Category Archives: Iditarod

Kusko Boys into Finger Lake

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Pete, Richie, and Mike Jr. were into the Finger Lake checkpoint this morning after 6am. As I indicated last night he was staying clear of the checkpoints to stay focused on the race. When interviewed by the Insider crew this morning, they asked him about it and, “You still found me” was his response 🙂

Once the Race is On, Pete puts on what I call his “Race Face” and its best to stand back let him go. He is counting minutes and everything he does has a definite purpose. Once a bit of sleep deprivation fades in, it becomes all too important to try to keep focused on those minutes.

One thing that I had really been wanting for years following the race was just a Live Camera at the checkpoint. Well the Insider now has it!! You can watch a checkpoint and see Teams come through live. Awesome! The Insider really is worth it now that we can be there in person “virtually!” I just watched John Baker sign it to Finger Lake.

Here are the Finger Lake Stats for the Kusko Teams:

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Mushing Weather for today-

NWS Forecast for: Susitna Valley
Last Update: 447 AM AKST MON MAR 7 2016

Today: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s to lower 40s except in the 20s toward the park. Variable wind 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers. Lows 10 to 25 above…coldest toward the park. Variable wind 10 mph.

 

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In and Out Burger? No time! Out of Skwentna

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I was just not getting the vibe that Mr. Kaiser was so far back. Team Kaiser arrived into Skwentna in 18th position but didn’t need to take a break in the checkpoint because those chores were already done. Many of the Teams are doing the same thing to stay out of the hustle and bustle of checkpoints close to Anchorage. Tourists and well wishers mean well, but this is a high stakes cat and mouse game and sometimes it’s best just to eat your meal on the trail. I can just see Pete munching on a few slices of Doug’s homemade pizza out on the trail. Doug made sure he had a few before he left on the trail.  Can’t get better than that! Thanks Doug!

See Ya in the Morning!

IN 3/6 23:20:00 16 dogs

OUT 3/6 23:25:00 16 dogs

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Sunday Evening in Yentna

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Pete and the Team are in and out of Yentna! They arrived at the first checkpoint 42 miles from the Starting Line at 18:11 and left a minute later. His speed looks real good, although the Tracker seems a bit sporadic right now.

Sebastiane Schnuelle is posted a photo above of a chewed up bootie in Yentna. Apparently the trail is a bit hard and the temps will make it just like coarse sand.

The next leg of the trail will lead mushers into Skwentna 30 more miles down the trail. Weather is still good and a hard trail will make this run pretty quick and we should see him check in before its time to head off to bed.

From Iditarod:

From Yentna Station to Skwentna is all on the Yentna River, with the last few miles up the Skwentna River to the checkpoint. The river stays between well-defined banks for about five miles upstream from Yentna Station, and also for the last 15 miles into Skwentna. In the middle 15 miles it branches out into a maze of channels and sloughs, any of which can have a trail for local traffic. This is normally a fast run with no hills, provided the trail is in good shape; most teams make the leg in three to four and a half hours.

 

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2016 Iditarod is Underway!

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Another beautiful day in Willow for the Restart of the 2016 Iditarod Trail Race. We all arrived at Willow Lake about 11am this morning to cheer on our favorite musher, Pete, and his compadre’s Richie Diehl and Mike Williams Jr.

Pete had a few butterflies this morning when he awoke in Wasilla, but the sound of Teams barking and well wishers stopping by to give last minute greetings made nervousness turn into eagerness. He was really ready to get out on the trail– The sound of the runners on the snow, the barking of the Team– It all makes sense for him out on the trail.

Team Kaiser was out of Willow right on time – 2:22pm as the 11th departure from the Starting Gate again announced by Bethel’s own Andy Angstman. Family friend Rick Hanson said this is his 7-11 Team. 7th race with Bib number 11.

One person was not happy to have this underway– Little Ari wasn’t a happy camper at the Starting Line knowing that his Daddy will be away from home for a bit over a week. Don’t worry Ari! Team Kaiser will bring your Dad back home safe and sound. The Kaisers have a very strong family and hugs and kisses were passed out to our favorite musher to give him some strength and stamina on the trail.

One unforgettable moment was when Judy Currier showed up to wish Pete and the Team well and all of her former Team jumped up and gave her a welcome lick. Judy’s work is responsible for several Team members and her advice and tutelage has been a crucial part of Kaiser Racing success.

Here are photos from today’s Starting Line Action. Presently Pete and the Team are into Yentna Station on the way towards the Alaska Range.

Go Team Kaiser!

Tonight’s Mushing Weather Forecast calls for almost perfect weather with a Half Moon on the Trail–

Detailed forecast for Susitna Valley
Tonight
Mostly clear. Lows 10 to 15 above except zero to 5 above toward the park. Variable wind 10 mph.
Monday
Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 30s except in the 20s toward the park. Variable wind 10 mph.
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The Trail to Nome Starts Today!

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Good Morning Race Fans!

We are all headed up to Willow this morning to cheer on Team Kaiser as they head out for Nome! The 2016 Iditarod begins this afternoon at 2:00pm sharp where we will listen to Bethel’s own Andy Angstman call the Restart on Willow Lake.

Parking is expected to be at a premium as it always is, so get ready if you are able and join us!

The Team has spent the last several days at the Doug Dorland ranch in Palmer, but before too long, they will hear the Gee Haw let’s get out of Dodge and spend the next week or so on the trails of Alaska.

Go Team Kaiser!! See Ya Soon!

 

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Mike Williams Jr. – 2016 Iditarod Ceremonial Start

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It is always great to see Mike and his family at the Starting Line. Though Mike Sr. no longer races competitively, it is wholly a family affair. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and Akiak, Alaska is very proud of Mike Jr. and we look forward to an exciting race from the Team! Here are Mike Williams Jr.’s Starting Line photos. Take a look at him schooling up the Governor, Bill Walker, on the in’s and out’s of sled dog Mushing! Go Mike!

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2016 Ceremonial Start – What a Beautiful Day for a Race!

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The weather this morning was absolutely perfect for fans and mushers to celebrate Mushing in the last frontier. Temperatures in the mid-twenties and a partly cloudy sky made for a fun morning on the streets of Anchorage. Team Kaiser was up early after the traditional get together last night at Dan and Sharon Boyette’s home in South Anchorage. The past few years with bib numbers further down in the starting order made for a bit of a wait before heading out on the ceremonial trail. This morning made for a bit of a rush as Pete and the Team left out on the trail at 10:22am. A quick gulp of coffee and it was off to the Start Line.

This isn’t Pete’s first rodeo, so he kept it pretty relaxed as friends and family stopped by to give him their will wishes and snap a few photos. This year Ron had to sit out the ride on the second sled due to an injury, so Lucas Salzbrun took to the runners as he did during the Denali Doubles last month in Cantwell.

Generally the leisurely Eleven miles to Campbell Creek is a relaxed jaunt through the streets and Trails of Anchorage. Pete reports that this might be referred to as the terrifying three, as all of the excitement of the traditional trail was packed into the short run with sharp turns, icy trails, and other heart pumping action. Our Iditarider and crew survived the action and we will have GoPro footage to share of the event.

Here is the album from the Team Kaiser Start. Fellow mushers Richie Diehl and Mike Williams Jr. were 38 and 40 respectively and we have a few photos from their start that we will share later as well. Next stop Willow to get this party started and start heading for Nome!

Go Team Kaiser!

 

 

 

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