Shageluk

Good Morning Race Fans! Welcome to the Yukon!

I’m not sure how they do it. The mushers I mean. They are putting long miles on the back of a sled that I can’t hang onto on a groomed trail and relating about mushing over “bowling balls.”

AND I AM THE ONE WHO IS TIRED??? Haha!

At this point in the race I struggle to roll out of bed after going late over statistics and of course never taking my eyes off the tracker. It has been long days and short nights. You know how it its, finally shut the computer down, and then before you know it roll out, press go on the coffee maker and try to lift those eyelids open to
“check the tracker” and look at the standings. Press rewind on the tracker… Hmmm…

And of course go to Kaiser Racing!

Well this morning, Pete is in Shageluk and it’s his turn for a break. Once Teams reach Shageluk they can take an 8 hour break. There is a mandatory 8 hour break on the Yukon and often Teams take it in Shageluk before heading North and the trail to Kaltag. Weather cams show an overcast day with temperatures just below freezing and light winds. Not sure what happened to the blizzard. Trail times almost match exactly last year’s times.

The race kind of was a bit more of the same over the night while we slept. Joar was the first into Shageluk maintaining the same 6 mile/45 minute lead over Nicolas Petit since he passed him resting on the trail from Iditarod. (Joar 12:15am, Nic 12:53am)

Jessie Royer, holding a solid third place arrived about 4 hours after Joar. (4:08)

Pete (4:58), Mitch(5:02), and Richie(5:28) arrived into Shageluk about a hour after Jessie.

Run times show Joar, Nic, Pete, Mitch, and Richie having almost identical times. Jessie was about 45 minutes slower over the 54 mile stretch of trail which could be something to take a look at as Teams head North. The next two checkpoints are fairly close together so we will see how speeds are looking which will give us a look at Team health. Especially after an 8 hour rest.

I know we keep saying it, but it is still early in the race. We can definitely see how it is shaping up with Nic an Joar duking it out for the leader, but so much can happen and that’s why you see many Teams starting do what they need to do to advance into the top 5. A mistake by anyone or something unexpected could cause a shakeup at any time. There are a slew of great Teams just behind second group. Redington and Failor are just right there. A short rest would put them right where they want to be just as Mitch Seavey did yesterday. Jessie Royer has decided against an 8 hour and after 4 hours is on the run. Joar took his and is on the trail now also. Another rest strategy chess match!

The other thing to consider right about now is that sleep deprivation can really start to cause issues. Mushers have to be mentally tough to stick to their game plan and whatever sleep they can get will help them. Sometimes, though, mushers do make mistakes which also leads to the unexpected.

Today, as we wait Teams to complete their 8 hour, Nic Petit will enjoy his First to the Yukon 5 course meal and take a break as well. It’s not so often that the meal means a win. It’s bragging rights, but it is just halfway to Nome!

Stay Tuned! Go Team Kaiser!

Share

Never Count a Seavey Out…

Here we go again! It’s night. It’s the Iditarod. Weather is looming and Pete and Mitch Seavey are within sight of each other. Veteran Kaiser Fans, close your ears, because I have mentioned it over and over… BUT IT’S A GREAT STORY!!

In 2012 over the ice on the trail to Koyuk, Pete was following Mitch Seavey on the trail. In that stretch of the trail it is just a monotonous blend of stars and lights and black. And Pete dozes off and falls completely asleep. Call it Kaiser Pilot… The Team just goes one with their leader fast asleep and passes Mitch. Completely oblivious to it! Haha!

Tonight Pete and Mitch are at it again with Richie right on their heels. Richie has had some of the fastest times on the trail so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take the lead over this stretch into the Yukon drainage. It is 54 miles to Shageluk through the night. Visibility is going to be challenging and just making it through to the village will be quite a feat tonight.

At the front of the pack, Joar has his hands full with Nic Petit off a longer than normal 5 hour break. Petit’s time was quick down from Ophir with no rest. We are going to see how this goes. Poor Joar! Once again he is breaking trail during a snowstorm.

This next stretch of trail should give us an idea of true speeds on the trail. Teams will more than likely take breaks in the village checkpoints. Shageluk, Anvik, and Grayling are so close together that we will be able to see point to point times and see which Teams are really the ones to beat. Coming down from Ophir, Teams took breaks and a few minutes here and there in a break can give an inaccurate picture of trail speed.

Mushing Weather tonight- A Blizzard- Or at least loads of snow!! (Now we know why the Camera Moved!) Last year’s Iditarod saw few weather events. Not so for this race! The conditions will really cause the Grayling to Eagle Island to Kaltag trail to be challenging. Look for slower times and much drama in the days ahead!

Good Luck Mushers! Go Team Kaiser!!

Lower Yukon Valley-
Including Russian Mission, Grayling, Holy Cross, Shageluk, Anvik,
and Flat
141 PM AKST Thu Mar 7 2019

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AKST
SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow with areas of low visibility. Plan on
  difficult travel conditions. Additional snow accumulations of 3
  to 6 inches are expected. Visibility one half mile or less at
  times.

* WHERE...Along the Nulato Hills of the Lower Yukon Valley.

* WHEN...3 PM today to noon Saturday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Look for reduced visibilities at times.

 

 

Share

Learning and Burning at the Back of the Pack

Victoria, Jessica, and Niklas! Go Kusko!!

The news of the Iditarod is always about what is happening at the front of the pack. I have always said that more needs to be done for those slugging it out just to make it to Nome. The challenge is just as serious. The trail is the same, or often much worse. Consider that a Team running in 40th place has had 39 Teams soften up the trail or make it much worse. Yes, trail breaking is tough, but sometimes the trail is awesome before thousands of paws have run over it.

