WEBCAMS

MY NEW DISCOVERY: I just found the Tesoro Iron Dog Rules PDF!

WEBCAMS are up for Nome Restart and the Finish at Fairbanks. CAMS are being sponsored by the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce. They seem slow to me when I looked but at least they are working. Maybe they are slow because they are so busy? Anyway, give it a try.

I learned yesterday by reading the Iron Dog Blog comments that Team 23 had trouble with Jeff's a- arm, and Mark had coolant problems before they scratched in Galena.

Iron Dog Start video posted at Doug's Synthetic Lubricants Blog. Check it out.

Nome and Scratches

My daughter Karla's husband Chris on a snowmachine, ha!

So the fast riders have made it to Nome and those with troubles have scratched --- include Team 23. So bummed about that! Not sure what is going on, only saw that they got to Galena - pulling one of the sleds in. First team into Nome was Minnick and Olstad (16). Four teams are there as I type - 16, 8, 22, and 14. 10 and 18 are on the trail to Nome.

Team 21 got their parts and have been back on the trail, right now they are heading for Kaltag.

I tried to find information about required layovers and the rules of the race, but can't find anything. Maybe Tesoro Iron Dog will post those on their website eventually, right now I have no idea what sort of layovers are required, I just keep seeing the racers declaring layovers. Enquiring minds would like to know...

Iron Dog has lost a total of 12 Pro teams so far. 28 Teams continue to run.

I found a fun article online. It's a good one for describing what it's like to race the Iron Dog as rookies. That year, 2005, Team 14 were rookies too and yet they won the Iron Dog, not only beating the veterans but winning despite challenging weather to boot!

The young, up-and-coming team of Marc McKenna and Nick Olstad were able to stave off the host of previous and most experienced Iron Dog winner's to win the 2000-mile race back and forth across the last frontier of Alaska . Up and over 3 mountain ranges and back, team #14 crossed the finish line with a running time of 52:59:40 setting a new course record for this route. Followed by the team of Scott Davis and Todd Palin who crossed only 20 minutes ahead of the third place team of Kenny Kleewein and Randy Hunter.

Just in case you didn't realize - Randy Hunter and Kenny Kleewein of TEAM 21.

Read more about the 2005 Tesoro Iron Dog Race and rookies Skeet Black and Larry Kropp at SNOWMOBILE.OFFROAD.COM

Their story is fun!

Good luck Team 21! Good job to all the front runners.

Can You Imagine?

How tired the guys must be?

Oh my word, they've been riding hard and going so far and still riding HARD! I have been a passenger on a comfy 4-wheeler, gone on long rides on trails and I got sore! These guys, are going lickety-split down rough trails. I bet there are some very cool videos to be had along the trail from these guys flying over it!

I just peeked into Tesoro Iron Dog's updates and was looking at the times. The front guys are just minutes apart. Team 22 (Palin,Davis) and Team 14 (McKenna, Quam) are pretty much traveling together (checking into Ophir at 9:48 and 9:49)! No time for rest. The first two teams (check into Ophir 9:22 and 9:25) are only 23 minutes ahead!

Team 14, McKenna (Anchorage) and Quam (Eagle River) are veterans. McKenna took first in 2002 and Quam was in second place in 2002.

I am so thankful I don't have to do this. ha

Our Team 21 - still getting left behind in Rohn waiting for parts. So sad. Darn! I hope they are getting their parts as I type and can get back on the trail soon.

Team 23 is holding in 11th and continues to run with the fast crowd on the trail to Poorman! GO Team 23!

Tesoro Iron Dog has had one rookie team with troubles on the trail. A rescue was sent out for them. I don't know if that means they got lost or what. They are at a place called Helicopter Lake Cabin with their last check in done at Shell Lake.