch Seavey is moving just as fast as his son along the final miles to Nome—and mushers Jessie Royer and Aliy Zirkle are racing strong and could easily move within the top 3 along the final miles.
Again, Seavey in Koyuk speaking to APRN’s Emily Schwing, said, “Of all people I should know it’s not over ‘till it’s over, after how it went down last year.”
Both Burmeister and Seavey departed Koyuk with 11 dogs—Seavey just before 5 o’clock Monday night, and Burmesiter just over an hour later.
If their pace holds, the leading mushers should arrive into White Mountain Tuesday morning—where they’ll take a mandatory 8-hour rest before the final leg to Nome.
