Nipping at Petit’s Heels, Mushers Strategize Rest to Keep Chase into the Yukon
While Iditarod musher Nic Petit races at the front of the pack, a potentially dangerous group of mushers are preparing to make their move and capitalize on any opportunities.
Nic Petit Is First to the Yukon
Nic Petit was the first musher to reach the Yukon River, arriving in Anvik at 4:23 a.m. Friday morning. It earned him $3,000 and a meal prepared by chefs flown in from an Anchorage hotel.
To Anvik, Ulsom Carries Ashes of the ‘Happy Musher’: Rudy Demoski
One of the Iditarod’s pioneers is taking one last run. Joar Leifseth Ulsom is carrying the ashes of longtime musher Rudy Demoski to leave along the trail. As he prepared to pass through Demoski’s hometown of Anvik, Leifseth Ulsom says he’s humbled.
In Shageluk, Iditarod Leaders Have the Yukon in Their Sights
The Yukon River is in sight for top Iditarod mushers. Shortly after midnight, defending champion Joar Leifseth Ulsom was first into Shageluk as wet snow fell.
After Punishing Trail, Mushers Rest at Race’s Namesake: the ‘Ghost Town’ of Iditarod
As mushers arrived into Iditarod on Thursday, some were in need of rest, describing the trail to the “ghost town” checkpoint as challenging: a soft trail worsened by warm temperatures. “My body is sore,” said Nome musher Aaron Burmeister.
Iditarod 2019, Day 6: Lead Mushers Finish Their 24’s
As Iditarod’s frontrunners finish their mandatory, 24-hour layovers, the mathematics of the leaderboard begin to simplify, and leaders begin to emerge. Explore highlights of KNOM’s Iditarod coverage from Thursday, March 7.
As of Thursday Afternoon, There’s Only One ‘Scratch’ in Iditarod 2019. That’s Unusual.
One abnormality in Iditarod 2019 is how few mushers have scratched: only one as of Thursday afternoon. Bruce Lee, a retired musher and Iditarod analyst, offers possible explanations for why the scratch count in 2019 is (so far) so low.
As 24’s End, Iditarod Leaders Emerge
Aliy Zirkle is the first Iditarod musher to drive her team into Iditarod, the halfway point of the race, where she is now taking her mandatory, 24-hour rest. But some of the other front runners in the race have completed their 24 and are pulling ahead.
Iditarod 2019, Day 5: Deciding on Where to ‘24’
As of 6:30pm Wednesday, the vast majority of mushers in Iditarod 2019 are resting in a checkpoint. Many of them are taking their mandatory, 24-hour layovers. The strategy and rationale of when and where a musher takes a “24” is complicated and often personal. Explore highlights from KNOM’s Iditarod coverage on Wednesday, March 6.
For Some Iditarod Mushers, Takotna’s Familiar Comforts (Pies!) Make it Ideal for a 24-Hour Rest
As Iditarod reaches the stage of the race during which mushers take their mandatory, 24-hour layovers, many choose Takotna: a village that has become famous for its race hospitality.