ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:

[asabergamaschi]

i think it's gonna be buser. his dad is pretty good

[mamamia]

NO CONTEST: WILLIAM KLEEDEHN
2. Buser

Those who know Kleedehn expect him to TOP 10 or at least top 20.

Mountainmomma, I was all ready to nominate William Kleedehn until I saw and interview with him where he said that he was taking it easy because his team was young and he wanted to set them up for future success in the race. His race history is sooooo impressive (you all should check out his website) but that comment about taking it easy made me change my mind mind. Do you know something that you should share with us? Maybe you have heard the old saying, "when is a musher lying? When his lips are moving." Do those who know him expect him to do more than "take it easy"? After all he is a veteran of how many Yukon Quests? 6? 8? Maybe his definition of "taking it easy" is different from the usual Iditarod musher. Maybe by taking it easy he means a top 20 rather than a race for the front. Usually when a musher talks about "taking it easy" with a young team in this race they mean back of the pack with their goal being to get the whole team to Nome. Do share what you know because I will change my ROTY in a heartbeat!

[oddjob]

Hi, I will give my cheers to Molly. Last year Sigrid was ROTY, and Molly seems to have the same story.

[tanglefoot]

havnt hear dmuch about rick before this year but seems from what i have heard he.s a nice guy how is another newbie dirty jacket renegade who might just sneek up and whoop some arse... had a few emailings with him and am really pleased to see hes doing so well...

come on lad!

GO RICK GO

[Moose]

It looks like the ROTY might come down to a shoot-out between Rohn Buser and William Kleedehn...but Rick Holt could still make his move. Go Rohn! Go William! Go Rick!

[Breeze]

it is looking like a shoot-out between Rohn Buser and Bill Kleedehn. Awesome running from both of them! Imagine 2 rookies looking at possible top 20 placements with the huge depth and strength of this year's entrants????

WOW and Mush ON!

Breeze

[tanglefoot]

i think everyone has been having a great race judging by the times. could we have a record for fastest red lantern this year?

rick did say if he got so far and the dogs were feeling good he'd go for it! go rick go!

[tilstede]

My ROTY-pick Benoit Gerard is currently leaving McGrath and is second best out of CP.

His team are made up of John Baker's youngsters, so you might say he is touring theTollef Monson's team (who was Baker's yonstermusher last year).