Monday, March 14, 2016

The end is almost in sight

The top four are in and one already out of White Mountain. Aliy has held on to her 4th place--that four hours she lost in the Nulato incident could have had her in the first two or three but it is what it is. She will likely end up with top five finishes in the last five years' races. That is nothing to hide you face about!! Considering the handicap of a team-in-build and the attack, her accomplishment is fantastic.

I think Brent may have made the same mistake that cost Aaron Burmeister his lead lsst year. Both took the 96 miles fro Unalakleet to Koyuk in one straight shot. Brent's team is noticeably slower today, still going good but just not flying.  He did not have to break a snowy trail like Aaron did the last thirty miles--with Dallas Seavey lurking behind and taking advantage of that!--but both Dallas and Mitch got ahead of him while he tried to catch a quick rest at Koyuk and he could not regain the lead. That's not to say that his dogs can't come out of White Mountain on fire, about an hour and a quarter behind Dallas who just left and forty minutes behind Mitch who will be leaving any moment. Dallas is now driving only seven--which is a pretty marginal team, just one above the mandatory minimum of six. * my bad--minimum is five*.

Someone is likely to cross the finish line in the wee hours tomorrow morning --I will see how it is going about midnight and decide what time to set my alarm for. I have allergy shots at 8:30 tomorrow but just may miss that this once...we'll see.

Aliy came into White Mountain about 3 1/2 hours behind Sass. her team looked great and the vets agreed. Joe Runyon, who was narrating the live video report from Anchorage had nothing but good to say about her and her team. When I talked to him two years ago at his western New Mexico ranch home, he was also very complimentary. He knows and also respects her. As a YQ and Iditarod winner himself back in the 90s he recognizes quality when he sees it! Almost everyone does. She is a fan favorite and widely loved all over the world.

More armchair quarterbacking later or tomorrow. LOL.

Late News Update--Mitch left with ten dogs and a relatively untried leader so who knows what can happen!! He is not talking upbeat or trash--said he had a fifty-fifty chance to win, "I will or I won't." Sass will be out before too long and Wade Marrs, in fifth place, just got in, about three hours behind Aliy so barring major problems, her 4th place--at least--is assured.,

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