2021 Iditarod Winner Expected to Finish in Deshka Landing Overnight
Three mushers are now back into Skwentna, the last checkpoint of the 2021 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and what is being called this year’s “White Mountain”. Dallas Seavey has a lead of one hour and one minute and that could be all he needs to seal a winning finish. That finish will likely happen in the early morning hours of Monday.
Seavey First Into Skwentna
Dallas Seavey has started his final 8hr rest period at the Skwentna-South checkpoint.
Seavey Holds Slim Lead over Burmeister
Seavey and Burmeister neck and neck into the Skwentna-South checkpoint.
Aaron Burmeister of Nome Is First Into Rohn Southbound as Race Gets Tighter
Aaron Burmeister was the first musher into Rohn southbound this afternoon. He pulled into Rohn southbound at 4:26 this afternoon and he has all 14 dogs on the line. His team has less than 200 miles to go.
Veteran Mushers Kaiser and Dyche Scratch
Peter Kaiser and Riley Dyche scratched from this year’s race last evening.
Aaron Burmeister First to Check Out of Nikolai, Rest of the Top 5 Close Behind
Aaron Burmeister was the first out of Nikolai South. All Top 5 teams have taken their mandatory floating 8-hour rest. Now it is a mad dash to Skwentna, where all mushing teams take another mandatory 8 hour break.
Seavey First out of McGrath
Seavey keeps steady lead, but Sass, Marrs, Redington, and Nome’s Burmeister are hot on his heels.
Dallas Seavey Maintains Lead Into McGrath, 315 Miles to Go
Seavey maintains his lead by a few hours. He still does have to take an eight hour break, as per races rules. He can take that here in McGrath, or in Nikolai or Takotna. Sass must also take that eight-hour layover. Meanwhile, Ryan Redington and Aaron Burmeister, in fourth and fifth positions, have taken that required layover. That could give them a strategic advantage as the race continues.
Seavey Leads Through Ophir-South; Contact Tracing Continues
Contract tracing is underway to identify two mushers in close quarters with Gunnar Johnson. Seavey leads the mushers out of Ophir-South.
Seavey Leads out of Iditarod
Seavey is in first position out of Iditarod, headed back on the Gold Trail Loop to Deshka Landing.