IditaProject Forum

Ralphs dogs has got diarrhea, I don't know about Marit.

Dallas are leaving Karasjok now, an hour after Birgitte. https://www.facebook.com/finnmarkslopet ... 070313456/

Marit had to leave to more dogs with the handlerteam, and then she decided not to continue with only six dogs.

18 year old Hanna Lyrek is doing really well. She is resting a lot, but her lap/leg times are really good!

ikh wrote:And Ralph Johannessen has scratched in Levajok.

Nooo... Darn it.

I’ve admired Ralph ever since 2014 when he finished the Iditarod in 22nd as a rookie. Quite impressive considering he had to take his 24 in Rohn to repair his busted sled after going through the Gorge (putting him in last) and endured the pain of several broken ribs and a clavicle the rest of the race. Oh, and he also broke his nose going across a creek! He doubted he’d ever be back, yet he came back in 2016 and finished 8th, and last year was 17th. He has also won the Finnmarkslopet. Many of his dogs come from Susan Butcher bloodlines (I met her, btw!)

Ralph’s a likable guy - and funny too. I really hope he comes back to Alaska next year.

Alphashe wrote:Marit had to leave to more dogs with the handlerteam, and then she decided not to continue with only six dogs.

Thanks. That's a bit early to be down to six. She is doing so good with a small kennel.. Sad to see her scratch.

According to FLs facebook, estimated finish time is between 2030 and 2130, local time. That is 1530 and 1630 East Coast time.

From Finnmarksløpet's FB page: "Petter Karlsson in the lead is delayed due to an unscheduled mating taking place, and Birgitte Næss is closing in on him from behind, soon arriving in Jotka. Behind them, Dallas Seavey has had a break and Kristian Walseth has caught up with him. This race is very far from over yet, and the result is not given. At all."

What a bad timing for mating.. I just looked at the tracking, Birgitte is really closing in.. Wonder what Dallas is doing, Karasjok to Alta is very comparable to white mountain - Nome.. The top contenders usually don't rest on trail..

Birgitte has passed Petter, but they are very close.. This is going to be a close race.