March 16, 1998

Associated Press Report
Be sure to check previous days' reports for additional race info!

The information void seems to be ending, at least for today as I got several calls from the trail.

From "eyes on" reports, the news is that no one team has emerged as the super team. There are 7 teams capable of doing it! All the teams are healthy and strong and there has not been a spiraling up of one team while the others spiral down. It appears to trained observers that each musher thinks they are in the driver's seat and everyone has a certain air of confidence. Each team is following their needed rest/run schedule and not really keying off what the other guy/girl is doing. Martin and Doug do, however, seem to be doing things most similarly.

The trail beyond Unalakleet is very rough with many sections of bare ground and grass and dog care could become a factor. The snow machiners are traveling on the ice so there has been little travel on the overland Iditarod Trail. Once mushers get beyond Elim the snow on the trail increases. Contrary to some of the talk, overflow (water on top of ice) does not appear to be a big problem.

1,000 caribou passed through Unalakleet a few days ago so they don't have to worry about getting in the middle of a caribou migration. Although coming into Unalakleet, DeeDee did get tangled up in a driver less 6-dog team. Seems one of the locals wanted to be the pace car but couldn't hang on to his own team. She was very gracious about the incident.

Martin left Unalakleet in tennis shoes and running pants, with Blondie and Calvin in lead. His annual Norton Sound Face lift used to be compliments of coastal storms and frostbite, now maybe we're starting a new trend -- the Norton Sound Fitness Program. Who knows what the trail holds up ahead but if he can help by running, I'm sure he will!

Happy trails,
Kathy

The start photos are not yet available.

Click here to let us know what you think of our race reports.

Additional sponsorship thanks go out to Big Lake-Susitna Veterinary Hospital, Mrs. C.V. Whitney, Homesteader's Hardware and Lumber, Northern Outfitters, Wes' Small Engine Repair, the Buser Booster Club, Trapper Creek Sausage, Maurice Cocquyt, Jr., Bill and Pamela Wood, Char and Jon Van Zyle, and our kennel crew, Larry Fisher and Matt