AFTERNOON UPDATE: Front-runners begin arriving in Kotzebue

Team 14, Bryan Leslie and Casey Boylan, were the third team to arrive into Kotzebue on Wednesday. Photo courtesy: Paulette Scheurch

(KOTZEBUE, Alaska, 4:15 p.m.)  – It was another exciting day of racing on Wednesday as teams 5 and 6 duked it out on Kobuk Lake to see who would arrive in Kotzebue first. Local volunteer and radio announcer Paulette Scheurch gave the blow-by-blow to excited KOTZ radio listeners as at 3:07:56 p.m. Team 6 pulled into the checkpoint. Team 6 Brad George and Robby Schachle got there with the narrowest of leads. Team 5, Brett Lapham and Zack Weisz clocked in at 3:08:54, just 58 seconds behind their competitors.

 Scheurch said Kotzebue is excited to host the racers once again this year. A long list of community volunteers is helping to run the checkpoint, and local businesses and organizations pitched in to make sure the racers are well fed. 

 “We will have sandwiches for them to take a quick bite when they get in because the hotel restaurant doesn’t open until 5 p.m.,” Scheurch said.  “But Northwest Electric, Northwest Arctic Borough, City of Kotzebue, Alaska Commercial Co. and NANA Regional Corp. donated the dinner and breakfast.”

 By 3:20 p.m. Teams 5 and 6 were up at the hotel and ready to rest. Team 6 racer Robby Schachle said he is in a much better position than he was when in Kotzebue for last year’s race. 

 “I ended up scratching here last year,” Schachle said. “I had enough time to get enough sleep and eat in Nome, so we’re feeling good.”

 Zack Weisz of Team 5 noted the dip in temperatures on the Kotzebue Loop, where it was minus 14 degrees F and predicted to drop to minus 20 by Thursday morning. Still, the clear skies made up for it. 

 “I was here last year in the storm, so this is a lot better,” he said. 

 “It’s a lot more fun riding when you can see what you’re doing,” said Team 14 racer Bryan Leslie who with Casey Boylan was the third team to reach the checkpoint, at 3:20:26.

 Scheurch said teams will continue to arrive into the afternoon and evening. They can ride around the coast or take the portage into town, and once settled will get another layover to rest up and continue racing in the morning. Iron Dog will release the start list after all teams are in Kotzebue.  

Thanks to the Kotzebue Volunteer Checkers!

Claude Wilson 

Sadie Wilson

Adrian Wilson 

Adrian Scott 

Paulette Scheurch 

Jade Hill

Jay Sears

Lina Lie 

Paula Octuck

Jessica Walker

 Media Contact: Mike Vasser, Interim Executive Director, Iron Dog Inc., (907) 563-4414 • director@irondog.org