In this Iditarod we have 5 Teams running. Two very veteran Teams- Pete and Richie. But we also have a trio of Rookies putting a smile on Myron Angstman’s face. This is his dream– Mushing borne in the Kuskokwim showing off to the State and the World. The main stage, if you will.

It has been a tough run for the Rookies and each of them is learning and burning to some extent. I spoke with Debbie Fairbanks, who is spending Grandma time for a couple of weeks in McGrath. She said they all spoke in awe of the “this thing called the Gorge” and “the burn.” They all told her that nothing or no one could have prepared them for the challenge. At one point, sideways on the ice it was close to being put over into a river. A musher just before Nik fell in. Jessica Klejka banged up her knee so bad she could hardly move it. But a bit of snow and ice during a break and the swelling is down and she can move it again.

Victoria told Debbie that she camped one night with Lance Mackey. “He was so efficient,” she said. “He told me I was carrying way too much gear.” “I told him I was carrying snacks and food and stuff” “Too Much,” he said. She is repacking during her 24 hour layover.

“All three are in great spirits,” said Debbie.

Victoria is traveling with two other mushers bringing up the rear of the race, just ahead of the trail sweeps. Jessica is leading our Kuskokwim Teams having arrived into Ophir early this evening, with Niklas into and onto Ophir around 7ish.

We are very proud of these tough young people and sharing the stories with them after the race will be something we are looking forward to.

 

Share

Pete and Richie into Iditarod. Looking at Run-Rest a bit more.

As much as I would like to tell you that I saw the Teams coming into Iditarod in fine shape, I’ll just have to use my imagination and good hard reporting (Which is what I do for the most part anyway) (Smile!)

The thing about technology, and I tell you this as a technology professional, is that if you give someone something they like, when you take it away or it doesn’t work it is OH SO Frustrating!! Consider when you have a cell phone problem it drives you nuts! Same deal! This year we have welcomed the Live Iditarod feeds. It isn’t the first time as they have had them before, but they have been in more checkpoints and it has been truly helpful. Seeing the Teams and getting a look at them really helps us determine how a Team is doing. So, for whatever reason, Iditarod is playing the Iditarod Movie on the Live Feed, and we have missed our Teams coming into the checkpoint. Well, not happy… Okay… Rant over!

From their speeds in from Don’s Cabin (That is the place where Teams camped early this morning) are really good. Pete and Richie arrived together at 4:55pm this afternoon. The 44 mile trip down from the rest took the boys 5 hours 55 minutes, just a few minutes faster than Joar.

Joar is back on the trail after a 4 1/2 hour rest in Iditarod. Our Jackrabbit, Nic Petit is resting 10 miles up the trail from Iditarod. He has no way of knowing that Joar has left, but I’ll bet that we will see these Teams duke it out for the next bit here.

For Pete and Richie, I’d expect a break here.

I have been looking at run/rest stats and they are kind of interesting comparing runs of three mushers, Nic, Joar, and Pete.

Obviously Joar and Pete have a more traditional rest schedule. Nic is trying something that has been done in the past, i.e. long runs, but only for short periods. I think back to Martin Buser pushing all the way to Rohn.

Here are the stats. I’ll let you digest them. It is interesting that Pete has 9 runs to Iditarod, while Nic has 6. Not making any judgements, just looking at the difference and how this is a unique race indeed! I went through the analytics and spent a couple of hours getting the times for you.

Nic Petit

Joar Leifseth-Ulsom

Pete Kaiser

 

Share

Jessica Klejka into Takotna

From Iditarod –

Jessica Klejka made a short stop in Takotna, long enough to offer her dogs a snack, grab a couple things from her drop bag, and snag a bagged lunch from the wonderful folks in Takotna that love to feed the mushers. Her dog team was one of the strongest I’ve seen through the checkpoint, she could easily move up in the pack if her team stays that strong on the coast – and she’s from Bethel, her team is likely to be very strong on the coast.

Jessica is one of the nicest people anywhere and as a Veterinarian, always helpful to Kaiser Racing! Good Job Jess!

Share

Action on the Trail to Iditarod!

Good Morning Race Fans! Welcome to the Race to Unalakleet!

That is where we are this morning. 24 hour layovers complete, the next section of the race will take us out through Iditarod to the Yukon River. Then we will head North through Eagle Island to Kaltag and over the portage to Unalakleet. Mushers will be focused on a different set of challenges for the next few days as they make for the coast and the run into Nome.

While we slept, action is taking place on the trail and it is apparent that the Jackrabbit is still Nicolas Petit. Fresh of a 24 hour rest, he is moving faster than everyone on the trail and also is going to parlay the run into Ophir before his rest into a non-stop run into Iditarod.

Teams leaving Takotna are doing the run broken into two runs. All of the Teams so far are resting at mile 388, with the exception of Petit who arrived at the 388 camp just as Joar was leaving. The race was on at that point with both Teams seeing very comparable speeds, yet at this hour (9:00am) Petit is leading and slowly pulling away.

Aliy Zirkle’s play for Iditarod has cost her valuable time, unfortunately. She also camped at the 388 camp and while other Teams are making that run in about 4 and a half hours, Aliy’s Team made that run in 6 hours. Richie Diehl is having a great race again. His times are some of the fastest on the trail and he made the run in 4:25, about 10 minutes faster than Petit.

It is shaping up to be another exciting day on the trail! Will Petit have enough in the tank to maintain this blistering pace? Or will Joar or Pete or any other of the Teams in hot pursuit hit the coast and make their way to the roses in Nome? Stay tuned!

Mushing Weather for today:

Today-
A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly after noon. Patchy freezing fog before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 34. East wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight-
Snow likely, mainly between 9pm and midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 27. East wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Share