Racers head to Skwentna for final push before Iron Dog finish
As Iron Dog racers zero in on the finish, the front of the pack remains a close race that promises an exciting sprint to the end at Big Lake on Saturday.
Team 7 arriving in McGrath on Thursday. Chelsea Miller photo
“We actually have two races going on – a race for first, second and third, and another one for fourth, fifth and sixth,” said Iron Dog Executive Director Mike Vasser. “Both of those groups are within an hour and a half of each other.”
On Friday morning, racers were spread out between Ruby and McGrath, with frontrunners Team 7 scheduled to depart McGrath at 11:19 a.m. The day has brought with it improved weather, as racers make their way to Skwentna for a mandatory hold until 11 a.m. Saturday. From there, the 15 remaining teams will have a chance to catch a second wind before the excitement of the final day finish.
Getting this far into the race has been no small feat for the remaining teams. Of 25 teams originally entered, 10 have scratched. Mechanical failures and injuries – most the result of this year’s rough conditions – took out rookies and veterans alike. Kotzebue Team 33 Michael Hensley and George “Radar” Lambert were out on Day 1, less than 80 miles into their race, after Hensley suffered a back injury. Fan favorites Team 37 Mark Fosty and Ben Hildebrand of Canada scratched in McGrath after mechanical problems with their shocks. And on Day 3, past Iron Dog veterans Mike Morgan and Chris Olds scratched after mechanical issues plagued them between Ophir and Galena.
Race organizers faced challenges of their own that they’ve overcome so that the World’s Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race can continue. Days 6 and 7 of the Iron Dog race were a lesson in resiliency, innovation and determination for them.
On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the National Weather Service’s Winter Blizzard warning nearly grounded racers in Nome for an extra day of layover. However, race marshals watched weather windows carefully and were able to get racers back on the trail as scheduled. By re-starting the race just two hours earlier, they were able to avert the worst of the storm and get racers off the coast before high winds brought big sea waves that blocked sections of trail along the coast.
“We waited very late to make that call, and I was skeptical at first,” Vasser said. “But did it end up being the exact right call? Yes, it did.”
Day 7, Thursday, Feb. 23, presented a whole new set of challenges. With most racers holed up in Galena taking a layover, their launch times were set to begin Thursday morning. At about the same time, race officials received word that the Poorman checkpoint was low on fuel. Vasser said fairness was his No. 1 goal. He wanted to make sure there was enough fuel for every racer – from the front of the pack to the back – before letting the race proceed. That delayed the restart until 4 p.m. on Thursday.
“We as an organization might have failed in communication with our checkers to make sure they had the supplies that were needed,” he said. “But as soon as we substantiated the quantities needed, the entire Iron Dog team worked to remedy it.”
“While working on the fuel issue, I received a call from Search and Rescue regarding a small child in Elim with life-threatening injuries,” Vasser said. “Because of weather, air support could not ‘get in,’ and they looked to the Iron Dog for assistance.”
With the fuel challenge and hopefully weather behind them – and the little girl getting to a medical facility – Vasser said it’s now back to the race. All eyes are going to be watching the full field; the leaders Team 7, Team 14 and Team 39 are making it exciting. Team 7 continues to dominate, and despite having to break trail on some parts of the course they have still managed to grow their lead by more than 10 minutes. Further back are the rookies, who also are running strong. Who will be the rookies of the year? Keep following to see.
Racers enjoy a late-night steak dinner at the Innoko Lodge in McGrath. Chelsea Miller photo
Racers are expected to arrive at Big Lake at roughly noon on Saturday, and spectators are encouraged to cheer them on. Follow online at our website. To be there in person, go to South Big Lake, on the ice at Susitna Brewing Company (formerly South Port Marina) at 5120 S. Big Lake Road. There will be signs pointing to spectator parking.