We are now a couple of days into the race and so far it´s been smooth sailing for most. No big storms or other happenings, just a bit warmer than hoped for. For those who know this race, you also know that this can change very fast. However, we don’t want to be the once to jinx it.

A legend in the race is now cheering from the sideline.

Along the trail we meet up with a familiar face within the sport of dog mushing, four-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey. This year, he’s not here as a competitor, but rather cheering on both friends and others on the trail.

As everybody knows, I have other things to deal with. Being the father of two young kids, I just couldn’t do my treatments, raise kids and train dogs. There’s a couple of teams here that have some of my dogs in them anyway. So I’m still a little part of it. 

- Lance Mackey at Crystal lake

Heading towards checkpoint Nikolai

Currently teams are heading towards checkpoint Nikolai. This is the 6th checkpoint on the trail in the Northern Route. Most teams probably being happy that the forecasted rough trails has not showed up (yet).

The current top 10-standing is as following, but it’s still early and a lot can change before we get to Nome:

1 • Aaron Burmeister

2 • Ryan Redington

3 • Richie Diehl

4 • Mille Porsild

5 • Dan Kaduce

6 • Travis Beals

7 • Michelle Phillips

8 • Dallas Seavey

9 • Hugh Neff

10 • Jessie Holmes

Go Here for the full Overview & Tracking