16 Teams Depart Kobuk 440 Start in Kotzebue
Sixteen dog teams took off from Kotzebue this afternoon at the start of the 2018 Kobuk 440. Leading the pack across the sea ice was this year’s Iditarod Rookie of the Year, Jessie Holmes. Absent was Kotzebue musher Katherine Keith, although some of her kennel’s dogs will be on the trail.
17 Mushers Registered for 2018 Kobuk 440 (Updated)
Out of the 17 teams currently registered to race the 2018 Kobuk 440 — from Kotzebue to Kobuk and back, starting April 12 — about half are women. With fewer than 20 mushers on the roster, the funds remaining after the champion’s prize will be doled out among the total number of finishers at the end of the race.
Moore, Hall, Neese Finish As Top Three In 2018 Yukon Quest
Moore claims his third Yukon Quest win after finishing first in 2013 and 2014. Third-place finisher Laura Neese arrived into the Whitehorse finish just before 5:00 PST this afternoon.
Moore Rests One Checkpoint Away From Finish, Joined by Last Year’s Champ Matt Hall
Two-time Quest champion Allen Moore checked into Braeburn at 11:07 Pacific Standard Time this morning, for the required 8-hour layover. He’s now just 100 miles from the Whitehorse finish.
Three More Mushers Leave Yukon Quest, Preliminary Necropsy Results on Neff’s Deceased Dog Released
Hugh Neff made good on his intent to scratch upon arriving into Dawson City. One of Neff’s dogs died during the race, and Quest Head Veterinarian Cristina Hansen has released a preliminary necropsy. Hansen believes Neff’s dog Bobby, died from aspiration, when the dog’s airway became blocked by foreign materials such as vomit. Quest staff say final necropsy results are expected to be released one month after the race finishes.
Quest Staff Retracts Musher’s Withdrawal; Paige Drobny and Matt Hall Chasing Moore To Pelly’s Crossing
According to Quest staff, Severin Cathry remains a legitimate competitor in the race and is NOT withdrawn, as was earlier reported. Due to an internal miscommunication, Quest staff believed Cathry had called for assistance, but upon further review, it was found that Cathry never sent an SOS and, therefore, continues to race.
Three Mushers Yet To Reach Dawson City, While Moore Finishes 36-Hour Layover and Presses Onwards
Allen Moore has completed his 36-layover in Dawson City while three mushers have yet to reach the halfway checkpoint. According to the leaderboard, Moore was already back on the trail headed towards Pelly Crossing at 8:30 am PST.
Moore Extends Lead As Five Teams Begin Mandatory 36-Hour Layover in Dawson City
When asked about keeping the lead to the 2018 Yukon Quest finish line, Allen Moore said, “I’ve been first here before and been beat by 26 seconds. If things keep going the way they are, I’ll have a good chance. But there is 500 more miles to go, and anything can happen.”
Roster Is Set for 2018 Yukon Quest; After Final Deadline, 26 Mushers Are Registered
There are a total of 15 veterans and 11 rookies signed up to run the 2018 Yukon Quest; that’s five more mushers than last year’s race. The 35th annual Yukon Quest is scheduled to start on February 3rd.
Yukon Quest Registration Deadline Looms, 25 Mushers On List for 2018 Race
The deadline to register for the Quest is December 1st at midnight, after that point there will be additional fees for interested mushers. February 3rd is the start date of the 2018 Yukon Quest.