Norton Sound 450 Dash to Unalakleet!

With marginal conditions and a looming Iditarod, everyone agrees that heading back to Unalakleet is the best decision at this time. What started as a 450 miles race is now a 40 mile dash to the finish. Strategy is out the window. This is a speed contest. The real strategy is how much teams will push for the finish. The trail is not in bad shape, but it is cold.

Today’s Mushing Weather from Shaktoolik to Unalakleet:

.TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING.
HIGHS 1 BELOW TO 9 ABOVE. NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.  
.TONIGHT...CLOUDY. SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE EVENING...THEN
SNOW LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT. SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO 1 INCH. LOWS
8 BELOW TO 5 ABOVE. NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.

The Unalakleet community is feverishly making lemonade out of lemons as they prep for a finish this evening and a Banquet tomorrow morning. Such a small community doesn’t have the same air service as Nome or Bethel, and all flights Sunday and Monday are overbooked!

Middy Johnson and his crew are doing a good job of keeping everyone posted and up to date on what is happening. Thanks Middy!

Elapsed times yesterday between Unalakleet and Shaktoolik were under or close to 6 hours.

Here are a few stats from last nights run from Unalakleet to Shaktoolik- First is the Start Order for the Restart. Second is the Elapsed Time sorted. Team Kaiser has the fastest time.

Mushers Restart Order and Details

Mushers sorted by Elapsed Time

Mushers sorted by Elapsed Time

Share

NS450 – Purse Update

From the trail-

All mushers will receive $3000 for entering the race and the remaining balance of the Purse will be reconfigured for Finish Positions.

That’s awful nice of those folks who understand the commitment to entering a race. Thanks Norton Sound Dog Club!!

Share

Norton Sound 450 on Hold until 2:00pm- Back to Unalakleet.

From Norton Sound 150:

VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE! The PJM/NS450 committee and the 8 race mushers have reached a mutual decision regarding continuation of the race. With very cold temperatures and stormy conditions present and in the forecast, and with the Iditarod start so close, we have decided to significantly shorten the race course. Our main concern is for dog and musher safety. There will be an official restart in Shaktoolik at 2pm with racers leaving for the finish line in Unalakleet in the order they arrived at 2 minute intervals. It will be a 40 mile sprint to the finish. There will be some adjustment in the purse which will be announced soon.

Share

Norton Sound 150 on Hold until Noon – Weather Hold

From Norton Sound 150-

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
We have decided to put the race on Hold until Noon today. All the mushers are safe in Shaktoolik. High winds and Cold temps have become a factor. At the time of the decision all teams have completed their 18 hours mandatory Layovers prior to White Mountain. We will give another update at 11am or sooner.

I just spoke with Arlene Sookiayak from Shaktoolik. Her updated weather:

Wind North 20, Temp -16, Clear Skies, Drifting Snow. Winds are kicking up the snow so its almost a ground blizzard. She can’t see the hill from her location. We will keep you posted.

Share

NS450 – No Luck Contacting Shaktoolik

Word from the trail is that it is a windy one in Shaktoolik. I’ve been trying to call anyone in Shaktoolik, but no luck yet. If Trackers are correct, teams may be hold out for daylight. This extra break will give Pete and the Team a small advantage by putting their rest aligned with everyone else. Pretty similar to last year when Pete was leading and everyone caught up, in this case everyone has caught up with Dee Dee. The extra break though will make it basically a restart as all of the differentials will have been made up. When this happens it becomes a horse race at the Start, but will filter out as it did during the Official Start in Unalakleet.

I am still trying to get current weather for Shaktoolik. If you are in Shak, give me a call – 545-1999 (Cell)

Go Team Kaiser.

Share