03 March 2014

Iditarod Update: Struggling to Slow Down

The usual purpose of a race is to be the quickest from start to finish. But with the trails (on the eastern part of the route, anyway) too icy, the mushers must keep their teams from going too fast.

(Finger Lake, AK) - The word from Iditarod mushers resting here is that the trail is hard and fast, and some are finding it difficult to keep their teams from speeding. (Going too fast now could derail carefully planned tactics later down the trail.)

The ice made it a challenge to put on the brakes, said many, including Willow racer Justin Savidis.
Savidis said he’s been standing on the brakes for much of the race.

“I’ve been on the drag since I left Willow,” Savidis said. “The trick is to keep them to 10 mph. It’s a lot of work.”

“It’s too easy to injure dogs in these conditions, and yourself,” he added. “There’s no sense in taking too much out of the tank right now.”
2014 Iditarod Start Finger Lake Checkpoint
Mike Santos drives his dog team into the Finger Lake checkpoint during the 2014 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Monday morning, March 3, 2014. BOB HALLINEN — Anchorage Daily News

4 comments:

PioneerPreppy said...

Ya know I think every regional or local spot on earth has a place named Finger Lakes.

Rev. Paul said...

Preppy, I think you're right. Out on Adak (Aleutian Islands), there's a Finger Bay.

threecollie said...

Appreciate the updates. Not much coverage here. Thanks

Rev. Paul said...

It's my pleasure, ma'am. Glad you like it!